4G2 



THE MICROSCOPE. 



Polypifera. — The chief characteristic of this vast race 

 of animals is, that their mouths are surrounded by 



:*s 



& 



i'v': 



*^ 



radiating tentacula, arranged some- 

 whatlike the ray of a flower; and hence 

 the term Zoophyte. So plant-like 

 indeed, are their forms, that the early 

 observers regarded them as vegetating 

 stones, and invented many theories to 

 explain their growth. 



They belong to a sub-kingdom 

 termed C&lenterata, now divided and 

 subdivided by Professor Huxley into 

 the following : — 



Septa, 4c. , x 5 or 6. Septa, &c, * 4. 



Simple soft-bodied. 



1. ACTINID/E. 1. BEROID.&. 



A^tinea, Minyas. Cydippe, Cestum. 



Compound — Skeleton spicular. 



2. ZoANTHIDJE. 2. ALCYONIDJ5. 



Zoanthus. Alcyonlum. 



Compound — Skeleton sclerobasic. 



?>. Antipathid^:. 3. Gorgonid.*.. 



Antipathes. Gorgonia, Isis, 



Corallium. 



Compound and Simple — Skeleton thecal — continuom 



4. Perforata. 



Purites, Madrepota. 



5. Tabulata. 

 Millepord, Seriatopora. 



6. Aporosa. 

 Cyathina, Ocul/na. 

 Astrcea, Funyia. 



4. TUBIPORID^. 



Tubipora. 



5. Rugosa. 

 Stauria, Cyathanoniti. 

 Cynthophyllum. 

 Cystiphyllum. 



--)t-m&M 



Opposed to all our common ideas 

 of animal life is this singular portion 

 of creation. If we cut a limb oft' a tree, 

 or sever that of an animal, these parts 

 will wither and decompose, by passing 

 into other forms of matte*'. Cut a tree 

 across its middle^ and its natural sj^mmetry is irrepa- 

 rably disfigured ; slit it down its centre, and it is de- 

 stroyed : all animals so treated suffer instant death, with 

 the exception of the polype tribe ; for they will put forth 

 new limbs, form a new head or tail, and if slit, become 

 two separate perfect creatures. 



Fig. 230. — Asteroid 

 Zoophytes. 



