137 



points which I suppose are the eyes. On the strict- 

 est examination I have not been able to discover any 

 organs or intestines separate/rom the flesh compos- 

 ing the body of this animal, which is smooth on the 

 outside, and within mammiform. It is not, however, 

 destitute of sensibility, as, on being touched or drawn 

 from its cell, it ejects with violence from both 

 trunks the water which it contains. Several of these 

 animals live together in a kind of coriaceous hive ; 

 this is of a different form in différent places, and ap- 

 pears to be completely closed on the outside, but 

 within is divided into ten or more cells by means of 

 strong membranes. Each individual has his separate 

 cell, where he lives a recluse life without any visible 

 communication with his companions, and in which he 

 is compelled to remain, though there is no perceptible 

 ligament that attaches him to it. From this circum- 

 stance it may fairly be presumed that these animals 

 are hermaphrodites of the first species, or such as 

 produce their like without coupling. 



The hives, which serve as habitations for these 

 molluscas, resemble alcyoniums^ and are attached to 

 rocks, covered by the water, from whence they are 

 torn by the waves and driven on the shore. The in- 

 habitants of Chili eat the pyures, either boiled or 

 roasted in the shells, and when fresh they have the 

 taste of a lobster. Great quantities of them are dried 

 annually and sent to Cujo, where they are in great 

 request. I believe the animal which Kolben, in his 

 description of the Cape of Good Hope, calls the sea 

 fountain, is of the same family. 



Vol. I. U 



