824 



THE INHABITANTS OF THE SEA. 



which the blood circulates, the Botrylli form translucent jelly- 

 like masses of various hues of 

 orange, yellow, purple, hlue, grey, 

 and green ; sometimes nearly uni- 

 form in tint, sometimes beautifully 

 variegated, and very frequently 

 pencilled as if with stars of 

 gorgeous deviee; now encrust- 

 ing the surface of the rock, now 

 descending from it in icicle-like 

 projections. They are also fre- 

 quently attached to the broad- 

 leaved fuci, investing the stalks, 

 or clothing with a glairy coat 

 the expanse of the fronds. "In 

 examining their bodies," says 

 the distinguished naturalist pre- 

 viously quoted, "we find that it 

 is not a single animal which is 

 before us, but a commonwealth 



of beings bound together by common and vital ties. Each 



Botryllus violaceus. Two of the 

 stems magnified. 



a. Common test 



b. Some of the branchial orifices. 



c. The common anal orifice of one of the 



systems. 



Mk A - 



Jfc • ' 1L 



listed "., 



- : 



T6»-',«R 





j^MMm 



Diazona violaoea ^magnified). 



star is a family, each group of stars a community. Individuals 

 are linked together in systems, systems combined into masses. 



