116 ZOOPHYTES. 



surface exhibited a congeries of compartments, somewhat angular and irre- 

 gularly confused together. The compartments or cellular receptacles were 

 indistinct. A portion of fig. 5 is represented by fig. 9 ; and the extremity 

 of another specimen investing a dark branch with a very thin stratum, 

 exposed the cells, as in fig. 10. When the under surface of the product 

 can be detached, its structure appears irregularly tubular, fig. 11. 



Propagation. — The latter species, with which we are now engaged, per- 

 petuates its race like its kindred, by numerous ova from each of the speci- 

 mens. 



Several prominences rose above the surface of a specimen which in- 

 vested six inches of a branch in the pond. One of these, nine lines high, 

 and as many in diameter, having been cut across, exposed a number of 

 short flexuous channels occupied by ova. 



In various other specimens, the ova could be recognized towards the 

 first of September ; and about the 20th, some had escaped by supervening 

 maturity. 



From subsequent observations, ova were observed in the body of the 

 hydra ; but this remarkable fact seemed to be ascertained, namely, that 

 the ovum does not properly belong to it, that is to the body, — probably a 

 general feature of the lunate zoophytes. 



Should such a hypothesis be well founded, the number and the period 

 of subsistence of ova in any individual hydra, may be variable and tran- 

 sient. 



I cannot affirm that so great an apparent anomaly may not be dependent 

 on the peculiar state of the product at a certain season of the year, or that 

 it would be hopeless to search for the rudiments of ova connected with the 

 hydra at some time of its life. But, that infinite variety of circumstances 

 does prevail about the period above specified, can be assumed from disco- 

 vering the ova occupying the bodies of hydra; yet vigorous, while they are 

 also contained in the conical projection remaining on decay. — Fig. 12, 

 a, b, c. 



Ova are seen between the common integumentary covering of the 

 body and the internal parts. Their number is not only indefinite, compre- 

 hending from one to seven, but the numbers actually contained are sub- 



