(j ZOOPHYTES. 



occupied the cells, one in each, and filling the greater part of its cavity. 

 At the same time, animalcula of corresponding colour, dimensions, and 

 general aspect, were observed swimming in a different vessel, with later 

 specimens, while yellow spherules also remained in the cells, filling about 

 half their capacity. 



To the naked eye these moving beings were beautiful yellow globules, 

 evidently of considerable specific gravity ; they were conjectured to be 

 about the fifteenth of a line in diameter, but of unequal size. Their mo- 

 tion was rather quick, and they remained chiefly near the bottom of the 

 vessel, seldom ascending much in the water. 



Under the microscope this creature singly, proved of great opacity, 

 such as precluded any view of its internal organization. Externally, how- 

 ever, it clearly exhibited a circle of short cilia, instrumental for locomotion. 

 The shape of some was variable, as confirmed by future observation, 

 though its tendency in all is globular : and in some there appeared 

 longer organs, indistinctly exposed from below, fig. 6. One remained 

 stationary on a hair, where the moving cilia resembled the spokes of a re- 

 volving wheel ; others free, described an orbit of various extent while re- 

 volving on their own axis ; fig. 7. 



Such was the general result of observations on March 15 and 19 ; 

 I am induced to be so specific and minute in all concerning the propaga- 

 tion of zoophytes, from having found certain learned naturalists disposed, 

 in conversation at least, to deny the animation both of similar corpuscula, 

 and of the planulte before described. 



On the 20th of the same month seven or eight of these beings, so re- 

 cently in activity, lay motionless at the bottom of the vessel ; fig. 8 ; like- 

 wise six or seven yellow spots, the highest about three inches above the 

 bottom, had formed on its transparent sides. From an enlarged view, the 

 latter proved a bright yellow spherical segment as a nucleus, environed 

 by a paler margin, irregular and broader at one end, approximating a 

 slipper shape, or the form of a shuttle ; fig. 9. 



Further diffusion of the margin advances as the nucleus undergoes 

 proportional diminution, and it becomes of a dark orange colour. At 

 length an embryo hydra is obscurely visible below, with the originating 



