292 GASTEKOPODES. 



The other specimen, also consisting of a surprising quantity, and of 

 much the same character, was deposited on the exterior of an old oyster- 

 shell. It was little inferior in extent, and consisted of many convolu- 

 tions, in more picturesque form, and formed a beautiful aggregate of 

 frills. Plate XLIII. fig. 3. But I could not ascertain whether the parent 

 was the Doris argo or the Doris verrucosa, though some inclined to ascribe 

 it to the latter. This beautiful specimen occurred likewise in the month 

 of February. 



The margin of all this kind of spawn is thick, transparent, and dis- 

 tinct ; nothing is lodged in it. The ova are contained amidst the albu- 

 minous matter, lower in the ribband. 



In some parts of the former, the young were far advanced, when it 

 resembled the texture of the finest lace. Plate XLIII. fig. 4. 



More than one ovum had a place in the thickness of the spawn ; all 

 were arranged in lines and curvatures, but without any regularity there 

 or in their dimensions. 



The contents of the ribband are sometimes very distinct. Plate 

 XLIII. figs. 5, 6. Also, where the young are seen in the ovum, it some- 

 times appears to contain two. Yet this may be a deception, if a single 

 embryo naturally belongs to the animal, as is probable ; for the separa- 

 tion of the two integuments may be imperceptible. 



In the second deposit above mentioned (fig. 3.), as it advanced gra- 

 dually to maturity, the Nautilines became more and more distinct. They 

 were better seen than in any preceding spawn ; and here was an instance 

 of two in some, and three in others, occupying single ova. 



A portion of this being cut off with scissors, it was subjected to the 

 microscope. A singular scene was disclosed. The most mature part 

 consisted of perfectly transparent capsules, quite spherical, all apparently 

 connected, because deposited amidst albuminous matter. The whole 

 appeared merely white specks to the naked eye. 



A spherical integument evidently formed each capsule, including 

 two or three Nautilines, which were in the greatest activity ; a few had 

 only one, and a solitary capsule contained four. Their form was clearly 

 defined ; their activity very great within, equally as after liberation. 



