106 THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE CHAP, 
We cannot wonder that such organisms were 
long regarded as belonging to the vegetable 
kingdom. The cups which terminate the 
branches contain, however, an animal struct- 
ure, resembling a small Sea Anemone, and 
possessing arms which capture the food by 
which the whole colony is nourished. Some 
of these cups, moreover, differ from the rest, 
and produce eggs. These then we might 
be disposed to term ovaries. But in many 
species they detach themselves from the group 
and lead an independent existence. Thus we 
find a complete gradation from structures 
which, regarded by themselves, we should un- 
questionably regard as mere organs, to others 
which are certainly separate and independent 
beings. 
Fig. 2 represents, after Allman, a colony of 
Bougainvillea fruticosa of the natural size. 
It is a British species, which is found growing 
on buoys, floating timber, etc., and, says 
Allman, “ When in health and vigour, offers 
a spectacle unsurpassed in interest by any 
other species — every branchlet crowned by 
its graceful hydranth, and budding with Me- 
a a 
ee ~ 
