452 
EDITH M. MUSGEAYE. 
I. 
Several colonies of Pennatula rubra and P. phos- 
pliorea were placed in tanks of running, filtered sea-water. 
At frequent intervals tiny clouds of finel}’ powdered carmine 
were squirted around the pens by means of a small glass 
S}’ringe. After four days the colonies w'ere submitted to 
microscopic examination when particles of carmine were 
observed. 
(1) In the coelentera of the autozooids and siphonozooids 
and in an ingested condition in the cells of the mesenterial 
filaments of the autozooids (Pratt, Alcyonium, 1905). 
(2) In the canals connecting the coelentera of the zooids 
with the four large central canals of the stalk and rachis. 
(3) In the lumen of the four large canals just mentioned. 
(4) In an ingested condition in the cells composing the 
coelenteric lining of the zooids, and also in many of the cells 
composing the epithelial lining of the large canals throughout 
the colony (figs. 1, 9). 
This experiment, in my opinion, indicates the existence of 
a very complete and comprehensive system of communication 
between every poi’tion of the colony and the exterior, while 
the presence of ingested particles of carmine in the cells lining 
the coelentera of the zooids and the lumen of the large canals 
throughout the colony confirms the opinion based upon 
numerous feeding experiments on other members of the 
Order Alcyonaria (Pratt, 1905), that these cells possess at 
least a nutritive function (fig. 9), and indicates the possi- 
bility of the ingestion and digestion by any epithelial surface 
(other than that occupied by the mucus-secreting gland-cells) 
of any nutritive matter which may be present in the fiuid 
circulating so freely within the colony. Of the nature of this 
fluid comparatively little is known, and it was, unfortunately, 
impossible to obtain a chemical analysis during experimental 
operations, but it is evident that this question was not entirely 
ignored even in a period so remote as the eighteenth century, 
for Bohadsch (17t5l), in the account of his investigation of 
living specimens of Pennatula phosphorea, states : 
