REPORT ON CEPHALODISCUS DODECALOPHUS. 27 



related that they are generally removed together in dissection. No nerve-fibres could be 

 traced from the central organ to these organs, though appearances were favourable to 

 such a view. Mr. Harmer, who independently arrived at a similar conclusion with 

 regard to the function of these organs, thinks the pigment of an excretory nature. 



On extrusion the ova (PL V. figs. 5, 6) are pure white, and either pyriform or rounded 

 in shape. Each is provided with a well-formed pedicle of the transparent investment, 

 truncated at the extremity for attachment. The diameter of the circular kind is about 

 ^ inch, or including the short stalk ^ inch. In the more pyriform or longer forms the 

 total length (including the stalk) is about ^ inch, and the transverse about ^q inch. 

 The diameter of the contained yolk is about ^^j inch in the former kind, and in the latter 

 is nearly of the same proportional size, though more ovoid in outline. A large space 

 (perivitelline) existed around these eggs, but whether endosmose had occurred after 

 deposition, or otherwise, is at present unknown. The capsule is hj^aline and structure- 

 less, presenting only a few wrinkles at the base of the stalk, which is hollow and 

 truncated at the tip. The opaque white central region is coarsely granular, as in tlie 

 intra-ovarian eggs. Each is attached to the wall of the chamber of the ccencecium by the 

 pedicle, though as now seen, that is after the action of spirit, many have become 

 detached. 



The products of the foregoing ova are yet undiscovered, though in all probability 

 they are motive embryos which carry the species to fresh sites on which to construct the 

 ccencecium. Such embryos had aU been swept out of the chambers either before or after 

 capture, as no trace of such could be found in the preparations. 



The reproductive organs seem to be more largely developed in this genus than in 

 Rhabdopleura, none indeed having been found in the latter by its discoverer. Professor 

 AUman, or subsequently in the living examples by Professor Sars. Professor Lankoster, 

 however, was successful in finding a testis in " the form of a much elongated sac ending 

 blindly at one end and opening by the other to the exterior by a special pore." The 

 latter occurs near the anus. The position of the aperture of the male generative system 

 thus probably indicates what will be found in the living Ccphalodiscus, and it is possible 

 that the male organs are developed at a difierent period from the female in the same 

 animals, or that the males exist in difi'erent colonies. In some of the sections of the 

 reproductive organs minutely granular masses Like sperm sacs were occasionally seen, bur 

 further examination gave no grounds for supposing that they were anything but im- 

 perfectly preserved contents of the ovaries. 



Buckling. 



No feature is more striking in this species than the great abundance of buds throughout 

 the entii-e series of adults iuh,Ll)itin<j; thr ccencecium. Yvry fow exist withnut thi-m, most 



