68 HISTORY OF BRITISH ZOOPHYTES. 
were effected by a beautiful peculiarity of organization,— 
that the stem and the branches, finer than the thread of a 
spider’s web, were not straight, but spiral, like the springs 
formed of spiral wires; that it could coil and uncoil these 
elastic springs at pleasure; that it rose to its full dimen- 
sions when seeking its food; and that when the rough wave 
conveying some rougher substance was passing over it, I 
conjectured that it might be consulting its safety by shrink- 
ing almost into nothing, as brave soldiers show their wis- 
dom by falling flat on the battle-field when cannon-balls 
and grape-shot are passing over them, that when the enemy 
have wasted their strength, they may rise and rush upon 
them. 
We have already mentioned that the lips of the little 
cups which adorn the Vorticel/a are furmshed with cilia, 
which by a rapid rotatory motion cause currents full of ani- 
malcules to enter the cup, which proves to them the cup of 
death. Alas! for these little entities! but their day is 
over; they enjoyed life while it lasted; they have answered 
the ends of their being; their sufferings are momentary. 
Alas! there is a more dreadful gulf which rational crea- 
tures are commanded to shun. ‘The currents around it 
have a most absorbing influence, and it never returns what 
