ORGANIC DEVELOPEMENT. 95 
It is a just conclusion, therefore, that while the polyp, by its form, 
and its mode and direction of growth, and mode of budding, determines 
the general form of the zoophyte ; or, the bud, that of the plant,—the 
cellule, by its form, mode, and direction of growth and mode of repro- 
duction, determines the general form of both flower-bud and polyp, 
plant and zoophyte. 
93. The analogy between plants and zoophytes is, therefore, not 
one calculated to embarass us by suggesting false affinities. On the 
contrary, the two orders afford interesting and important illustrations 
of the organic processes in each. We may say farther, that the 
modes of developement throughout the animal kingdom are here 
elucidated, and, also, with no less truth, that the principles which 
flow from these facts, bear upon all the elaborations in organic beings. 
The tentacles of an Actinia, as also the lamelle, which correspond, 
are often but eight or ten in number in the young when first deve- 
loped; but afterwards, as the Actinia grows, and the interval between 
two lamelle increases beyond the normal breadth (for the species), a 
new lamella begins to form; and so other lamelle, in succession, 
appear. Here the same law depending on breadth of interval holds, 
as in the developement of branches on a tree or a zoophyte. As these 
intervals widen by growth, there is unappropriated nutriment and 
vital force, and these acting upon the cellules intermediate commence 
the formation of a lamella. So, also, this principle, which deter- 
mines the scattered character of the leaves on a tree, or of processes 
or branchlets over a coral branch, determines the closer or more 
scattered distribution of the hairs on a leaf or an animal. A cer- 
tain space around the reproductive point, is tributary to each hair, 
and the size of this space is determined by the distance to which 
the reproductive centre can exert an influence. ‘This space is 
measured by the intervals between adjacent hairs. But let this 
interval enlarge, by the growth of the part, beyond this amount, and 
immediately there is an excess of force and nutriment, which com- 
mences the formation of a new hair. We might add illustrations, 
but this will suffice. Reproduction proceeds on the same principles, 
whether a hair or an animal is the result. The same is admitted 
with respect to the developement of germinating functions in ani- 
mals ; for it is a recognised fact, that while the growth of the body is 
in progress, the vital forces and nutrition are dispersed in every 
direction; but, on reaching the limits of growth,—that is, the limit 
in radiate extent, to which the peculiar structure of the animal is 
