10 ZOOPHYTES. 



original cell is necessarily horizontal to afford a secure foundation for the 

 future colony, which is to people a vertical leaf. 



The originating Flustra;, in various stages, are represented as they 

 have appeared under slightly diversified form, the result of various experi- 

 ments and observations. 



In as nearly as could be ascertained, the corpuscula issuing from 

 specimens, obtained on February 28, had become motionless, and adher- 

 ing on March 20. The first nascent hydra from one had attained matu- 

 rity March 31 ; the second on April 9 ; and the third on April 22. 

 Therefore, nine, ten, or eleven days seemed to bring each to perfection. 



But many irregularities will disturb the observer's conclusions. Some- 

 times a mature leaf, studded with corpuscula, produces them within 

 twenty-four hours of being set aside, and the corpuscula may become 

 motionless in a few days, when the fundamental hydra will appear more 

 speedily than the preceding. Numerous orange corpuscula in the cells, 

 apparently mature on November 19, issued forth, became motionless, and 

 from the sole of some a hydra was displayed on January 22. Yet, even 

 now, an interval of sixty-four days, none had been generated in the rising 

 leaf, nor were these hydra; above two or three days old. But on Fe- 

 bruary 4. two cells were on some of the rising leaves. Nevertheless, about 

 eleven days, or from nine to eleven, seem to bring the hydra; successively 

 to maturity. 



It is very rarely, however, that the nascent Flustra survives to gene- 

 rate three hydra;. Perhaps it depends partly on the season ; a genial 

 temperature being more favourable for speedy evolution. Experiment is 

 sometimes utterly abortive. The corpuscula or gemmules either do not 

 attain sufficient strength and maturity to quit the leaf, or having done so, 

 and become motionless, the originating product decays after some diffu- 

 sion. Neither when the gemmule does germinate are two cotemporary 

 hydra; to be often obtained.* In March 1839, being desirous of confirm- 



* In compliance with modern fashion, I call these bodies gemmules, though, in the 

 strictest sense, they do not come under the precise definition applicable to a gemmule or 

 bud. They are more properly ova advanced to an embryonic or rather foetal condition. 



