54 
which ova are observed to be developed, their surfaces ®*^ 
covered with numerous minute vibratory cilia which are * ^ 
constant, action; these, when the ovum is free, whirl it abo> 
in a very rapid manner from one part of the tube to anoth* ’ 
and at length into the abdominal cavity. Hero it nu' r 
about from part to part, sometimes to the orifice at the b»- 
of the stomach, which immediately contracts to prevent 
escape; at others it, wanders into the chambers formed 
the septa aDd to the base of the tentacula, and then ®g‘ 5 
returns to the base of the stomach. At length it p 3s “ . . 
through the orifice into the stomach, where it is consider** • 
retarded in its action by the contraction and pressure ot 
gastric surface. After passing the stomach, it escapes ^ 
the mouth into the surrounding water. When escaped 
appears as if re-iuvigorated, and moves about with an eueiV 
and activity truly remarkable. From the globular 
which they have when they escape, they change first t° 
oval, but vary in different instances and at different l'** 11 ' 
The changes are sometimes rapid, and appear almost vtd 
tary ; sometimes they are oval, at others they have an **‘ j, 
glass contraction, and occasionally have rounded heads ' 4 t 
a tail like prolongation, and thus they vary to an al" 1 . ^ 
unlimited extent. Having at length found a spot mi wh e 
they rest to become fixed, fibres pass out from the b 
to serve as roots, and (he other parts undergo a remark® 
alteration in colour and appearance, becoming more el , . 
gated, opaque, and dull, and the flesh appearing on 1 , g 
surface; the horny axis iu a very rudimentary 
appears before it has attained one line in height; such i s , 
mode observed iu the Gorgonite. The young of the 
ninin differs from this, by diffusing itself into a thin cr°’ , 
Thus these curious creatures, first moving about with act l,r 
and the irregularity of almost voluntary motion, theO j 
coming fixed, rooted, and branched, present an instaH ce ^ 
metamorphosis as remarkable as any fabled by the R 0 ? 1 ^ 
poet. When the ova first appear they are of a very 
colour, but soon acquire a deep orange tinge. Under , 
microscope they appear opaque, but with a good light p 
are found to have a transparent zone. Their product 01 . 
entirely independent of any active influence of the P ol '^il 
by means of the polype an abundant supply of reno*®^ 
water passes over the ova and so keeps them in a he® m 
condition. Both in the Gorgonia and Alcyonium, the 
process of reproduction is so similar, that it is diffif' 1 
draw a distinction between them. The ovaria and ovid® ( e 
described by Cavolini as being found in the Gorgonia, 
never detected; and the ova instead of escaping at th e 
of the tentacula, as mentioned by him, I have found to e6 
