Dr. Dekay on the Pennatule Fléche. 87 
some undressed cotton purchased for domestic purposes, 
was planted in a garden, having a N. W. exposure. The 
plants came to maturity rather better than was expected, 
but the staple was very fine and abundant, so that articles 
of domestic use such as stockings, gloves, &c. &c. were 
manufactured from it. It is probable that if these plants 
had received proper attention and been placed in a favoura- 
ble situation, the produce would have been much greater. 
ZOOLOGY. 
~—e— 
Art. VIII.— Observations on the Pennatule fléche (P. sagit- 
ta of La Marck,) in the cabinet of Dr. Mitchill.—By 
James E. Dexay, M. D. 
Dr. Mircuiuy was so obliging as to submit to my in- 
spection an animal found adhering, to the Diodon pilosus of 
that gentleman. From its feathery appearance it was refer- 
red to the Pennatula of La Marck, species Sagitta, but it 
neither corresponded to the character of the order (Polypi 
natantes) nor to that of the genus. 
It appears that La Marck had described it merely from a 
figure by Esper. He mentions that Pallas was so doubtful 
with respect to its place in this genus, that he had not des- 
cribed it. Its want of an “ axe organique’ or internal bony 
substance was probably the cause. 
Linneus had placed this animal under the genus Lernea, 
but Cuvier pronounces perhaps too decisively, that it must 
be considered as belonging to the genus Calygus of Miller, 
which is included under Order Crustacea Branchiopodes : 
this is so palpable a blunder that it is very evident he had. 
never seen the animal. 
In another part of his work, speaking of this and another 
animal he says, ‘Ces sont des animaux parasites, voisin 
en partie des Calyges, en partie des Lerneées mais _nulle- 
ment de pennatiles, Le pennatule sagitta d’Esper est 
tout autre chose que celui de Linneé peutétre est, ce, un 
Nephtys.” This however, it cannot be from its want of 
Gills and horny jaws. 
