HISTORY OF BRITISH ZOOPHYTES. 



the softer extremities vegetating downwards, and remaining 

 susceptible of adhesion, it becomes invested by exposure with' 

 an imperceptible epidermis. All nascent Tubularia are of 

 the palest grey ; and for the first fortnight the length of the 

 tentacula, and general dimensions of the hydra, are propor- 

 tionally greater than in adults. But the stem is seldom 

 straight; sometimes also irregularities are seen near the 

 root, which has no radicles. The head of the nascent T/i- 

 bularia falls after an indefinite period, just as with the adult. 

 But life is so feeble here, that the first is rarely replaced by 

 a successor." After several other interesting observations, 

 which our limited space will not allow us to quote, he adds 

 " We collect from the preceding detail that an external 

 ovarium is situated among the other parts composing the 

 hydra or head of the Tubularia indivisa ; that the unusual 

 curvature of the tentacula, their irregularity, and symptoms 

 of approaching decay, augment in proportion to its advanc- 

 ing maturity, while the aspect of the stomach also indicates 

 that its functions are required no longer. It is impossible 

 to overlook the correspondence of these conspicuous facts 

 with that uniform principle of nature, obviously testifying a 

 warmer solicitude for perpetuation of the progeny than for 

 the permanence of the parent. How few are the effectual 



