60 



THE BIOLOGY OF HYDRA : 1981 



gests a supporting function such as might be required in areas where 

 there is increased mechanical stress. 



The final example of a possible attachment mechanism in 

 hydra which I will present is another arrangement of epithelial 

 cell surfaces at the level of the mesoglea. In my preparations, both 



Fig. 6. High magnification of muscle attachment to mesoglea at a ten- 

 tacle base in Pelmatobydra. The mesoglea is to the right. The cytoplasmic 

 finger of the muscle fiber extends vertically through the center of the pic- 

 ture. Note the transversely oriented tubular structures (arrow) and the pat- 

 terns of increased density. See text. ME, mesoglea. 120,000X. 



