PELON/EA. Pelonvea cornigata. 

 SEA-SQUIRT. Aseidium hyalinum. BOLTENIA. Boltenia reniformis. 



SYNTETHYS. Syntethys Hebridicus. 

 CYNTHIA. Cynthia, morus. 

 BOTRYLLUS. Botryllus polycychis. 

 CLAVELLINA. Clavellina lepidiformis 



So strange are many of the structures, and so unexpected are many of the habits of 

 these creatures, that zoologists are often in great doubt as to their true position in the 

 natural kingdom. For, while many anatomical details are closely analogous to those of 

 the molluscs, others are equally analogous to those of the higher zoophytes, and it is noc 

 always easy to hold the balances with an even hand. 



In these curious beings we find the first indications of propagation by buds springing 

 from the body of the parent just as a bud springs from the branch of a tree, and the 

 perplexing alternation system is sometimes found in the Tunicata. Both these systems 

 will be explained when we come to describe the zoophytes. 



Without enumerating the various details of anatomical structure in these creatures, 

 we may mention that the animal is composed of two sacs, one inside the other, and that 

 the functions of nutrition and respiration are performed, as in the bivalves, by means of 

 two orifices, one of which admits and the other expels the water, which laves the 

 respiratory apparatus and brings food to the organs of nutrition. 



In our present arrangement, which is that followed by Mr. Woodward, the Tunicata are 

 divided into three families, easily distinguishable by the eye. The members of the first 

 group are called Solitary Ascidians, those of the second Social, and those of the third, 

 Compound Ascidians, their characters being sufficiently explained by their names. The 

 name Ascidian is of Greek origin, and is the diminutive of a word signifying a water 

 skin, such as is used in the East. 



