42 ZOOPHYTES. 



2. TuBULARiA LARYNX.* — Plate V. — The preceding disquisition, 

 prolix, no doubt, to those impatient for conclusions, will enable us to ab- 

 breviate the history of this singular genus, for all participate of a common 

 nature, though exhibited under conspicuous modifications. 



The larger organic bodies afford the observer many enviable facilities, 

 compared with the series of those animated beings, vanishing by progres- 

 sive diminution from his view. 



The simplicity distinguishing the preceding product recommends it as 

 a suitable introduction to the knowledge of its more complex and more 

 diminutive kindred. Its external parts are few : the root a mere prolon- 

 gation of the stem, which latter, never dividing, is always single ; its di- 

 mensions are readily exposed to the naked eye, or they may be compassed 

 by moderate magnifiers. Farther, it is not of diflScult preservation. But 

 others, most minute, are of obscure and intricate formation, whether col- 

 lectively, when dwelling in society, or individually, if existing in a solitary 

 state. Thence they require separation, division, and a kind of analysis in 

 pursuing the investigation of their nature. 



Like the former, the Tubular ia larynjc is found either in a social or 

 a solitary state. 



In the month of December a group was recovered from the sea, re- 

 sembling a copious handful of white, crisp, baked horse hair, which rose 

 two inches high, and occupied a vessel of four inches diameter. 



Closer inspection discovered this to be a vast congeries ; — one of not 

 fewer than five hundred snowy tubes, crowned by scarlet animated^ blos- 

 soms of various hue. In the aggregate, it may be conipared to a fine and 

 beautiful tuft of pinks decorating a flower-garden. — Plate V. fig. 1. 



Viewed externally, it seemed doubtftd whether this luxuriant assem- 

 blage sprung from a single root or from many, the whole being some- 

 what contracted by convergence below. But one alike numerous is of rare 



* This name has been applied from the whirls or prominent rings sometimes on parts 

 of the stalks as resembling the windpipe. It is not warranted by such being a distinct and 

 invariable character. The whirls or convexities are the converse of the hollow circumfer- 

 ence of pulleys. 



