214 ZOOPHYTES. 



tency of assuming this part of the organization as a permanent charac- 

 teristic. 



Vegetation. — As already alluded to in the history of other Sertularia, 

 the natural configuration of this species is disturbed by a vigorous reno- 

 vating extremity coming in contact with some solid substance, such as 

 the side of the vessel containing it. Now, there is no room allowing 

 the alternate origin of branches from the circumference of the stem, 

 during ascent, if that be the mode of its growth. All issue from the out- 

 side of the stem, which is climbing in adhesion. From each side of a 

 stem of the same diminutive proportions as the adhering shoot, a branch is 

 generated. Such branches appear as mere spines in this adhering vegeta- 

 tion. The higher extremity of the vegetation does not itself flourish ; but 

 a little lower, a spine shoots out, of which the summit soon enlarges with 

 a bell and hydra. At this juncture, the extremity of the vegetation hav- 

 ing advanced somewhat higher still, without flourish, a new spine, a little 

 lower than the top shoots out, M'hich speedily enlarges above with a bell, 

 wherein a second hydra is developed. Thus the second hydra is midway 

 between the first and the ascending extremity of the vegetation. Next, 

 while the two are flourishing, a spine shoots out of the twig, bearing the 

 first or lower hydra, forking with it and flourishing likewise ; meantime 

 the same succeeds in relation to the second or higher hydra — the stem 

 in adhesion still continuing its ascent. By this process the lateral vege- 

 tation, by means of branches, enlarges the expansion of the new produc- 

 tion generated of the adhering shoot ; but it is not to the same extent as 

 the vertical vegetation. 



The progress of this Sertularia, adhering thus by a shoot in contact, 

 is sometimes rapid. A new hydra has been brought to maturity in 48 

 hours, from a point where a spine was previously imperceptible. 



The originating stem ascending in this manner advances a line in 30 

 hours, or about an inch in eight days. 



The extremity of such a regeneration as now described having reach- 

 ed the side of a vessel, it ascended by adhesion, and dispersed lateral 

 branches, also in adhesion during its ascent. In about a month 62 spines, 

 bells, and hydrse were generated, whereof 30 sprung from the stem, the 



