ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCHES. 



MEMOIR V. 



On Polyzoa, a neiv animal discovered as an inhabitant of 

 some Zoophites — ivith a descriptio7i of the neivly institu- 

 ted Genera of Pedicellaria and Vesicularia, and their 

 Species. 



Xjinn.eus whose vast and transcendant genius shed an 

 equal lustre over the whole domain of Nature, would 

 appear to have been the first to collect into one great as- 

 semblage (as an Order of his Class of Vermes) the various 

 aquatic productions which under the disguise of Plant-like 

 forms, seemed more nearly allied to the animal kingdom, 

 and thence named Zoophites or animal-plants — these 

 productions although in no way remarkable for their 

 colouring, and many of them insignificant in point of size, 

 are nevertheless amongst the most curious and interesting 

 of Nature's works, embracing the principal part of the com- 

 pound animals, ov ?>wq\\ as appear to be composed of a number 

 of individuals united together and enjoying a life common to 

 the whole ; this interest is farther enhanced by their 

 appearing to have contributed no small share towards the 

 changes which have taken place, and still continue to ope- 

 rate in modifying the crust of the Globe : the prodigious 

 quantities of them which people the bottom of the Ocean 



