VORTI C ELL A A n ASTATIC'A.
Vorticella anaftatica, compofita, floribus campanulatis. ftirpe
multiflora rigefcente, fee Fig. 13, 14, 15, 16, Plate XX L
Vorticella anaftatica, compound, with bell-lhaped flowers, and a
rigid ftem.
Cluttering polype, fecond fpecies, Trembley, Philof. Tranf,
vol. xliv. part 2, p. 643.
Thefe polypes form a group refembling a clutter, or more
properly an open flower; this flower, or clutter, is fupported by
a ftem, which is fixed by it’s lower extremity to fome of the
aquatic plants, or extraneous bodies, that are found in the water;
the upper extremity forms itfelf into eight or nine lateral branches,
perfectly fimilar to each other; thefe have alfo fubordinatebran-
ches, whofe colltftive form much refembles that of a leaf. Every
one of thefe affemblages is compofed o f one principal branch, or
nerve, which makes with the main ftem o f the clutter an angle
fomewhat greater than a right one ; from both fides o f this nerve
the fmaller lateral branches proceed ; thefe are fhorter the nearer
their origin is to the principal branch.
At the extremity of the principal branch, and alfo o f all the
lateral ones there is a polype or vorticella. There are others on
both fides. of the lateral twigs, but at different diftances from their
extremity. Thefe polypes are all exceeding fmall, and o f a belllike
figure; near their mouth a quick motion may be difcerned,
though not with a fufttcient diftinfitnefs to convey an adequate idea
o f
o f it’s caufe; upon the branches o f thefe clutters are round
bodies, which will be more particularly defcribed prefently.
Every clutter has eight or nine of thefe branches, or leaves;
they do not all proceed from the fame point, but the points from
whence they fet out are not far afunder; each o f thefe branches is
bent a little, inwards, fo that all of 'them taken together form a
kind of fhallow cup. I f the eye is placed right over the bafe o f
this cup, the appearance of the whole eight, or nine branches is
like unto that o f a ftar, with fo many rays proceeding from the
center. I f the clutter is (lightly touched, all the branches inftantly
fold up, and form a fmall round mafs. The ftem which fup-
ports the clutter contrafts alfo at the fame'time, folding up like a
workman’s meafuring rule, that confifts of three or four joints.
This extraordinary aflemblage conftitutes one organized whole,
formed of a multitude o f fimilar and particular ones. A new fpe.-
cies o f fociety, in which all the individuals are. members o f each
other in the ttricteft fenfe, and all participate o f the fame life.
A few days after one of thefe clutters is formed, fmall round
bodies, or bulbs, may be perceived to protrude in feveral places
from the body o f the branch; thefe grow very fall, and arrive at
their greateft growth in two or three days.' The bulbs detach
themfelves from the branches out of which they fpring, and go
away, fwimming till they can fettle upon fome fubftance which
théy meet with in the water, and to which they fix themfelves by
a fhort pe'dicle ; the bulbs are then round, only a little flatted on
the under fide, the pedicle continues to lengthen gradually for
about twenty-four hours, during the fame time the bulbs alfo
change their figure, apd become nearly oval. There are in a
3 G 2 clutter