Marvels of Pond-Life. 



35 



members of the Vorticella family, called Cothurnia, and 

 will be hereafter described. 



Watching the hydra it was curious to note the 

 changes of form which these creatures are able to 

 assume. Now the tentacles were short and thick, and 

 the body squat • now the body was elongated, like the 



Hydra viridis, in various shapes. 



stem of a palm tree, and the tentacles hung gracefully 

 from the top. From some of the polyps little round 

 buds were growing, while other buds were already 

 developed into miniature copies of the parent, and only 

 attached by a slender stalk. In a few days many of 

 these left the maternal side, fixed their own little tails 

 to the glass, and commenced housekeeping on their 

 own account. 



Polyps may be obtained at all times of the year by 

 bringing home duckweed, conferva, and other water- 

 plants from the ponds. Some hauls may be unsuc- 

 cessful, but if one pond is not propitious others should 

 be tried. The plants should be put in a capacious 



