HYDKAHLE. 169 



height, irregularly branched, and formed of parallel tubes. 

 The other variety makes little show as it creeps along the 

 stem of other corallines, giving off on all sides its trumpet- 

 shaped, nearly sessile cells, forming a kind of brown beard 

 on the object to which it clings. Dr. Johnston remarks 

 that the little polype is shy, and will remain for days in a 

 contracted state at the bottom of its cell. Professor Reid 

 says it is sluggish; and Professor E. Porbes describes it as 

 the most active polype of its tribe he ever saw, starting up 

 and down its cell like one of the Ascidoids. 



" "Whom Nature's works can charm, with God himself 

 Hold converse ; grow familiar day by day 

 With His conceptions, act upon His plan, 

 And form to His, the relish of their souls." Akenside. 



Tribe 3. HYDR1NA. 

 FAMILY HYDRAEm 



" It is difficult for a thoughtful mind to decide whether 

 admiration is more deservedly challenged by the vast or the 

 minute forms of living existence around us ; but the adap- 

 tation of both to fulfil the purposes of their being, and the 

 varieties which intervene between the two extremes, cannot 



