TUBULARIA. 13 



gularity and symptoms of approaching decay, augment in proportion to its 

 advancing maturity, while the aspect of the stomach also indicates that its 

 functions are required no more. It is impossible to overlook the corre- 

 spondence of these conspicuous facts with that uniform principle of Nature, 

 obviously testifying a warmer solicitude for perpetuation of the progeny 

 than for the permanence of the parent. How few are the effectual pro- 

 visions for warding off a mortal blow from the strongest or the weakest 

 of animated beings ? How numerous the cares and precautions that others 

 shall exist ? How infinite are the means of destroying life ! The elements 

 themselves seem to conspire against it. Mjnriads which have lived perish 

 in a moment ; while the lapse of time is demanded for their evolution and 

 maturity, — yet Nature forbids extirpation of their race. Whence is utter 

 destruction counteracted, and inevitable fate compensated by multiplica- 

 tion. 



The cyst expels its contents as a sphere or an ellipsoid, from which 

 external organs are about to unfold ; — or their evolution may ensue while 

 still retained within it. But, the head carrying along with it the whole 

 ovarium, is likewise observed to separate ; and in falling to dissolve amidst 

 the circumambient fluid. As all our observations here are restricted of 

 necessity to the artificial state of the product from confinement, it may 

 be demanded, which of these alternatives is the natural process ? — Proba- 

 bly expulsion of the foetus from the ovarium only. There are reasons for 

 believing it so. 



Concomitant decay of the parts being conjoined with progressive ma- 

 turity of the embryo, did the fall of the head bring down the whole ova- 

 rium along with it, supervening putrescence might contaminate and consume 

 the contents in whatever stage. This ensues, indeed, very often in con- 

 finement ; — the fallen head, together with the ovarium, become a common 

 mass of corruption. Therefore, expulsion of the nascent being from the 

 cyst, should precede the fall of the head ; — which seems to be required by 

 the laws providing for conservation of the race. Whether a second pro- 

 geny may be then generated in the vacant cyst is unknown. The per- 

 manence and vigour of the head, however, are perhaps exhausted by the 

 discharge of the first. 



