14 ZOOPHYTES. 



Yet a new ovarium developes from a regenerated head, if it be suffi- 

 ciently vigorous ; whence the fall of an old prolific head does not seem to 

 be accidental but a provision of nature. 



Probably the evolution of an ovarium from a regenerated head is re- 

 strained by the famine suffered in confinement impairing the general 

 vigour of the subject ; thence it is not common. Nevertheless, examples 

 do occur, though always on a limited scale. — Plate II. fig. 5. enlarged. 

 None have ever appeared as ample clusters, or have hung in luxuriance. 



The clustering ovaria are generally confined to the largest heads, and 

 for the most part, March and April may be held the chief season of propa- 

 gation, though, as common to various other zoophytes, it is not absolutely 

 excluded from any period of the year. Let the influence of temperature 

 on organic evolution be kept in view, we shall see that the bottom of the 

 sea not being subject to the same alternation as the surface of the earth, 

 nor exposed to similar refrigeration, may account for that incessant gene- 

 ration and reproduction which seems to suffer little interruption. 



The finest ovarium ever occurring to me was in February 1826. On 

 gross computation, between 200 and 300 cysts were distributed among ten 

 or eleven clusters, composing it. The head laid on a flat surface spread 

 like a star, the opposite points of the rays about nine lines asunder. But 

 the multitude of parts in such limited compass, precluded distinct inspec- 

 tion of the division and subdivision of the clusters, and the peculiar appro- 

 priation of the cysts to each ; likewise satisfactory delineation of the whole 

 was impracticable. In March 1841 and September 1842, clusters of ova- 

 ria were seen depressing the heads of tubulariae by their weight. Some 

 heads bore nine clusters, and some clusters had thirty cysts. 



Throughout animated nature, there is not a subject better adapted for 

 profound contemplation, or which can excite greater admiration of man- 

 kind than the enclosure of a germ susceptible of life and evolution as a 

 perfect being in an egg. What device alike suitable could have been 

 contrived as adapting a point — that which has no parts and no magnitude — 

 to carry on successive generations, accompanying the infinite course of time ? 

 Let the mind wander over the boundless extent of the animal kingdom ; — 

 let our sight behold the varied — the endless, the indescribable forms com- 



