46 VIGNETTES FROM INVISIBLE LIFE. 



opaque and of a more solid and substantial 

 character. 



It lias been a subject of much dispute whether 

 this tower or case is solid or cylindrical. The truth 

 is that when young it is perfectly cylindrical, with 

 those curved indentations or folds as stays or sup- 

 ports ; and it may remain so under favourable con- 

 ditions for a long time. However, as often as off- 

 spring are produced, so often is there an extra secre- 

 tion of jelly ; and this sometimes fills up the tube so 

 much as to leave only room enough for the animal 

 to move up and down, and the young have to eat 

 their way riglit through it to get out. These re- 

 marks lead us back to the young and but just 

 newly-hatched Stephanoceros. Finding itself sur- 

 rounded by this cylindrical structure, it exerts itself 

 to get out; and, gradually making its way up- 

 wards, swims gently out near the top, where the 

 gelatinous folds are so very thin Mid flexible that no 

 rupture appears to have been made by its exit. 



No one would recognize this now roving little 

 creature as a Stephanoceros who had not seen it 

 hatched or known it previously ; and it passes 

 through another stage before finally appearing in 



