334 HISTORY OF BRITISH ZOOPHYTES. 



species of Bryozoa are furnislied, have engaged the careful 

 attention of iiaturaHsts, and their form and movements 

 have been accurately described. But though we have many 

 conjectures as to their precise function, and relation to the 

 economy of the animal, few facts have as yet been recorded 

 which throw light on the uses of tliis curious portion of 

 structure. Such being the case, the following observations 

 may have some interest. 



" The organ to which I refer bears a striking resemblance 

 to a miniature bird^s head, and is mounted on a short pe- 

 dicle, furnished in most cases with a basal joint, by means 

 of which it can be swayed backward and forward. These 

 'processes' are distributed in great numbers over the poly- 

 pidom, one being generally placed on each cell. 



" The beaks are continually gaping and closing with 

 much vehemence ; and the entire organ is frequently swung 

 to and fro. The movements, as it has often been noted, 

 are quite independent of the polypes ; and Mr. Darwin has 

 well remarked, that in their functions these bodies ' are 

 related rather to the axis than to any of the polype.' 



" There is something very comical in tlie energy and 

 earnestness with wliich these tiny jaws open and close, and 

 throw themselves about, no cause being apparent, in general. 



