AMPHITRITE. 239 



nucleus seemed to be composed of several smaller globules ; those of 

 others were somewhat elongated : rudely angular in a few ; in many they 

 were not referable to any given form. But, whether such variety was a 

 symptom of advance or decay is doubtful. Plate XXXII., fig. 2. 



Spawning continues during most of summer. Two specimens 

 spawned first in May, in considerable quantity, and afterwards copiously 

 in June. The whole broke up in six or seven days, without any definite 

 result. 



On another occasion, two of sixteen specimens, procured on June 5, 

 were turgid with spawn. They, accordingly, produced a great quantity 

 on the 15th. Here, also, the ova were spherical, with a dark central 

 nucleus, which, in some, appeared elongating within two days. But the 

 whole decomposed immediately afterwards. Thus, in spite of every pre- 

 caution, I have been always disappointed of the progeny of the Amphi- 

 trite bombyx. 



It would be most desirable to ascertain the earliest aspect of such 

 animals. Nevertheless, the accession of parts, both in respect to the seg- 

 ments of the body and the organs composing the branchial apparatus, 

 evidently augments. Being always fewer in the young than in the old, 

 we may question whether any are sensibly different, as the fcetus is libe- 

 rated from the ovum. 



Reproduction. When disappointed of enquiries into one interesting 

 subject, it is gratifying to find satisfactory illustrations of another. 



The present species, in common with the preceding, enjoys the most 

 powerful reproductive energies from the gifts of nature. Those organs, 

 whereof it may be bereaved by violence, or which may be consumed by 

 disease, are completely restored, so that each mutilated animal again be- 

 comes perfect. The plume is subject to gradual deperdition of its pecu- 

 liar parts, the body is liable to privation of the plume, yet the whole are 

 reproduced as if nothing had been deficient. 



A specimen which had been recently obtained, lost the plume com- 

 pletely on the 5th of April. This separated portion, expanding an inch, 

 lay at the bottom of the vessel. The branchiae were partly in circular, 

 partly in lunate order, with the central antennular organs rising erect 



