400 DR. A. FARRE ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE CILIOBRACHIATE POLYPI. 
see a filament (possibly a tube) passing down from the base of the stomach into the 
short neck that connects the cell with the main stem, but beyond this I could not 
trace it. It appeared to be distinct from the retractor muscles, by which it was sur- 
rounded. The stem itself appears to be nearly homogeneous throughout, and no mo- 
tion of particles was ever observed in its interior. Each cell is capable of a slight 
degree of flexion upon the main stem, but the means by which that is effected are not 
obvious. 
The only mode of reproduction that I had the opportunity of witnessing was that 
by a process of gemmation from the common stock, or creeping stem, from which the 
young animals in various stages of growth were seen sprouting (Plate XX. fig. 2.). 
The smallest gemmae appeared to be homogeneous in texture, forming little nodules 
on the parent stem. Those further advanced were seen to present something like a 
boundary line, indicating the thickness of the parietes of the future cell. Within this, 
in others, w T as a little dark mass, which in larger ones presented a rough outline of 
the form of the complete animal. Those about half grown had all the parts distinctly 
traced out ; the retractor muscles completely formed ; the tentacles short and clumsy; 
the walls of the alimentary canal thick, and its cavity clearly defined, as well as the 
dark spots in the gizzard (fig. 3. cl.). These were commonly seen in all stages of 
growth up to full maturity, grouped together on the same stem without any order, 
the stem terminating in a blunt growing end. 
As I shall have occasion to notice in another part of this paper the second mode of 
reproduction in this class, namely, that by locomotive ciliated gemmules, but which 
I did not observe in the present species, I defer for the present the consideration of 
this subject. I cannot, however, avoid referring here to an appearance which I have 
commonly observed, that seems to be in some way connected with it. It is that of 
one or more rounded or oval bodies, of a brown colour, lying apparently loose within 
the visceral cavity, and near the bottom of the cell (Plate XXL fig. 14 and 15.). From 
their dark colour they are generally very conspicuous, especially as they remain in 
the cells long after the animal has perished and disappeared from them. From this 
circumstance it might be imagined, that they resulted from decomposition, were they 
not also frequently seen in the living animal. Moreover they have a definite form 
and size, and when removed from the cell and carefully examined are found to con- 
sist of a delicate transparent membrane, inclosing a brown granular matter to which 
their colour is due. (fig. 16.) It is further remarkable that they are often seen as 
large in animals not even half matured as in the adults (compare figs. 14 and 15.). 
Besides these I have sometimes noticed other bodies more nearly spherical, and of a 
milk-white colour, which when pressed, broke up into minute granules. I have ob- 
served as many as three of the white and two of the brown bodies in the same animal, 
(fig. 14.) but the former are seldom seen. The brown bodies, however, are so ex- 
tremely common, that I have seldom had occasion to examine any species of this 
class without detecting them. I have not, however, been able to ascertain their use. 
