THE CAMPANULARI^!, OR BELL-ZOOPHYTES. 577 



or young, are naked. The animals are sometimes naked, but are often inclosed in a horny, 

 tubular covering, which we will term the polypidon. The first family is represented by its 

 typical genus. The polypidon of this genus does not throw out branches, and the tentacles 

 are delicate, thread-like, and arranged in two circles. The germs, or buds, are set on very 

 short footstalks, and are gathered upon the bases of the lower tentacles. 



Before leaving this interesting family of zoophytes, we must pause awhile, to cast a 

 cursory glance at one or two of the more prominent examples. 



The CLUB-ZOOPHYTE (Glava multicornis) has a large and rounded extremity, something like 

 the head of a bludgeon, upon which are placed irregularly a number of thread-like tentacles. 



The various species belonging to the genus Coryne are also worthy of notice. These 

 conspicuous, though minute, zoophytes may be recognized by the globular tips of the 

 tentacles. Sometimes the creatures are naked, and sometimes they are inclosed in a rude sort 

 of tube. The word "Coryne" is Greek, and signifies a club. The head of each tentacle is 

 most elaborately constructed, and adorned with very minute tentacles, each being furnished 

 with a small bristle at its tip. These tentacles can be moved with tolerable rapidity, and are 

 held in various attitudes, sometimes stretching out at right angles from the stem, but often 

 bending upwards, with their heads directed towards a common centre, and have been happily 

 compared to the bars of a turnstile or the weighted arms of a screw press. 



Another genus is that which is appropriately named Eudendrium, from two Greek words, 

 signifying a beautiful tree. As may be presumed from its name, it has a decidedly tree-like 

 form, each twig terminating in a polype whose flower-like tentacles add in no slight degree to 

 its beauty. It is found that, when in captivity, the Eudendrium is sadly apt to throw off all 

 the lovely diadems with which it is crowned, but that it will in process of time supply the 

 deficiency by new heads. Its reproduction is quite as remarkable as that of any creature 

 which has hitherto been mentioned, but our failing space will not permit a detailed account. 



IN the SertulariadaB, the buds are inclosed in vesicles, and do not break away when adult. 

 They are placed in cup-like cells, which have no footstalks. 



Any of the common Sertulariae affords a good example of this family ; and as they are 

 easily procured, they are very valuable aids to those who wish to study the structure of these 

 beautiful beings. Even the empty polypidon is not without its elegance, and is often made up 

 into those flattened bouquets of so-called sea-weeds, which are sold in such quantities at sea- 

 side bathing towns. But when the whole being is full of life and health, its multitudinous 

 cells filled with the delicate polypes, each furnished with more than twenty tentacles all 

 moving in the water, its beauty defies description. These little polypes are wonderfully 

 active and suspicious. At the least alarm, they retreat into their cells as if withdrawn by 

 springs, and when they again push out their tentacles, it is in a very wary and careful manner. 



The reproduction of these beings is very curious, for it is known that they can be propa- 

 gated by cuttings just like plants, as well as by cell vesicles, and that in the latter case the 

 first stage of the young closely resembles that of the young medusae already mentioned. They 

 also reproduce by offshoots ; and it is very likely that their capabilities in this respect are not 

 limited even to these three methods. 



THE Campanulariae, or Bell-zoophytes, may be distinguished from the last family by 

 having the cells placed on footstalks. 



The whole history of this creature is very interesting, but on account of failing space we 

 must restrict ourselves to its chief peculiarities. Placed among the ordinary polype-cells may 

 be seen, at certain times of the year, a few scattered egg-shape objects, some eight or ten 

 usually being found on a branch. Within these cells are seen a small number of very minute 

 living beings, which gradually develop themselves. A restless movement prevails towards the 

 upper part, some slender tentacles make their appearance at the end, and at last the whole of 

 the tip breaks loose, displaying itself as a tiny medusa. 



This change is indeed a wonderful one, perhaps even more marvellous than the mutual 

 transformations of hydra tuba and medusae, inasmuch as the Campanularia and the medusa, 

 YOU m. 78. 



