264 MISCELLANEOUS. 



9. SpiiyERULA. Plate XXXVI. Figs. 3, 4. 



The nature of this animal is very perplexing. If those I have seen 

 be adults, there seems no place in any genus incorporated in the Systema 

 Natures for its reception. But it must be remembered, that the young and 

 the adult of many among the lower animals are so unlike each other, as 

 to delude the most experienced naturalist, who may not have had an 

 opportunity for the protracted study of the same individuals. 



Form of the animal spherical or ovoidal, the largest of the latter 

 extending a line. There is an aperture at one end, from which between 

 sixty and seventy fine transparent silky threads are extended, twice or 

 thrice the length of the animal, to affix it to some neighbouring surface. 

 These (which are with difficulty visible) stretch, in all directions, some- 

 times forming a fan, broadening upwards from the aperture ; sometimes 

 circularly, but in general irregularly. In the sun, the integument of the 

 animal is quite smooth and shining, like a shell. 



The motion of the Sphosrula is extremely slow, imperceptible to the 

 eye, and only to be discovered by having shifted its place, wherein it 

 frequently remains very long. None are seen in progress. 



This animal has occurred on the corallines of different kinds. Once 

 ahf ve twenty were found on a lump of scoriae from the shore. 



It is easily preserved. 



For a long time I supposed it the young of the Echinus ; but my 

 conjecture has not been verified. Plate XXXVI. Figs. 3, 4. 



10. ANIMALCDLA. Plate XXXVI. Figs. 18, 19, 20. 



An immense number and great variety of minute living creatures 

 pass by the general name of Animalcula, whereof the Animalcula infu- 

 soria, so distinguished by a name almost alike general, form by far the 

 greater proportion. 



It is not improbable, however, that with the advance of science and 



