HYDRAICE. 169 



lieightj irregularly branched^ and formed of parallel tubes. 

 The other variety makes little show as it creeps along the 

 stem of other corallines^ giving off on all sides its trumpet- 

 shaped, nearly sessile cells, forming a kind of brown beard 

 on the object to which it clings. Dr. Johnston remarks 

 that the little polype is shy, and will remain for days in a 

 contracted state at the bottom of its cell. Professor Reid 

 says it is sluggish; and Professor E. Forbes describes it as 

 the most active polype of its tribe he ever saw, starting up 

 and down its cell like one of the Ascidoids. 



" ^Tiom Nature's works can charm, with God himself 

 Hold converse ; grow familiar day by day 

 With His conceptions, act upon His plan, 

 And form to His, the relish of theii' souls." — Akenside. 



Tribe 3. HYDRINA. 



Family HYDEAID^. 



" It is difiicult for a thoughtful mind to decide whether 

 admiration is more deservedly challenged by the vast or the 

 minute forms of living existence around us ; but the adap- 

 tation of both to fulfil the purposes of their being, and the 

 varieties which intervene between the two extremes, cannot 



