132 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
In a few days there appeared within the column, or bell,
two processes, resembling the gastric pouches of Hydra-tuba,
but twisted (see sketch), and, about the 12th June, the two largest
specimens became very flaccid and sank to the bottom of the
container, the body ceased to have a "bell-like" look, the
rigidity and transparency disappeared and the creatures became
limp, opaque and sandy-brown in colour.
Thinking from their appearance that this had about finished
their existence, I decided to kill and preserve them before
decomposition set in, but I reconsidered my decision as regards
the largest specimen which, however, looked very sickly, showing
no signs of movement. It was now (June 16th) relatively very
long, thin and wormlike, with tentacles thin and shrunken.
By now this individual had developed a distinct oesophagus
and the two digestic processes had grown into two long tubes,
each of which had short branches—or stalks—to which groups
of a grape-like appearance were attached: there was quite a
number of these. By June 18th the flaccidity had passed and the
creature had attained the power of withdrawing itself with
lightning rapidity, so far as the front half of the body was con-
cerned, also the power of moving backwards, somewhat after
the manner of a caterpillar, also the power of moving its tentacles,
and of feeding, and also of attaching itself quite firmly along its
sides. It also began to adhere sand-grains to its body and so
to form a tube.
The posterior portion of the body from first to last remained
bulbous, all constrictions and convolutions being confined to the
middle portions of the animal.
By July 10th it was developing satisfactorily. Though the
creature was still only about 6 mm. long, the tentacles were
developed and banded, and it was on them rather than the sides
of the body that the animal seemed to rely for attachment: their
normal position is drawn together to form a cone or needle-
point.
When ready for food the usual position is, mouth and
oesophagus upright, tentacles expanded, column horizontal, and
the bulbous base expanded.
The creature survived, in quite a small cell, the great heat of
August, 80—86° Fahr. (air temps). On the 12th I found it