FLUSTRA. y 



one or two specimens survived. But none protruded when replenishing 

 the vessel on the 30th, nor did any obviously survive that period ; never- 

 theless, the parts were still rigid and elastic even in the middle of July. 



Now the nascent product resembled a flattened club to the naked eye ; 

 the upper part, from recent formation, white. 



No alteration having ensued, further observations on the subjects of 

 this course were abandoned in September. 



But the preceding, together with subsequent observations, afforded 

 many interesting facts. During the survivance of the hydra? of the older 

 Flustrae, numerous yellow corpuscula appear in other cells, so numerous, 

 that the specimen sometimes seems coloured by them. At the same time, 

 those having attained earlier maturity, are discovered swimmino- below, 

 generally near the bottom of the vessel, as if their specific gravity, bear- 

 ing an unequal preponderance against the power of their natatory organs, 

 restrained the facility of ascent. These corpuscula are soft, solid, and 

 consistent, of variable form, tending to rotundity ; some spherical, others 

 a flattened spheroid, or a short, thick, obtuse pear. One may assume all 

 different forms. The motion of the corpusculum is quick, without 

 velocity, tumbling over in the water, ascending or descending, following a 

 regular course, revolving on the axis, or describing an irregular orbit. 

 The external organs are short, erect, flexible cilia, with perhaps some others 

 casually displayed below in front. Motion of the corpusculum ceases in 

 several days ; but a yellow spot with a diffusing margin marks the place 

 where it dies. This becoming a central nucleus, diminishes gradually, as a 

 cell is formed for an originating hydra, in no respect resembling the ani- 

 mated corpusculum, but identified with the living hydra; of the Flustra 

 whence the corpusculum had issued. Next a projection from one end of 

 the cell rises as a germinating leaf, wherein the formation of a second cell 

 is accompanied by the evolution of a second hydra. But, as if the exis- 

 tence of the first were only preparatory for that of the second, the decay 

 of the one, follows the maturity of the other. Meanwhile, prolongation of 

 the leaf promises a companion to the survivor ; it broadens, and the sym- 

 metry of the product is preserved by the generation of other cells. 



According to this process, the purpose of Nature is obvious ; the 



VOL. II. B 



