TUBULAEIA. 19 



tlie product, and that its absence indicates or prognosticates decay. Though 

 not putrescent in itself at first, the water is so speedily tainted by it that 

 the subsequent preservation of specimens needs to be scarcely attempted. 



This peculiar substance appears to have an important influence over 

 life and organization. 



If, admitting the evolution of living animals, from an elementary 

 principle comprising the rudiments of their organs, we find a profound and 

 difixcult question, — Where is the site of the germ ? 



This elementary principle may be conjectured as either of primordial 

 nature, existing an atom, involved by a series of other atoms, each develop- 

 ing into sensible form as opportunity admits ; or it may be conjectured to 

 result from a deposition of matter, secreted from the mature living pro- 

 duct into some cellular receptacle, whence it shall be subsequently evolved 

 when in such a state as to be susceptible of attaining an independent con- 

 dition. 



If the germ be lodged amidst the pith, there seems no point through- 

 out the whole length of the stalk from which it may not be developed, 

 and that far below the summit, should the portion above be sundered. 

 Nevertheless, we must guard ourselves from that delusion, where, of a sub- 

 ject to be so imperfectly discovered, there may be a bud in progress, which 

 we believe is yet only a germ. 



Wherever the germ or the bud be reposited, the presence of the pith 

 is indispensable for the reproductive process ; and whether the elements of 

 this process be displayed as internal germination, resulting from secretion 

 and deposition, on springs of a primordial germ, the principle appears to be 

 lodged below. That this may be presumed is, first from the new heads of 

 natural reproduction being observed to rise in the tubular stalk ; secondly, 

 from the numerous reproductions obtained by artificial sections. 



After attaining a certain age and consistence, the elementary prin- 

 ciple is present of definite size and form in the course of its ascent ; yet, 

 while still insensible to view, and in some early stage it is susceptible of 

 injury, of laceration, and partition by an edged instrument, as is proved 

 by its future evolution, with distorted, multiplied, or superabundant parts. 



Supposing the summit of three or four stalks amidst a group to be 



