FLUSTRA. 357 
cylinder protrudes, and then the mtegument of the body, 
unfolding like the inverted finger of a glove, displays the 
exterior of the animal, crowned by about thirty-five tenta- 
cula in campanulate arrangement. The form of the polype 
is elegant, light, and beautiful. It rises very leisurely from 
the cell; but its retreat is most precipitate, vanishing in a 
moment; and thus is the cloud composed of multitudes 
dissipated from before the observer.” All this we have 
lately contemplated with great delight. 
Not less interesting are the observations of the Rev. T. 
Hincks, recorded in the ‘ Annals of Natural History,’ re- 
specting the gemmules excluded from the fleshy moss, 
destined to form new polypidoms; but I must limit myself 
to very short extracts. The gemmule is described as very 
beautiful, thickly frmged with cilia round the border. “ Its 
movements are irregular. Sometimes it creeps along, using 
its cilia as feet; at other times it swims pretty rapidly 
through the water; at others it tumbles over and over. 
Occasionally it floats on its back with its cilia upward, and 
in this state resembles a miniature boat. After a short 
time the cilia suddenly cease to play, the creature becomes 
attached, and is gradually developed into the cell and 
polype which are to be the nucleus of an extensive colony.” 
