ALCYONIDIUM. 33 



tinued observation. Perhaps it might be averted by dashing recent water 

 over them very frequently, whereby the wonted tendency would be 

 checked, and at length the moulding prevented. 



Plate IX. Fie. 1. Flustra Mspida. 



2. The same, enlarged. 



3. Slice of the surface of a specimen, shewing the spines. 



4. A different view of a group of cells. 



5. Hydra. 



6. Hydra quitting and falling from the cell. 



7. Hydra having fallen from the cell. 



8. Elliptical ciliated gcmmule. 



9. Cell and hydra from the gemmule. 



10. The same, farther advanced. 



1 1 . Nascent Flustra, with a second cell originating. 



12. The same, still farther advanced, by the development of a 



second hydra. 



13. The same, in maturity. 



All the figures of this Plate, except the first, are enlarged. 



§ 2. Alcyonidium parasiticum. — Plate X. — This, like the former, 

 is an investing zoophyte, but the difference between them is such, that 

 they ought certainly to stand much farther asunder. I am unacquainted, 

 however, with the intermediate species, if there are any, which should be 

 interposed. Whether there is a chain of connecting links, binding all 

 animated nature in close alliance, I cannot affirm. There is great reason to 

 conclude, that the different tribes of animals which have inhabited the world 

 since the creation, are not separated by extraordinary intervals. We 

 behold some nearly approximated, and we know that there are numbers 

 Avhose race is at this day extinct. The kindred of animals will be best 

 ascertained, from the long and patient study of a profusion of species, and 

 of specimens in vigorous life. 



The present section being devoted to investing ascidian zoophytes in 

 general, may be perhaps accounted a sufficient reason for introducing the 



VOL. II. e 



