186 
BRIGHTWELL, ON NOCTILUC^. 
single instance of it should be presented among the innu- 
merable multitudes of individuals brought under the 
author's observation/^ 
Mr. Huxley says, at p. 54 — " Quatrefages and Krohn con- 
sider that a process of fissiparous multiplication takes place 
in Noctilucse ; both of these observers having found double 
individuals, though very rarely. According to the latter 
writer, division of the body is preceded by that of the 
nucleus. I have not had the good fortune to meet with any 
of these forms, and the only indication of a possible repro- 
ductive apparatus which I have seen, consisted of a number 
of granular, vesicular bodies of about ^ oVo"*^^ Yuch in dia- 
meter, scattered over the surface of the anterior and inferior 
part of the body.'' 
Dr. Webb, p. 105, remarks — '^^The mode of reproduction 
is at present far from being satisfactorily made out. I have 
never met with a double individual, but on one occasion 
witnessed the process of division, without, however, noting 
any proof of its connection with that of fissiparous multi- 
plication." 
The facts we have to adduce tend to show that the con- 
clusion of Quatrefages and Krohn, '^'^that a process of fissi- 
parous division takes place in Noctiluca," is correct; but 
further investigation of the subject is called for, and though 
we trust these facts will be deemed of sufficient importance 
to deserve record, we would urge those who have opportu- 
nity to follow up the investigation of the subject. Lieutenant- 
Colonel Baddeley (now residing at Gorlestone, near Yar- 
mouth) has devoted much time and attention to the investi- 
gation of a Noctiluca, and it is to his observations and 
drawings I am almost entirely indebted for the material of 
this communication. 
The Colonel's observations commenced in October, 1856, 
when the animals were plentiful, and have been continued 
to the present time (June, 1857), the animals not entirely 
disappearing in the winter months. Several of the drawings 
are made from specimens taken in the month of December 
last ; a season when these delicate little creatures would 
hardly have been looked for on our shores. 
We have seen that other observers speak of double forms 
as of rare occurrence, as abnormities, and double monsters, 
and mere adhesions. Colonel Baddeley has met with double 
forms in considerable numbers. I have figures of twenty 
specimens of double forms, carefully drawn by him from 
living specimens, each figure being from two to four inches 
in diameter ; and he states that he has never made a gather- 
