200 Professor Link's Observations on Zoophytes, 



ellipses are in direct radial lines from the centre of the 

 mercury, they together produce a star-like effect, which is 

 by no means devoid of beauty. A figure may serve to assist 

 the reader. 



Tis- 6. 



Here the revolving star is omitted for the sake of per- 

 spicuity. 



94. When a needle is placed on the surface of the mer- 

 cury (39), or a piece of iron wire (41), or any other sub- 

 stance (43), the motion of these substances is in a contrary 

 direction to the finger, and contrary to the apparent motion 

 of the star (39). This part of the inquiry will form the 

 subject of a separate paper; but it may now be stated, that 

 when a needle or wire is employed, a series of concentric 

 ellipses is formed, of which, the needle or wire is the pro- 

 late axis, and other substances, depending upon their nature, 

 form either foci or axes of ellipses. 



A further inquiry into the nodal divisions of a glass 

 goblet will also form the subject of a future paper. 



Salisbury, January, 1836. 



Article IV. 



Observations on Zoophytes and Plants confounded with them. 

 By H. F. Link, Professor of Botany, at Berlin.* 



Much difference of opinion has existed with regard to the 

 animal nature of Polypi. Some have regarded the common 



* Ann. des Sciences Naturelles, ii. 321, 2d Ser. 



