CHAPTER X. 



Resp^'ration and Circulation — A Transparent Ascidia — Organs of 

 Sight — Play of the Gills — Ciliary Waves — The Heart — Cours- 

 ing of the Blood globules — Reversal of the Current — "Na- 

 ture," what is it ? — The Praise of God — Luminosity of the 

 Sea — A Charming Spectacle — Light-producing Zoophytes — 

 Luminosity a Vital Function — Noctiluca, a luminous Animal- 

 cule — Its Structure — Production of its Embryo — The Slender 

 Coryne — Description — Parasites. 



RESPIRATION AND CIRCULATION. 



To take a stolen peep into the Adyta of nature's 

 mysteries, to surprise, as it were, life, carrying on its 

 more secret and recondite functions, must always afford 

 a peculiar pleasure to the reflecting and curious. This 

 the microscope often allows us to do ; and when our 

 eve is hrouo:ht to the little dark orifice of the wonder- 

 shewing tube, we may fancy that we are slyly peeping 

 through the keyhole of Madam Nature's door, her 

 laboratory door, where she is actually at work, con- 

 cocting and fashioning those marvellous forms which 

 constitute the world of living beings around us. 



I have been for the last two or three hours engaged 

 in v/atching two of the most important vital functions, 

 respiration and circulation, under circumstances of 

 unusual felicity for the study. In looking over one 



