112 ZOOPHYTES. 



pied. No doubt reasons may be given, — we can readily conjecture the 

 absence, or the suspension, of those conditions essential for the evolution 

 of animated beings, and the support of animal life for a season, and their 

 renovated energies when similar obstructions cease. 



As the pond, the precincts, and a large portion of the neighbouring 

 territory belong to some of my nearest and dearest relatives, every thing 

 was placed at my disposal to promote such investigations as I had in 

 view. 



In confident expectation of the return of the zoophyte, whose disap- 

 pearance I was induced to ascribe to some unknown temporary obstruc- 

 tion, posts were fixed in different parts of the pond during September 

 1834, so that the ova might have a secure harbour, and that the young 

 issuing from them should be preserved always under water. 



On drawing the posts in autumn 1835, this proved to have been an 

 abortive expedient ; neither were any Alcyonelltc to be discovered on 

 others which had stood there ever from the time of obtaining the speci- 

 mens in 1831. 



Therefore it was not unreasonable to conclude, that this species, the 

 only one of its genus inhabiting the place, had been utterly extirpated. 



There is no pursuit whatever among all that engage the attention of 

 mankind, requiring more protracted time, or more anxious care for satis- 

 factory investigation, than the natural history of living animals. It is not 

 an hour, a day, or a season that suffices, for hardly is any indefinite series 

 of years enough, computing merely by time. Neither is it the transient in- 

 spection of a single, nay, of a number of specimens, that will elucidate the 

 subject, unless many concurring circumstances favour the observer, for he 

 may be left in doubt after all. 



Renewing my search for the preceding object in the year 1837, I ac- 

 knowledge that it was not without surprise that I now discovered a profu- 

 sion of the Alcyonella, and of that kind, which, if not to be identified 

 with it, might be noted as a variety : Not denying, however, that some 

 may judge this product a different species. 



The pond had been reduced very low during 1836, in which year it 

 was not visited by me ; but in 1837, it was full even to overflowing. 



