4 BRITISH IIYDROID ZOOPHYTES. 



opaque white, or occasionally coloured pink, 

 red, or orange. In the free phase (Medusa) 

 the colouring is more vivid. In form the 

 polypites are particularly elegant, and have 

 only to be seen in their native element under 

 the microscope, when their graceful movements 

 will elicit the utmost admiration. Sometimes 

 they are suggestive of palm trees with the 

 crown of leaves fully expanded and gently 

 swaying in the air ; but the illusion is often 

 quickly dispelled by the sudden closing of 

 the fancied leaves, and the animal nature is 

 revealed in the efforts of the polypite to 

 secure some minute prey. When the food has 

 passed into the stomach, the polypite expands 

 again to its original beauty. 



Leaving the tiesthetic side of the subject 

 for a moment (in which there is ample scope 

 for gratification), we will turn to the scientific 

 and get some idea of the grade of organization 

 wliich the Hydroids hold, more especially 

 with reference to their near neighbours in 

 the animal kingdom. 



Structure of Polypite. The Polypites, 

 in the typical and fixed phase of their 

 existence, an' of very simple structure, and 



