50 ECHINODERMATA. 



brief survivance of this specimen unaltered, I began to entertain expecta- 

 tions that Nature had something in preparation here. Such, indeed, 

 would be a wonderful effort : yet, during subsistence of the vital prin- 

 ciple, her energies are incessant and inexhaustible. 



Mutilation had occurred on the fourth of December. From the 

 fourteenth of that month, the body remained stationary, rather lower 

 than the surface of the water, only extending itself on replenishment of 

 the vessel a precaution never to be neglected in any circumstances. 

 Even then every foreign substance, on reaching the villous coating, was 

 retained as firmly as before. 



On the twenty-fifth of February, or eleven weeks subsequent to the 

 date of mutilation, reproduction had made advances, short, transparent, 

 regenerated tentacula were displayed ; but very bare in comparison with 

 their precursors and the luxuriance of maturity, for they had only a 

 few lateral twigs. All were speedily withdrawn. Nevertheless, enough 

 was discovered to prove that the subject had not sustained any essential 

 injury, from the violent disruption of so large and important an organic 

 mass. 



In the course of time some vermiculi had found harbour in the ves- 

 sel, and about the animal itself, which might be injured by their decay. 

 Their presence might also restrain the display of the regenerating parts. 

 By artificially vitiating the water with slight putrescence, all these noxi- 

 ous visitors were induced to forsake their haunts, and, rising to the sur- 

 face, could be readily removed. 



On the 27th of the month, the new tentacula were fully exhibited, 

 when they consisted of eight, the proper complement, besides the two 

 antennulae, all rising from a short white regenerated cylinder. Each ten- 

 taculum extended about nine lines, or three quarters of an inch, and was 

 provided with 16 or 18 subordinate twigs : the whole quite colourless, 

 but distinctly seen while slowly withdrawn, Plate X. In another week 

 they exceeded an inch. During the subsequent fortnight their progress 

 was still more rapid, as they could not have been inscribed in a circle of 

 less than three inches diameter. Their structure had become more com- 

 plex, they were discovered waving in their element, and they were tinged 



