FLUSTRA. 11 



ing some preceding observations, I procured a number of prolific Flustra\ 

 which afforded at least 150 nascent specimens from the orange corpuscula. 

 The first hydra bred readily enough from the sole ; but before evolution of 

 one from the leaf it decayed. I could not obtain the two together. 

 Many bred a single hydra from the leaf, but none bred two. 



However, the true intent of Nature seems to be the foundation of 

 the product by a horizontal cell, whatever may be the subsequent progress. 



On contemplating the corpusculum itself, we cannot view it other- 

 wise than as an organic body, endowed with vigorous animation ; and void 

 of any reference to the preceding history, the observer would denominate 

 it an animalculum mi generis, though an indefinite character, and applied 

 to that of which we must profess to know the least. 



The origin of this embrvonic corpusculum is in itself obscure : the 

 whole nature of zoophytes is obscure ; only scintillations of it are now be- 

 ginning to elucidate the arrangements of Nature, and the advance of 

 science. Certainly, to reason from analogy, it is generated within the 

 body of the parent, but whether liberated, as in other zoophytes, by decay 

 of that parent, I have not yet been able to ascertain. 



The cells are forsaken by the corpuscula very irregularly, whether in 

 respect to time or numbers ; they do not quit them in succession, as if 

 coming one after another to maturity. Sometimes they seem to be 

 elicited from their site by exposure of the specimen to the light. Nothing 

 farther has been understood of the duration of life and activity when they 

 are free, than that it has not exceeded five days. 



The death of the corpusculum does not necessarily generate the 

 nascent Flustra, but the origin of the latter certainly depends on that 

 event. 



From so copious a detail, the mode whereby the race is perpetuated 

 will be easily understood. The originating product is secured by the 

 fundamental cell, and the rising leaf is at length strengthened by a mar- 

 ginal band. Spite of its reinforcement, however, this adult appears very 

 often mutilated on recovery from the deep. 



The figure of a perfect specimen, young or old, is a leaf enlarging 

 upwards, with a circular edge. Every young specimen consists of only a 



