POWER OF REPRODUCTION. 417 



and were therefore at once transferred to Goadbv's 



f 



invaluable solution." 



Far be it from us to say anything in disparagement 

 of " Goadby's solution ' as a means of preserving at 

 least the wrecks of defunct specimens ; but whoever 

 hopes to appreciate the beauties of a Polyzoon must 

 examine it alive and in its full vigour, 



" For alum styptics, with contracting power, 

 Shrink its thin essence like a rivell'd flower." 



No, no ! a pickled Sylph or a potted Beroe would form 

 objects for the microscope quite as instructive as a 

 Bowerbankia marinee a la Fortnum and Mason. 



Notwithstanding the complexity of structure so 

 conspicuous in these highly organized zoophytes, it 

 has been observed by Professor Reid, that in certain 

 pedunculated species (Pedicellina) the body of the 

 Polyzoon will fade and perish, and a new one will be 

 reproduced in its place. A few days before this 

 occurs, the tentacula remain permanently retracted ; 

 the body becomes opake, and at length falls off. 

 After the lapse of a few days, however, the top of the 

 stalk enlarges, and a minute bulb presents itself, in 

 which the different parts of the polyp are developed, 

 so that in time it assumes the proportions and duties 

 of its predecessor, a circumstance, which will enable 

 the reader to understand how voluntary decapitation, 

 as Mr. Hincks observes, in these creatures is not 

 necessarily liable to a verdict offelo de se. 



T 5 



