REPRODUCTION OF ACTINIA MESEMBRYANTHEMUM. 161 



tacle and its contents in a watch-glass. Scarcely had 

 it fallen there when a large embryo was discharged, 

 and immediately afterwards two active corpuscula 

 also escaped from the section ; the former laid still ; 

 but the latter, of a reddish colour and globular figure, 

 exhibited much activity in rotatory and progressive 

 motion, describing an orbit, and revolving as if on 

 an axis. 



These corpuscula are the embryo Actiniae in an 

 early stage. Nothing can be so unlike the race : their 

 form is such as almost to defy description. 



All are red, opake, solid, some flattened, some elon- 

 gated, some with irregular prominences, as if com- 

 posed of two or more unequal spheres. Their motions 

 are no less diversified, being evidently affected by 

 considerable specific gravity, and regulated by cilia 

 that surround their circumference, whatever be its 

 outline. 



A satisfactory view of the embryonic corpuscula may 

 be obtained by amputating the tentacula; but they 

 generally perish in a few days, whereby the purpose of 

 lengthened observation is defeated. In order satis- 

 factorily to trace their progress, it is necessary to wait 

 for their escape from the body of the parent animal 

 in a more natural manner. 



This species of Actinia is viviparous. It produces 

 its young alive through its mouth ; and as the half- 

 digested food is disgorged by the mouth not with- 

 out effort we might presume that, in consequence, 

 the young* are sometimes disgorged with it. In fact, 

 a specimen figured by Sir John Dalyell, having had a 

 copious meal of an embryo skate, retained the food 



