176 ASTEROIDAL ZOOPHYTES. 



belong to the fresh-waters of Scotland ; nor have I heard of any in those 

 of other countries. 



All are compound, as above said ; the individual hydra being con- 

 nected with a substance common to the whole. The hydra, like that of 

 the genera already described, is solitary only in its origin, and the life of 

 each in the most numerous society is independent of the condition of the 

 others. If any common functions are carried on by them they are unknown, 

 farther than that the mass may be benefited by the whole. Thus it is 

 sensibly enlarged ; and by some absorbent faculty, through whatever me- 

 dium it operates, a specimen, though small and flaccid, can resume greater 

 intumescence, than previously, by new absorption. Nevertheless, this in- 

 tumescence does not visibly affect the individual hydra themselves, for they 

 become no larger, but the common basis appears to receive all the liquid 

 imbibed. 



The external operation by which all the race is affected has, much in- 

 fluence on the appearance of specimens, but the means by which it reaches 

 them is not obvious. It is either beneficial or prejudicial, but nothing 

 can be more different than specimens in either state. Being soft and 

 fleshy, their dimensions and the protrusion or contraction of the parts 

 would preclude their identification as the same object in their opposite 

 condition. 



All when in the highest vigour are beautiful and interesting objects ; 

 their luxuriance consisting in the amplitude of the whole subjects, toge- 

 ther with the ornamental display of a multitude of peculiarly formed 

 hydra. 



I cannot do more, however, than submit to the reader a very scanty 

 assemblage of general observations on each kind of the Carnose or Asteroi- 

 (h I Zoophytes which have occurred to me. 



§ 1. Lobularia. — Alcyonium digitatum. — Dead Man's Hand. — 

 Mermaid's Glove. — Plate XLII. — The various names bestowed on this 

 marine production, shew the vague resemblance it bears to other subjects, 

 and the indefinite sentiments prevailing on its nature, or, to speak more 



