RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1832.04-06. Zoological diary: Rio de Janeiro. CUL-DAR30.36-69. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Richard Darwin Keynes in Zoology notes (2000, F1840). Revised and supplemented here by Christine Chua to correspond to the manuscript images. Edited by John van Wyhe 6-7.2022. RN1

NOTE: Original transcription reproduced with permission of Richard Darwin Keynes, the Syndics of Cambridge University Library, English Heritage (Down House Collection) and William Huxley Darwin.


36

Rio de Janeiro

1832

Limnœa (a) 435 Copied

Found great numbers of a species of Limnœa adhering to aquatic plants in a lake situated between Mandetiba & Lagoa Araruama: The water was then fresh.— but the inhabitants affirmed that periodically once an year it became salt & sometimes oftener.— The period most probably in which the SW winds prevail; Is not this fact curious, that fresh water shells should survive an inundation of salt water? In the neighbouring Lagoon, Balani were adhering to the rocks.—

Ceratophis (b) My specimen inhabited the dark & moist forest round Socêgo.— Its habits were those of an English toad, than a Frog. All its motions slow & feeble: proceeded by slow short jumps.— Colours in the Spirits have become rather fainter.— Iris bright copper colour.—

Aplysia (c) May 6th.— Animal with lateral crests unequal; right side nearly orbicular. very large.— measured internally to the back 2 & 3/4 inches wide.— left, posteriorly obliquely cut or slanted off & only 1 & 3/4 wide; the anterior basal parts of right one very thick & fleshy.— crests extend nearly length of whole body.— as the animal was dying when I found it, I am not sure of its shape — foot broard, length when contracted 4 & 1/2 inches, I have no doubt when crawling would be 6 inches — Width Depth with crest extended 4 & ½ (placed sideways on a plate).—

[36v]

(a) 208

37

Rio de Janeiro

1832 May

Aplysia colour, purplish dark brown with whitish marking, & in them minute snow white dots about 1/48th of inch in diameter.— on the edge of crests their markings are larger & more distinct.— Feelers same colour.— anterior fleshy, placed longitudinantly, posterior small, near to anterior part of crests.— Mantle purplish, posteriorly forming simple tube; Branchiæ situated on a straight membrane on each side about seven eight corresponding tufts, primarily bifid.— A tube or line (?) running from between crests towards the head.— Connected with Generation? When first taken emitted a little purple.— If the Aplysia uses its lateral crests to swim.— Can this? Cuvier says Tectibranches have these Branchiæ not symmetrical.— Are not these?—

Hyla On the back, a band of "yellowish brown" width of head, sides copper yellow; abdomen silvery yellowish white slightly tuberculated: beneath the mouth, smooth dark yellow.— under sides of legs leaden flesh colour.— Can adhere to perpendicular surface of glass.— The fields resound with the noise which this little animal, as it sits on a blade of grass about an inch from the water, emits.— The note is very musical. I at first thought it must be a bird.— When several are together they chirp in harmony; each, beginning a lower note than the other, & then continuing upon two (I think these notes are thirds to each other).—

[37v]

(a) 452 (not spirits merely the shell)

(b) 212 (in the spider bottle (213)) Taken in thicker forest

(c) Inhabits rocky, wooded hills

(c) 481 (not spirits)

38

Rio de Janeiro

1832 May

Helix 452 (a) Copied

Body 1 & 1/2 inches long. Colour "Kings Yellow"; neck long, cylindrical, marked with longitudinal furrows which become reticulated on the sides; tentacula orange colour, bearing eyes at extremities, finely & regularly reticulated; anterior pair about 1/5 in length of posterior; beneath there are are angular projections forming sides of the mouth.— Mouth when protruded & closed, three folded (Y).— Foot & tail paler, the latter broard, rather pointed.— Inhabits thick woods on the hills.—

Spider (b) 212 in the Spider Bottle 213 taken in thick forest used White

Evidently by its four front strong equal legs being much longer than posterior; by its habits on a leaf of a tree, is a Laterigrade: It differs however most singularly from that tribe & is I think a new genus.— Eyes 10 in number, (!?) anterior ones red, situated on two curved longitudinal lines, thus the central triangular ones on an eminence: Machoires rounded inclined: languettes bluntly arrow shaped: Cheliceres powerful with large aperture for poison.— Abdomen encrusted & with 5 conical peaks: Thorax with one small one: Crotchets to Tarsi, very strong (& with 2 small corresponding ones beneath?) Colour snow white, except tarsi & half of leg bright yellow.— also tops of abdominal points & line of eyes black.— It must I think be new.— (Lithetron paradoxicus Darwin!!!)

Helix (c) 481 Copied Animal narrow, reticulated with lines all over body; colour brownish "Lavander purple" with snow white dorsal streak.— Superior feeler stout conical, terminated by a ball carrying the eye.— Eggs, white; .24 inch. diam: Shell effervesces with acids. Body when extended 3 inches long.

[38v]

(a) Vide nos 235 & 214

(b) Beneath the regular web with concentric circles there is an irregular & thin tissue of net work.─

(c) V. N240

(b) This irregular tissue works is sometimes above the concentric web.

(d) V No 535 not spirits

(e) Vide (449) not spirits

39

Rio de Janeiro

1832 May

Leucauge (b) (a) used White Spider, orbiletes; closely allied to Epeira (Leucauge. [illeg] ) web, very regular nearly horizontal, animal rests in the centre on inferior surface: Machoires parallel, lengthened, thickening towards the end, square truncate: languette semicircular with central impression: Cheliceres cylindrical: eyes equal, thus placed [sketch]: thorax truncate, oval, depressed: 1st pair of legs [small] longest. then 2d, 4th & lastly 3d: filieres little conical, projecting, distinct: Abdomen oblong, brilliant; the red like a ruby with a bright light behind.—

Bulimus (?) (c) (249) Copied Animal with coarse reticulations, colour brownish yellow, becoming darker & forming a band on each side.— back white with central band.— tail broard flat pale.— Feelers yellowish, superiors long.— Mouth of the shell with anterior end flattened, animal protrudes itself in the same line as this.— Was found in the Botanic garden closely adhering to the species of firs which were originally brought from New S Wales.—

Hymenop: (d) (Rapaces) Pompilus I have frequently observed these insects carrying dead spiders, even the powerful genus Mygalus, & have found the clay (e) cells made for their larvæ filled with dying & dead small spiders: to day (June 2d) I watched a contest between one of them & a large Lycosa.— The insect dashed against the spider & then flew away; it had evidently mortially wounded its enemy with its sting; for the spider crawled a little way & then rolled down the hill & scrambled into a tuft of grass.— The Hymenoptera most assuredly again found out the spider by the power of smell; regularly making small circuits.

[39v]

(a) Again the next day morning (June 3d) a breeze set in from the NE. bearing with it a heavy bank of Cumuli.— This floated about 200 feet above the sea, & was not 600 thick, as the Sugar loaf peeped through its white covering, & looked like the peak of Teneriffe.— The rest of the sky was clear, with a few scattered Cirri.— As the white mass rolled inland, it rose in the atmosphere & was partially dissolved.— I never observed this phenomenon in any part of England. (The Barom was not but little affected)

June 8th.— From this fact of Cumili. with edge clearly defined against the blue sky, floating on a calm hot day. under 2000 feet of elevation. a landscape introducing it faithfully had to my eye, an unnatural appearance, although well aware of the truth of the fact.—

On May 5th & 17th there was a good instance of an appearance, which I had frequently witnessed with surprise on the Rio Macaè.— In both all cases for some hours the country had been drenched with rain; as soon [as] it ceased a most extraordinary evaporation commenced.— At 100 feet elevation the wooded hills were almost hidden in the clouds of vapour, which rising like column of smoke formed beds of not to be distinguished from the surrounding Cumili.— The most thickly wooded parts produced the greatest quantity.— I suppose this fact is owing to the great extent surface of heated foliage.— The atmosphere itself was not very damp DP 71. Temp 78. Diff: 7

40

Rio de Janeiro

1832 June

Hymenop: (Rapaces) (like a dog) & rapidly vibrating its wings & antennæ: It was a most curious spectacle: the Spider had yet some life, & the Hymenop was most cautious to keep clear of the jaws; at last being stung twice more on under side of the thorax it became motionless.— The hymenop. apparently ascertained this by repeatedly putting its head close to the spider, & then dragged away the heavy Lycosa with its mandibles.— I then took them both (Hymenop. no 535)

Metereolog: Colour of sky &c  In the course of to day (June 2d) I have observed several trifling meterolog phenomena.— The day At noon it was very hot & calm: the sky dark blue & I remarked, what I have frequently before, that small Cumuli with defined edges float at less about 2000 feet elevation; they passed beneath the summit of the Caucovado.— These clouds to the eye had an appearance of great elevation.— For some hours the air, seen through for a short distance, had a prodigious transparency: but all colours at a greater were blended into a most beautiful tint.— giving to the landscape an serene appearance.— I have never observed this in England.— the colour was "French grey" with a very little prussian blue.— the sky in the Zenith was "Ultra marine" & "flax flower blue".— The Barometer had fallen .08 since the morning.— But from the same period, the dryness of atmosphere had much increased: the dew point was 64.5 & diff 57°: diff 17°.— whilst in the morning the latter was only 7°.5.—

[40v]

(a) not spirits 440 441

(b) It is remarkable how commonly that the light from animals is green.— Four Lampyruis, Elater Noctelucis; marine crustaceæ & other marine animals all partake of this tint.—

(d) Great numbers of this insect fall a prey to Epeirus

41

Rio de Janeiro

1832 June

Meterolog: The thermometer (at same time) exposed on white cotton to the sun was at 2 PM 115°. The night was cloudless & a copious dew was falling. therm on the open turf fell to 61°.— So that the vegetation even in the winter season undergoes a range of 54 degrees.—

Mr Daniell remarks that a cloud on a mountain sometimes is seen stationary, whilst a wind is blowing; the same phenomenon seen nearer on the Caucovado presented rather a different appearance.— Here the cloud cloud continued to curl over & pass by the summit & side of the peak & yet was not diminished. or increased in size.— The sun was setting & a gentle Southerly breeze came in.— this striking against the South side of the rock, which had not been exposed to the full rays of the sun & was open to the radiation of an open a clear sky, was cooled & the vapour condensed. but as it passed over the ridge it met the warmer air of the North sloping Bank & immediately the vapour was dissolved & cloud disappeared.—

Lampyrus In the early part of the night of April & (a) beginning of May. the marshy fields were (d) illuminated by this beautiful insect; the light (b) was green & more intense than the Elater noctelucis: it was visible at more than 200 yards.— the insect in its habits is very active & when most irritated emitted the most brilliant.

[41v]

(a) Nos. not spirits 442, 443, 506, 507 I have no descriptions to recognise for certain the female from the larva of Lampyrus. I never however saw the winged ones near to where the apterous ones were crawling

(c) The cup rather rises at the junction of the last & penultimate joint.— the above mentioned spines in the penultimates are situated on the inferior surface, in the last joint at the very extremity.— The larger the specimen the more luminous it is.

42

Rio de Janeiro

1832 June

Lampyrus flashes: in the intervals, the two abdominal rings were completely obscure; the flash is almost instantaneous, but first appears in the upper ring.— The shining matter is fluid & very adhesive, & lies immediately under the skin: Carb of Soda added to it produced no immediate effect.— Places, where the skin was torn, in the interval remained bright & a scintillation was perceptible.— When the head of the insect was cut off, the rings continued interruptedly bright, but not so brilliant; pressing & pricking always increased the vividness; & it then appeared first of a bluer tint & in spots.— The abdomen remained luminous many hours more than 24 after the death of animal.— From all these facts it would appear that the vital action is more concerned in obscuring the light at intervals than in immediately producing it.—

Larva Larva of the above Lampyrus (I suppose) luminous (a) not quite so strong as our glow worm.— Inhabits (b) wet muddy places: when touched pretends death, & ceases to be luminous & irritation will not reproduce it.— Can swim well by a lateral serpentine motion of body; [tibiae matter] [illeg] spinose.— walks quickly by the aid of its tail.— This latter organ is curious: the last dorsal or tail plate is cut out [sketch] & the two inferior & posterior rings of abdomen with spines; (c) beneath the penultimate is a cup, from which can be protruded an oval membranous tube, containing numerous approximate fillets, arranged

[42v]

(a) No. 508 (not spirits)

(b) No 245. — A Leiodes5 (550 not spirits) flew on it as I was carrying it.─

43

Rio de Janeiro

1832 June

Larva of Lampyrus in a circle; each of these is bifid & has the power of strongly adhering to any surface.— The spines & tube being pointed posteriorly & the latter pulling in the same direction the animal can firmly attach itself by this means.— Mouth retractile.— Are strongly carnivorous, readily feeding on raw flesh.— Whilst so doing the tail is frequently applied to the mouth, which is partly drawn in; & a large drop of fluid is exuded from the terminal cup; this appears to act in both softening the mouth & the flesh.— The fluid neither affected Litmus or Turmeric: but like the gastric juice, the action of which Chemistry can so little explain, it doubtless aids digestion.— The tail was always guided to the mouth by first touching the neck.— These larvæ are in considerable number.— does not the fact of their being luminous render what has so often stated improbable [viz] that the sexes shine in order to bring them together.— Amongst the specimens there is one of (a) another species; the mouth protrudes further out & the dorsal plates are rounded.— I have likewise taken the species of the full grown Lampyrus

Hymen-phallus (b) Copied Growing in a very thick damp forest (June 4th) did not smell stronger than the Caninus: yet sufficient to be remarked by the inhabitants: the veil was inserted about 1/2 an inch beneath the cone at top.— top perforated: liquid on it yellowish brown: bag of jelly resembling impudicus. — the specimen is only in fragment

[43v]

(a) 257

(b) 256

(c) The side is I suppose only the under edge of matter; palish yellow

44

Rio de Janeiro

1832 June

Bulimus? (257) Animal crawling on the dry ground; shell destitute of an umbelicus.— (is it young Bulimus??) — body 4 inches long .5 wide: superior feelers .9 long: inferior .2: foot very broard, thin at edges: back rugosely reticulated, colour dirty lead coloured; scales & tail more yellow.—

Vaginulus (b) specimen 256 Veronicella Blainv: animal here described as in crawling.— Mantle Above rather pale "honey yellow". Mantle regularly rounded; smooth to the touch, but finely tuberculated; edges angular far projecting over foot, forming at anterior end a truncate hood; mouth & front part of foot retracted during inaction.— Mantle covering whole body length 5.5 inch, breadth .5, posterior end bluntly pointed.— foot of uniform breadth: thin, separated from mantle by an interval of sides: pointed at end & divided from extremity of mantle for .3 of an inches.— Between them fecal orifice; partly formed by groove in under surface of mantle.— it moves by wave-like motion of muscles as in Parmacella.— (an obscure hole on middle of rt side by edge of foot. generative?) Superior feelers, approximate, length .6. lead coloured terminated by ball, bearing an eye on superior surface: inferior with extremely blunt, length .2.— To the under surface for 2/3 of length is joined another organ, giving to the feeler a forked appearance.— it is pointed at extremity, & whilst the animal moves this part is perpetually retracting & protruding: it appears to have an aperture & to exude small quantities of fluid: is it to moisten path before the body?

[44v]

(a) 256

(b) 283

(c) Lamarck seems to deny this mouth. Cuvier states there to be one.— it certainly is by no means so apparent as in Asterias.

June (23d) Found an injured specimen of this animal; colour uniform yellowish green, tuberculated with white dots; sides & foot concolorés.— Number (291)

45

Rio de Janeiro

1832 June

Vaginulus The slime (on body) is exuded through parallel pore on the foot.— Animal slow, torpid, generally with mouth retracted, lives & feeds on leaves of a tree in a dense forest on a hill; remote from any water.—

Vaginulus (a) Specimen 291 A small specimen only .5 length differs from the former in the following respects.— Anterior & posterior ends of mantle black.— with 4 faint dorsal lines of same colour.— rather more tuberculated & with white dots: (d) edges space between edges of foot & mantle white.— Lived in same forest: caught it in the sweeping entomological net.— Is it a different species or merely the young?— Are young snails generally darker coloured?—

Comatula 283 (b) Botofogo Bay. 15th.— Ventral surface "deep reddish browne" arms & with their pinnæ banded with white.— dorsal plate & cirrhi pale.— Suckers on the pinnæ minute, numerous; on inferior surface of arms a fine canal, bending alternately to each pinnæ, meets on the ventral disk with the other canal from the brother arm: (proving that the number 5 is normal, although here apparently there are 10).— The junctions of these canals irregular; meeting in the irregular central mouth.— Anus submarginal, tubular, ejecting fæces.— The pinnæ on the lower half of arms are at their base, fleshy & not banded with white. The animal was found adhering on the over.

[45v]

(a) 264

(b) These are semiretractile

46

Rio de Janeiro

1832 June

Comatula = hanging project ledge of rocks.— its dorsal cirrhi were firmly fixed in an encrusting sponge.— & the arms widely extended, so as much to resemble an enormous Polypus.— irritable. Motion passing down the body as in a sensitive plant.— arms have considerable power of motion, can curl themselves into a perfect spire.— When placed in fresh water emitted a strong odour & stained the water with a brownish yellow tint.— The animal had a most graceful appearance.—

Nudibranch (allied to Scyllæa?) Branchiæ dorsal (resembling Doris). each arm conical with simple short cirrhi; 6 in number, 4 anterior longest; between posterior (a) ones there is circular anal orifice.— foot narrow, doubled into a groove incapable of adhering to flat surface, anterior end flat, enlarged into a natatory organ.— Mantle projecting over with longitudinal slit for mouth.— Feelers 6; 4 anterior simple, tapering thin.— of which the two first are more approximate. behind & within there are 2 oval strong (b) ones, on a footstalk & with circular ridges.— (in this specimen the rt one is only left, but I think I can perceive where the other was) The lines joining on each side the anterior feelers are raised into a sort of rudimentary membrane, which traverses the back, enclosing branchiæ, & meet at the tail.— this membrane is fringed with projections paps on its edges.—

[46v]

(a) 265. Polypi hanging out.─

(b) Stems irregularly divided, interwoven, membrano-gelatinous.—

(c) 266

47

Rio de Janeiro

1832 June

Nudibranch Tail cyl round, pointed.— On right side between branchiæ & mouth, a closed orifice was visible.— Generative?— A strong pulsation was perceptible on the back before the Branchiæ.— Length of body .3 (probably young specimen) colours most beautiful; side blue & white with projecting white paps & with irregular transverse rows of bright orange spots.— Back with less blue.— Branchiæ & posterior pair of feelers coloured as the sides.— Animal was found crawling on the stalks of fine Corallines.— could swim well.— & had power of turning its head vertically back as far as Branchiæ.— It would seem to have some relation with Scyllæa & some with Polycera.—

Coralline (a)(b) Lardiman? Cells oval, attached by one end in irregular scattered groups on irregular cylindrical jointed hollow transparent much branched stems. Polypus tubular, conical, lengthened with 8 long tapering arms.— Growing in large tufts at low-water mark.—

Spider? (c) Abdomen triangular, filières pointed inferiorly at rt angles to the body.— Machoires enlarged into & rounded at extremity, languette rounded.— 1st pair of legs much longest.— 2d pair next.— Eyes like Epeira, but anterior & lateral on eminence.— Claw of cheliceres, small but little oblique, internal edge finely serrated.— This curious little spider inhabits with impunity the strong

[47v]

(a) No. 238.─

(b) Some all species even have a regular piece of mat-work in the centre of their web.—

(c) June 25th. I again watched one of these spiders; it is chiefly when the web is over an aloe or thick bush that the insect suddenly falls to the ground.— If the space beneath is clear, the spider disturbed only moves with great quickness through a hole near the centre from one side to the other.— It also practises another most curious meeneuvre when still further disturbed; by rapidly contracting & expanding its legs & the meshes being attached to elastic twigs, it soon gives to the whole web such a vibratory motion, that even the outline of Spider is rendered indistinct.— I may mention that when animal perfectly stationary the web filières can lengthen the thread, which was attached to a point, previous to falling.— The spider being still further molested, instead of leaving a single line as a train, emitted the same mass of web as described in enveloping its prey.—

48

Rio de Janeiro

1832 June

Spider web of the genus Epeira: & far most generally of a large one (specimens in No 252). division of Dic: Class: (I: ++:).— Indeed few of the webs can be found without these intruders.— There appears to be one more than one species: the more lengthened brown coloured one is the male of silvered abdomen sort.— as I think I observed them in copulation head to head.— When touched they either pretend death by shaking forward all front pair of legs.— or fall down, being attached by line to the Epeira web.— I know not where to place this genus.—

Epeira (a) (b) (c) Div: in Dic: Class: (II.++.1), very common especially on coast amongst the Aloes.— the web is strengthened in a curious manner.— the rays from centre have of course the concentric circles, also on opposite sides of centre two adjoining spokes are connected by a Zig Zag band of web.— the case is sometimes double so as to be at right angles to each other, thus. [sketch] When the spider is touched it falls down instead of as is common in Epeira run to the corner.— Stands head lowermost in centre of web.— When an insect is caught (for instance I saw small wasp & grasshopper) the spider rushes on it & by rapidly revolving it with in a few seconds involves it in a thick mesh.— as this proceeds from the filieres, it looks like a silver ribbon.— The spider then examines its prey & (in case of wasp) bit it several times with cheliceres on the back or thorax.— & immediately retreats

[48v]

(a) Specimens in bottle (252)

(b) ………. do ………. do

(c) ………. do ………. do

(c) Inhabits a leaf curled up; is very active in running & looks singularly like an ant.

d) Latreille referring to this appearance in Europe, refers it to young Lycosæ: in same manner as he does the Gossamer to grand Arachnidæ.— (Vide P 117)

49

Rio de Janeiro

1832 June

Epeira to its usual place the centre of web.— The insects in about ½ a minute being taken out of the mesh were quite dead & relaxed.— How much more powerful is this than any poison man knows of.— Prussic acid being rubbed into a Blaps seemed only to cause a slight paralysis, which in short time went off.—

Theridion (a) (d) In bottle (252) there are specimens of a small red spider. head, extremities of abdomen & half the legs black.— I believe it to be a Theridion.— They are exceedingly numerous: fresh turned up ground & short turf being in most places coated by its the small irregular web.— in the morning bespangled by Dew.—

Myrmecia (b) This singular looking spider is not uncommon in the wooded hills, amongst the foliage;— it is the "rufrum", but the colours vary, especially the black marking.— the abdomen & posterior segments of thorax obscure; the general colour of legs & body is not "fauve" but a mixture of "Orpiment orange & Vermilion red".

Tetragnatha (c) Common over water & may be seen in the evening forming its web.— When frightened, either remains stationary or runs to one corner, & stretches forward in a bundle its long legs.— Web horizontal, meshes large, points of attachment far apart.— it is generally attached to flags or rushes & is beautifully adapted to withstand being shaken by the wind.— I observed one, stretched across a very rapid brook, & joining to a central stone: how does the animal contrive to effect this?.

[49v]

(a) No. 278

50

Rio de Janeiro

1832 June 17th

Planaria (a) (No. 278) This very extraordinary animal was found, under the bark of a decaying tree, in the forest at a considerable elevation.— The place was quite dry & no water at all near.— Body soft, parenchymatous, covered with slime (like snails & leaving a track), not much flattened; when fully extended, 2 & ¼ inches long: in broardest parts only .13 wide.— Back arched, top rather flat; beneath, a level crawling surface (precisely resembles a gasteropode, only not separated from the body), with a slightly projecting membranous edge.— Anterior end extremely extensible, pointed lengthened; posterior half of body broardest, tail bluntly pointed.─

Colours: back with glossy black stripe; on each side of this a primrose white one edged externally with black; these stripes reach to extremities, & become uniformly narrower.— sides & foot dirty "orpiment orange".— from the elegance of shape & great beauty of colours, the animal had a very striking appearance.—

The anterior extremity of foot rather grooved or arched.— on its edge is a regular row of round black dots (as in marine Planariæ) which are continued round the foot, but not regularly; foot thickly covered with very minute angular white marks or specks.— On the foot in centre, about 1/3 of length from the tail, is a[n] irregular circular white space, free from the specks.— Extending through the whole width of this, is a transverse slit, sides straight parallel, extremities rounded, 1/60th of inch long.— tolerably apparent.— (i.e. with my very weak lens)

[50v]

(a) I actually at first moment thought there were minute animalcules struggling in the slime.— it is like the motion of a linear animal (such as eel, tadpole, animalcule) struggling to release themselves.—

(b) This doubtless is an error, V. the Planaria P 53

51

Rio de Janeiro

1832

Planaria At the distance of .3 & nearer to the anterior extremity is another slit, resembling in every respect the former, but smaller & much more obscure (I did not perceive it till the animal was hurt by Salt Water).— Posteriorly trace of central dark vessel & I suspect anal orifice;

(b) I judge at this from the appearance on glass of something like fæces & diminution of dark coloured vessel.— The following is the most remarkable phenomenon: I cannot doubt its accuracy as I observed it in several lights & with low powers chiefly 1/5 & 1/4 focal distances.— As the animal adheres to a plate of glass; in different parts of the foot, a slight contraction of the body includes & propels a coating or thin globule of air.— Instantly as the air comes in contact with surface of foot, a violent corpuscular motion is perceptible; in paroxysm & rather from centres; I cannot explain it, but by a simile which is most precise; it is (a) a number of small eels in thick mud being disturbed by a stick.— the motion was well seen by lens 1/5 focal distance, very rapid & serpentine.— I never observed it except on foot except where air was between it & the glass.— it was most singular to observe this motion as a globule of air was driven in, proceeding together with it.— A similar appearance was visible on rather smaller scale on the

[51v]

(a) Most certainly the real relation between a Planaria & Gasteropod (Pulmones) is very small; but it appears that relation of analogy is here well seen, as it often is in animals widely apart in the chain of Nature.—

(b) I must have fallen into some error; to day 23d I saw same appearance on back of a Bulla, in places where the light was shining on the surface.— (the animal being out of water).— It remains however quite inexplicable to me what the cause of phenomenon is.—

(c) Has not the rapid vivacious motion of the marine species.—

52

Rio de Janeiro

1832 June

Planaria dorsal surface; I observed it once & most clearly on the very anterior extremity. I suppose this action is the absorbing (b) or forcing air into minute cutaneous vessels.

The animal crawled like a Gasteropod, by wave like motion of foot; but differed in the anterior extremity being raised & stretched forward, & rather curved backward.— it appeared to use this part as a feeler.— could creep amongst moss.— appeared quite unused to water; salt water was highly destructive to it.— Motions slow; body irritable & irregularly contractile; quickly recovered from a cut, which I gave it in first taking it.— I should think from habits Phytovorous: kept it in tin box nearly 4 days; could perceive no difference.— Was I think perceptive sensible to light.— From the above characters it is evident it is a Planaria of Cuvier.— It differs from those (marine) I have seen; in the narrowness of body & not being much flattened; in the well marked crawling surface or foot & in the (c) beauty of colours & in manner of crawling.— How much more wide is the difference in its habits.— who would ever suppose the soft pulpy body of a Planaria could withstand the action of the air.— When I first found it & before I had examined it.— I had no doubt it was a Vaginulus (Cuv). I feel sure from its general appearance, slime, &c most observers would at first fall into (a) the same mistake.—

[52v]

(a) 279

(b) 289

(c) 290

53

Rio de Janeiro

1832 June

Aplysia (a) Length of extended animal 1.2; posterior feelers simple, conical, close at bottom for 1/3 of length.— Colour pale green, with meshwork of brownish purple veins; circular spaces being left clear.— Head darkest coloured with the purple; from it a band leading to branchial covering.— The latter on edges with black dots.— Sides with few white dots.—

Bufo (b) Copied (Bombinator). Back: "deep orange & chesnut brown". beneath pale, with dark mark between front legs.— behind tympanum & under eye pale with black marks.— legs banded slightly with black.— Iris yellow.— tongue large, fleshy .— Was found under piece of bark in forest, far from water.— Motions slow, jumps.— from the rich colours, the animal presented a curious appearance.

Planaria (c) This like the last (Page 50) was caught in the forest, crawling on soft decayed wood.— It is quite a different species.— Back, snow white, edged on each side by very fine parallel lines of reddish brown.— also within are two other approximate ones of same colour.— sides & foot white, nearer to the exterior red lines, thickly clouded by "pale blackish purple". animal beautifully coloured.— foot beneath with white specks.— but few black dots on edge & none on head.— length of body one inch, not so narrow in proportion as other species; &

54

Rio de Janeiro

1832 June 23d

Planaria anterior extremity not nearly so much lengthened.— the body in consequence of more uniform breadth.— like the former it rests on end of tail & bends out its head to find object to crawl on.— In the colouring of the body three rings are left nearly of a pure white.— In the foot, & in the line of the two posterior rings; the two transverse slits or openings were clearly visible.— I examined very carefully by strongly concentrating the light, the posterior extremity & am convinced there is no anal openin orifice.— it appeared to consist of a uniform parenchymatous matter.— indeed every part of the body thus viewed had this appearance.— In all other respects this animal exactly resembles the Planaria of Page (50).— As the tree on which I found it was near to rapid brook, I again placed this specimen in water; far from being accustomed to it.— I think in short time it would have been drowned.— Having found this crawling slowly on the damp & rotten wood, & the other under the bark of a somewhat similar tree, in all probability they live on decayed vegetable matter.— Having found two species is fortunate as it more firmly establishes this new subdivision of the genus Planaria.—

[54v]

(a) 615 (not spirits)

(b) I resume males & females.─

(c) 299

(d) June 28th In same place I observed one of these butterflies resting as described on a trunk of tree; another happening to flying past, immediately they chased each other, emitting (& there could be no mistake the space being open) the peculiar noise: this is continued for some time & is more like a small toothed wheel passing over under a spring pawl.— The noise would be heard between about 20 yards distant. This fact (from Kirby) would appear to be new.

55

Rio de Janeiro

1832 June

Papilio Linnæus (a) (615) This insect is not uncommon & generally frequents the Orange groves; it is remarkable in several respects.— It flies high & continually settles on the trunks of trees; invariably with its head downwards & with its wings expanded to further than or opened to beyond the horizontal plane.— It is the only butterfly I ever saw make use of its legs in running, this one will avoid being caught by shuffling to one side.— Some time ago I saw several pair[s], I presume males & females, of these butterflies chasing each other, & which from appearance & habits were I am sure the same species as this.— Strange as it may sound, they when fluttering about emitted a noise somewhat similar to cocking a small pistol; a sort of a click.— (d) I observed it repeatedly.— (d)

Cavolina? (c) Anterior feelers very long, united at base projecting over the mouth; posterior one feelers conical with transves transverse ridges (like in many Doris): eyes situated posteriorly at the base of latter:— feelers orange coloured.— Branchiæ in longitudinal rows on each side (or rather in 2 sets of obliquely transverse ones).— Branchiæ simple, tapering, internally dark brown.— Tail pointed, enlarged near extremity, prehensile.— Found amongst corallines at Botofogo Bay.— (examination very short.)

[55v]

(a) 282 & (595 not spirits)

56

Rio de Janeiro

1832 June

Amphiroa (a) (3) 282 595 spirits Branches very much flattened, formed of arched layers [(sketches (a) (B)] — these are very brittle & stony, formed of parallel longitudinal (3) fibres & appear in older branches solid.— Extreme layer white, semitransparent & so soft the least touch would injure it.— no trace of terminal aperture.— transparent horny & more generally at the bifurcation of branches.— they it would appear that these are formed rather by an alteration than continuation of central substance.— Without these joints the coralline would be rigid.— Branches irregular, generally dichotomous.— From The joints are formed by a crack in outer Calcareous coat & oval opening on each side: From the [illeg] & the terminal layer being soft, as they become dry they contract into hollows. V specimen (595).— I could by no means (fresh Water, Alcohol &c) perceive any signs of irritability.— On one side of this coralline there may be generally observed either irregularly or in double regular rows.— rounded projecting paps.— these have a distinct minute orifice: I am at a loss what to consider them, by no means could I make any animal protrude itself.— These cells are not fixed deeply into the branch.— Is it impossible to be a minute Pyrgoma; the recurrence in double rows [illeg] on one side wars against this: yet it forcibly struck me to be the case.— The Coralline is in great quantity in Botofogo Bay.—

[56v]

(a) I find I have pages 15 by mistake twice over, so that although late I have changed this page into 58 instead of 57.—

(b) In tube (300)

(c) Numerous specimens in bottle (213).

(3) 3686 Corallina growing abundantly on an mass of Ascidia thrown up on beach. June 1836. C. of Good Hope.— By accident nearly all the specimens were lost, the fragments preserved showed on many of the cylindrical joints the small pap, formed bladders with little circular orifices. Being broken open beneath the microscope, there were seen 8-12 (about) small rather bright pink bodies, arranged in a sort of ring in a little flocculent matter; by a slight [illeg] were easily detached & floated separately,— in form pear shaped, one side rather protuberant, apex one extremity pointed, the other rounded; the envelope was distinct, the central matter appeared granular & pink coloured. In size they could easily pass through the orifice of cell.— With 1/20" focal lens could perceive no particular organization in these ova.— I examined & opened several of the paps.—

58

Rio de Janeiro

1832 (a) 58 June

Ctenus All the specimens I have seen, have been on wooded hills; there appears to be 2 divisions in the genus.— The ones with body flattened, hairy & colours speckled, legs very long, line of four central eyes curved.— These live in decayed trees & may often be seen standing motionless with their legs stretched out near to some hole.— It is evident they can see to some distance; for the instant you draw back they out of sight, they dash into their holes.— The other division in their appearance & habits approaches closely to Lycosa: there are specimens of both in (300).

Oxyopes (c) This genus was exceedingly numerous in May (during the wet season) & was universally found amongst the herbage, but more especially in damp places.— In its habits it is a Saltigrade; springing with all the activity of one of that tribe from leaf to leaf.—

General Observations The following remarks are grouped without order: The traveller in a country where every feature wears so totally a different aspect is liable to fall into errors from expecting contrasts & reversed order of things where they do not exist: from this cause a greater degree of caution is necessary in comparing the appearance of Nature in the two zones than would have at first have been expected.

[58v]

(a) Truncatipennis inhabiting the foliage in forest, the Bipartis sandy plains.

59

Rio de Janeiro

1832 April: May: June

General observation After seeing a collection of Brazilian birds in a Museum; it would not easily be believed what little show they make in their native country.— Concealed in the universal mass of vegetation, the attention is not drawn to them by their notes.— The large swifts with pointed tail feathers, unlike to their congeners in England pursue in silence their airy circles.— Perhaps a bird allied to the Parrots (Krotophagus) possesses the most harmonious voice.— Nature in these Zones chooses her vocalists out of other tribes; in the evening some species of frogs make a concert no ways unpleasant. this as the night advances is accompanied by the endless cry of the Cicadas.— As far as regards insects, M. Lacordaire1 states the months during which I have collected are by no means the most productive in insects.— This may account for the few numbers of large & brilliant beetles which I have seen.— Of the smaller species I certainly have succeeded in taking great numbers.—

Coleoptera note (a) Coleoptera.— Amongst the Carabidous beetles, the only ones I saw in plenty were Cicindela nivea, two Harpali & a Lopha.— the other few chiefly belonged to Truncatipennis & Scarce Bipartis. (I always allude more to number of individuals than of species) This family evidently more belongs to a higher latitude.— Amongst the Hydrocanthares were several minute species of Hydroporus, Hygrotus & Hyphidrus & Noterus.

[59v]

(a) I will give a specimen of one days collecting.— June 23d, after a continuance of dry weather (which is injurious) I went to the Forest. Where I did not pay particular attention to Coleoptera (for instance I took amongst other things 37 species of Arachnidæ) nor was particularly lucky.—

Brought over 27

Truncatipennis 1 Scarabeides 2

Bembididous 1 Curculionidæ 15

Brachelyties 4 Lyctus 1

Buprestis 2 Corticaria 1

Elater 1 Criocerides 1

Malacoderms 4 Crysomela 1

Ptiniores 1 Galeruca 3

Scaphidites 2 Altica 9

Nitidularus 7 Phalacrus Agathidicus 6

Byrrhidæ 4 Cocanella Poclaphs 2

[Total] 27 [total] 68

These were chiefly taken by sweeping on the borders of the forest.

Amongst the Carabidous The Trenactipennis, like many of their congeners in England are found amongst upon the foliage.—

(4) Animal matter putrefying too quickly for them.

60

Rio de Janeiro

1832 April: May: June:

General observation. (a) Lycodes alighting upon Phallus. Stay at Barmouth.

They are not however, so numerous as in England.— Gyrinis frequent & might be seen dancing on the surface of a clear ditch; forcibly bringing to the recollection of an Entomologist his walks at home.─

Brachelytus uncommon. chiefly on decaying vegetable matter.—

Elateridæ most of species very small

(b) Necrophagous insects very rare.—

Nitidulidæ feeding on decayed fruits.—

Hydrophilidæ very numerous, & many of species very minute.—

Scarabeidæ not abundant (owing I suppose to season)

Heteromeræ not abundant.

Tetramera are by far the most numerous.

Rhyncophores exceedingly numerous, both in number & species: as might have been expected from the abundance of Forest Land

Longicornis. scarce (owing to Season?)

Criocerides, Cassidanus, Clavipalpes & especially Galerucites extraordinary & abundant & appear preeminently to characterise Tropical entomology.— The true Chrysomalines scarce (excepting few Creptocephalis)

Trimera, Cricinella & Pselaphus not very common.—

Orthoptera This order in every family is very numerous, both in species & individuals.— the latter mat is much increased in appearance by those in the Pupa state being active.— The order makes a prominent feature in the Entomology.

Hemiptera Not so numerous as the last.— Cicadella is preeminently numerous.— Many beautifully coloured.—

61

Rio de Janeiro

1832 April: May: June:

Neuroptera General Observations

Libellula very numerous: Many Agrions2 in the forest.— I only saw one Hemiroti & 2 Frigania.— Termites not so numerous as at Bahia & still less than at Fernando Noronha.

Hymenoptera The division Rapaces (Lamarck) in great number & characteristic of Entomol: especially Guepiariès.— Melliferes are not at all abundant, & this strongly contrasts against England. Some of the Rapaces (solitary ones) prey on Spiders, & thus balance the very much increased number of latter.—

Lepidoptera The Diurnes, perhaps by the brilliancy of colours, largeness of size, more than any tribe of animals show the region they inhabit.— they are very numerous.— Crepuscularis scarce.— Phalance Nocturus, (considering how well adapted the country appears for them) are wonderfully uncommon.—

Diptera These became tolerably abundant during the time there was any rain.— but with the exception of Culicidæ & some few Muscæ at other times they are not abundant.—

These observations were made during the months of May June; part of which was wet & part dry.— I must again mention, that in these notes I very much refer to the abundance of individuals: that is the general & first appearance which the Entomology presents in the Brazils.—

[61v]

(a) (49 Page in this journal)

(b) (48 … do ….. do)

(c) (49 … do ….. do)

(d) (58 … do ….. do)

62

Rio de Janeiro

1832 April: May: June:

General Observations Arachnidæ

In this division of Articulated animals the number of species & individuals which they contain is very great: it appears to me no no other order, as compared to England is so very much increased.— Mygalus is not uncommon in holes (chiefly rotten trees) on the wooded hills.— A small red (a)  Theridion coats the turf with its web.— & Pholcus under rocks & in the corner of every room may be seen violently agitating with its long legs the web.— Amongst the next division Orbiteles.—

Epeira Epeira is most singularly numerous & interesting: it is a large & numerous family not a genus.— The paths in the forest are barricaded with the strong yellow web of (the division Dic Class I++). Also others of same division & of (II++1) are exceedingly abundant.— Number construct their webs over the water: especially one with a red coniceous covering to abdomen.— Many belonging to this latter section are singular by strange form & colour.— The species of Epeira with the tibiæ of 2nd pair of legs enlarged & spinose.— There is no end to the singularity & numbers of this genus.—

(c) Tetra gnatha. Several species are common amongst the rushes over water.

Vagabondes Amongst the spiders, the Vagabondes are here in exceeding plenty.— Every walk is crossed by Ctenus & Lycosa.— & upon the blades of grass Oxyopes (in its habits belonging to the next division) actively springs about.—

[62v]

(a) I observed, cast up on the beach, those waxy looking balls, formed of flattened cells, which contain the eggs of the Bucinum.─

(b) Monoclass Ostracordes, Blainville.

63

Rio de Janeiro

1832 April: May: June:

General Observations Arachnidæ Vagabondes

In the Saltigrades the typical genus Salticus is almost infinite in species.— In sweeping amongst herbage nearly as many spiders as Coleoptera are taken, especially of this last family.— And lastly under rotting wood Phalangium is abundant: & still more the sub-genus Gonoleptes.— I found one strange species, at superior base of hinder legs was a claw, & also corresponding ones on the hips, which together formed a pair of posterior pincers with which the insect seized any object.— Living in same site as these latter were Cloporta, Tuli & Polydermi.— together with few Scolopendiæ.─

Proceeding to the Coast: the rocks as at Bahia & other Tropical places are frequented by large bodies of Ligia.— Beneath the water are many species of Pilumnus.— On the Fuci are some Amphipodes & many Læmodipodes. Either from the exposed site or zone, there were no Stony Coralls: certainly the flexible such as (a) Cellaria, Sertularia, Amphiroa were more abundant than in lower Latitudes.— In the fresh water, besides Coleoptera already mentioned are Leaches & Crustacean Entomostraca.— & numerous Molloscous animals such as Planorbis, Ampullaria in most wonderful numbers & Physa, Cyclas & Chondras.— If Tertiary strata are formed in Tropical countries the numbers of fresh-water

[63v]

(a) Page of Geology, 35 (2nd bed)

(b) No. 619 (not spirits)

(c) June 1833.— Maldonado.— I accidentally kept an Ampullaria in a room for more than a month, at the end of which time there was much water within the shell & the animal was quite alive.— A lake having suddenly been drained by the breaking of an embankment, I noticed the manner in which the Ampullariæ buried themselves in the sand.— With the mouth of shell on the surface they revolved (I imagine by the slight motion of Operculum) excessively slowly in a direction towards outer edge of mouth of shell.— i.e. this edge would meet the sand.— By turning a shell in this direction, it acts something like a centre-bit, & by its own weight will bury itself.—

64

Rio de Janeiro

1832 April: May: June:

General Observ: (c) shells is easily understood.— It would appear that these shells (& certainly Ampullaria), when the puddles of water dry up, bury themselves in the mud & thus like the Crocodiles mentioned by Humboldt undergo a sort Hybernation or more properly Aestivation.— When the rain first fell I was astonished & could not explain the numbers which appeared of full size in every ditch & little pools which had previously been dry.—

In my geological notes I have mentioned the lagoons on the coast which contain either salt or fresh water.— The Lagoa near the Botanic Garden is one of this class.— the water is not so salt as the sea, for only once in the year a passage is cut for sake of the fishes.— The beach is composed of large grains of quartz & very clean. if cemented into a breccia or sandstone it would precisely (a) resemble the one a rock at Bahia containing marine shells.—  (b) A small Turbo appeared the only proper inhabitant, & thus differed from the lagoons on the Northern coast in the absence of those large bodies of Bivalves.— I was surprised on the borders to see a few Hydrophili inhabiting this salt water, & some Dolimedes running on the surface.

Whilst I ascended the Caucovado.— I measured some of the trees; the circumference

65

Rio de Janeiro

1832 April: May: June:

General Observation: of the greater number of trees, as in the interior, is not more than from 3 to 4 feet.— I only saw one 7ft & another the largest 9ft & 7 inches.— One of those remarkable trees which have plates running from the roots up the trunk had an apparent diameter of 7ft 3inch.— One of the plates projected at a mean distance of 3 feet & was not above 2 or 3 inches thick.— This fact has been noticed by all travellers.—I could not help noticing how exactly the animals & plants in each region are adapted to each other.— Every one must have noticed how Lettuces & Cabbages suffer from the attacks of Caterpillars & Snails.— But when transplanted here in a foreign clime, the leaves remain as entire as if they contained poison.— Nature, when she formed these animals & these plants, knew they must reside together.—

Metereology Botofogo Temperature

My observations in Metereology have been very scanty.— The Thermometer taken at 9 AM & 9 PM from May 14th . . . to June 8th (with some exceptions altogether 43 observations) give as a mean result Temperature 71°.84.— The highest at which I saw it (at those times) was 75° & lowest 65°.— May 26th 1 PM. Therm: on white cotton exposed to rays of sun stood at 122°.—

Running water at the elevation of some 2 or 3 hundred feet at Tijeuka & on Caucovado was 66°.—

[65v]

(a) The Tem: is taken from Thermometrical observations as being more accurate.—

(b) Captain King from 5 observations with Barom: makes the height 2330 (I; 2225)

66

Rio de Janeiro

1832

Metereology Thermometer plunged into a spring on Caucovado (May 30th) stood at 73°.—

Barometer. The mean height from same number of observa: as Therm: & times of day & period is 30.333.— Attached Therm: 71.7.— therefore & corrected height 30.295.— The highest I ever observed it (uncorrected) was 30.545, & lowest 30.072.— Although the whole range of variation is small; yet the height of mercury even for few hours never remained constant.—

Hygrometer From May 14th to June 12th with some exceptions, 23 observa: taken at 8 AM.— give mean results.—

Dew Point 63°.26 Force 0inch.587

(a) Temp: 69°.99 Weight of Cub. foot 6.335 grain

Diff: 6°.73

On May 17th the Diff: was 9°, which was the greatest: it is remarkable on this day the upper regions of atmosphere were surcharged with clouds & in one hour Therm fell 4° & Barom rose 0.021 & heavy rain commenced. Vide infìa.—

(b) On May 30th ascended Caucovado (elevation 2300 feet) & was in a thin cloud. Captain King from 5 observations with Barom: makes the height 2330 (I; 2225) the diff between Dew P & Temp was scarcely perceptible, both being 60.5.— Observation made below 4 & ½ hours previously gave dew P. 61.7.— & Temp 68°.— So that in ascending the latter fell 7°.5, whilst Dew point only 1°.2.—

Winds were generally light & sky very frequently overcast. (V page 40 respecting the latter).—

Rain From May 10th . . . to June 8th inches 3.75 fell.— On May 17 it rained very heavily, between 9 AM & 3 PM 1.60.— out of which 1.06 fell in three hours.— During 6 minutes 0.38.—

67

Rio de Janeiro

1832 May 4th

Trichodes Having placed a Murex in fresh water, the fluid in the course of two days became rather putrid: & contained an infinite number of Trichodes invisible to naked eye. I think there were at least three species.

Plagiotricha Animalcule flattened egg shaped, sides (not those flattened) not quite corresponding; white very transparent, containing in interior from about 5 to 15 minute balls.— largest specimens in length .002, the greater number half that.— Moved rapidly, with the broard flattened side uppermost, either end first, chiefly rotatory; & by starts.— Body slightly contractile. As their power became exhausted, on the upper side & near to one end might be seen a linear apparatus rapidly vibrating.— As the surrounding water dries up, death irrecoverable comes on suddenly.— Mixture of Spirits of Wine did not act so decisively as I expected.— I have this animal from Bory St Vincents article in Dic Class: the shapes does not agree with species figured in Plate B Genus 44.— Fig: 16 & 17

Plagiotricha Animalcule. Much flattened, elliptic, length .0005. swims not so universally on broard side.—

Oxitricha Animalcule shaped like a partially opened muscle  shell, division reaching to the base, has the power of extending itself almost into a straight line.— length .002.— Moves rapidly with one divided end first, generally with a rotatory motion on the long axis of body.— there were but few of these.— Differs from the one figured in Dic: Class: Plate C Genus 46, in the division reaching much further down than those drawn.—

[67v]

(a) Are these minute balls Ova? & the shorter fibrils ovaria without the eggs.— these shorter are exactly equal either in order (Vide Figure) or in size.—

(b) Occasionally the part (D) being much drawn in, the extremity E forms a cap over tube (c) The terminal organ (E) is capable of being

(c) No. 310 (in tube with Biphoria)

(k) August 23d. Lat 37°8 S & Long 56.46 W, found considerable numbers of this animal; having a better opportunity of more accurately examined it.— The peduncle was internal (as in the second & evidently most common case) & the depending veil within the marginal tentacula: (if the animal had been in state as Plate the depending veil would of course have been outside the tentacula):— The concave (convex in Plate) "ombrelle" (Fig 2) is of considerable thickness, but so very transparent, that I did not formerly perceive it.— Again I find the tail of peduncle opens within this thick part & not externally; also that the finer cross of striæ is not contractile or muscular but internal.— The mouth of peduncle is quadrangular & capable of much motion: the true vermiform arm (H) approximates at base & between them is a conical pap.— The margin of "ombrelle" was not so regular as drawn: the two sorts of tentacula (Fig 3) regularly alternate.— the shorter (b) is composed of concentric rings & is highly extensible; these 4 are situated at extremities of the cross. Behind each of them was another small one, internally connected with it.— The other tentacula (a) are curved & have a narrow footstalk, the little balls lie on one side & are from 7 to 9 in number.— During the time I kept them altered their appearance XX

68

Rio de Janeiro………. M. Video

1832 July

Moon coloured rings At 11 oclock PM of the 14th of July (off St Catherines) the moon was surrounded by beautifully coloured rings.— Around the disk there was a highly luminous circle edged with red.— The diameter of this (including the moon) was 1°.45′.— Then came one of greenish blue also edged with red, this as broard as to make the diameter of whole halo to be 2°.90′. The appearance only lasted a short time & disappeared gradually.— The sky was of a pale blue; & was traversed with some scattered Cumili driven swiftly along by a Northerly breeze.—

Dianœa Lamarck (c) (Pelagia. Cuvier?) July 19th3.— Lat 30° 31′.— Plate 4: Fig: 5 represents animal natural size, diameter .2.— Fig: 2 is the dorsal surface (K) (as afterwards will be shown this probably is not the commonest form of animal). back convex, octagonal.— at each angle a projecting fibril, which is highly flexible & contractile, & capable of seizing any object (?) — These are of two sorts (Fig 3), one shorter thicker & striated transversely; the other long transparent within about seven little balls.— These fibrils are seated on a tube running round the edge.— which also is contractile.— In centre is cylindrical hollow projecting tube, terminated (peduncle Lamarck) by an organ capable of assuming various shapes.— Fig: 4 (a) is end of simple tube: (D) is part rather narrower, with transverse folds & capable of much contraction & expansion: (E) is the rather quadrilateral, margin uneven.— within this are 2 lateral, fine, pointed transparent tubes, either (b) capable of being protruded, & highly irritable.— The terminal organ (E) is capable of being

[68v]

XX  & one seemed to burst & sent forth its eggs. In all probability these correspond to the four ovaries in G Cyanœa.—

The animal moves by taking in water in the bag formed by concave surface of "ombrelle" & depending veil, & expelling it with violence.— I thought the Medusa used its powers of motion to avoid being taken?—

The end of peduncle can fold its margin back over itself.— Some of these animals being kept in water till they were dead.— were luminous.

[page gap]

(a) opposite] Medusæ moving by sudden contractions.— Body highly transparent colourless.—

The sea contained Lat 33°.15′ S Long 50° 8′ W [word 'contain' repeated] vast numbers of these Radiata

69

Rio de Janeiro………. M. Video

1832

Dianœa expanded into a funnel shaped cup.— in this case the pair of vermiform tubes are more easily seen.— In Fig: (2) on the convex surface there may be seen a faint cross of fibres: it would appear to be the muscular organ of contraction.— From the octagonal margin (& not drawn in plate) there depends a delicate membrane which is slightly contractile at its inferior margin, forming a sort of bag.— In this shape I found the animal, but being kept it altered shape of body very remarkably & I think this latter the most natural.— The dorsal surface became much inflated, but was protruded through the octagonal margin on the other & inferior surface.— & the depending veil was turned upwards.— so that the central tube was now in the inside of body (In short the animal turned itself outside inward, every part except the tube.—If now taken, it would be described as a transparent bag with central octagonal girth round the centre & an depending internal tube.— the basal aperture of tube being open (which formerly was interiorly) & now exterior.— The animal assumed another modification of this form. by much contracting the octagonal rim & the inferior margin of the veil, its shape was that of 2 spheres united, in the superior one of which is the internal tube.— How strange that the same body should have such shapes as (a) the first & this latter.— This Animal as others,

[69v]

(a) Both large & small specimens possessed this organ.—

(b) The external aperture was not very distinct.— nor was the current of the water.—

(d) This animal was in considerable numbers:— We were in shoaling water (not coloured fine blue) about 100 miles off the mouth of the Plata.—

(e) No. 310

(k) These bags were delicately attached (as drawn) to the central tube.

(m) Is it not possible that this thickened edge is a vessel as in animal described in P 82, Aug 30th?.—

(x) From a careful examination of an animal very closely allied to this (V Page (91) Septr 5th) I am able to pronounce upon several parts of this ones organization.— In all probability, the central vessel opens at both upper extremities & widely posteriorly : that the intestine shaped tubes (full of pulpy matter) can be protruded at orifices (a a): that the membrane described in central tube vessel is really a sack, lying on vessel, & widely open posteriorly; & the coloured rims, 2 folded up vessels in sack.— it is not impossible that I may have overlooked a circulation connecting central vessel with 8 external bands.— I forgot to say; that the intestine tubes are partly received in a receptacle here described as "an opake membrane".—

N.B For more information about this animal V. note (b) Page 96.


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Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

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