MISCELLANEOUS. 2G1 



Twenty years later, six specimens were obtained on the Isle of May, 

 not less than thirty miles distant, and from the whole I have been able 

 to gain some slight acquaintance with this singular animal, singular, be- 

 cause human vision can scarcely discover what is of sufficient size to ex- 

 pose every feature. Hence it is that there must be always slight discre- 

 pancies between the drawings of different artists. 



This animal is towards an inch in length. It might be inscribed in 

 a triangle. The head is forked or cleft, furnished with two long antennae 

 issuing from the sides, between the roots of which, or somewhat behind 

 them, are two black eyes, rather oval, and probably compound. If the 

 body is divided into segments, they are invisible from transparence. If 

 so, the segments consist of a central portion, as the central part of the 

 Nereis, and a long arm, an integral part towards each side, gradually shor- 

 tening from the middle to the lower extremity, which is pointed. To- 

 wards this extremity they degenerate into mere stumps, which seem to 

 be successively developed as arms. Sixteen or seventeen of these arms 

 were conspicuous in fig. 17, and fourteen or fifteen in fig. 16. In some 

 others were four or five or seven pair of limbs or arms. The extremity 

 of the limb is cleft, and terminates in two portions like hollow walnut 

 shells, fig. 11. To some of the artists the termination seemed a pencil. 

 An intestinal organ traverses the whole length of the body. 



This animal is absolutely colourless ; it can be distinguished from 

 the water only when in particular positions, and under a particular inci- 

 dence of the light. 



It swims horizontally, and then partly by faint undulations. In 

 this position the greater convexity of the back, and slighter convexity of 

 the belly, are sensible. It always seeks the higher part of the water, near 

 the surface, like the Medusa?, keeping the antennas recurved. 



I sometimes believed that segments were indicated on the under 

 surface ; that the whole was crossed by wrinkles which were effaced on 

 extension ; and one of the cleft extremities of the limb also seemed to 

 move as if by a joint ; and the hollows of some contained a minute yel- 

 low body like an ovum. 



The animal is rather of a gelatinous appearance. It can be preser- 



