128 THE AQUARIAN NATURALIST. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



CAMPANULARIAN ZOOPHYTES. 



THERE is a great resemblance between these Zoophytes 

 and the Sertularians described in the preceding 

 chapter, insomuch indeed that the reader will find it 

 difficult to distinguish them. 



The CAMPANULARI.E may, however, be recognized 

 by the following characters. The polyp- stems, which 

 are plant-like and horny, are rooted by a creeping 

 tubular fibre, either branched or simple. The polyp- 

 cells are thin and campanulate, that is, bell-shaped, 

 and, moreover (instead of being, as in the Sertu- 

 larians, sessile upon the sides of the stem and 

 branches), are in the Campanularise terminal and 

 elevated on foot-stalks, which are disposed either 

 alternately or in an irregular manner. The germs of 

 progeny are developed, as in the Sertularians, in 

 horny, deciduous capsules, or ' ' reproductive vesicles," 

 as they are termed ; but the young, instead of pre- 

 senting the form of Planulse, or resembling young 

 Planarise, make their appearance as Medusae, thus 

 affording another remarkable example of Medusi- 

 parous birth. 



We have already found among the Hydroid Zoo- 

 phytes, that the Medusiparous mode of reproduction 



