52 Mr. Stokes' Observations on Volvox Globalor. 



Their spines were clearly developed, and appeared more closely set 

 than in the specimens usually met with; and this circumstance, connected 

 with their darker colour, suggests the idea, that the outer membrane or 

 integument of the animal is distended as it increases in size. The parent 

 animal was unusually large and transparent, and almost colourless, as if 

 by distention, and the spines were proportionately more distant so as to 

 confirm this supposition : its motion was much more languid than usual. 



After a time the glass, containing this individual, was removed in order 

 to place other objects under the microscope. It was soon however 

 remarked, that two of the small ones were separated and moving 

 about in the glass, which was in consequence immediately replaced for 

 observation. The larger Volvox now shewed an opening or laceration on 

 one side, which was always hindmost as the animalcule moved ; and its 

 shape was as here represented. 



The other two small ones soon passed through the opening, when they 

 immediately moved freely in the usual manner of these animalcules, and 

 with a rapidity strongly contrasted to the languid motion of the parent, 

 which continued to move as before, and its transparency was such, that it 

 was notpossible to definethe edge of the lacerated part between the spines. 

 ITie closest attention and variation of the light did not detect any 

 appearance whatever of internal organization. After an hour had elapsed 

 the observations were discontinued, but during that period the motion 

 was uninterrupted, and there did not appear any tendency in the laceiated 

 part to collapse or alter its form. On examining many individuals which 

 contained young ones of different sizes, it appeared that the young pro- 

 ceeded from points on the internal surface, to which, as in other 

 gemmiparous animals, they remained attached while continuing to grow. 

 The number of young varied in different individuals, from two to five. 



W. J. B. 



