372 



EVENINGS AT THE MICEOSCOPE. 



eight ; these in like manner increase progressively to 

 sixteen, thirty-two, and sixty-fonr. It now possesses a 

 close resemblance to the Hydra of onr ditches, only 

 having more tentacles ; and, like it, the Mednsa-larva 

 buds forth from its sides young Hydra-like polypes, 

 which take the form of their immediate parent, fall 

 off, attach themselves, hud forth more, and so on. All 

 these catch living prey with their tentacles, swallow 

 them with their mouths, and digest them Avith theii' 

 stomachs, exactly like real polypes, and thus produce 

 generation after generation of similar beings. 



Years may pass in this stage, during which num- 

 berless polypes are formed. At length the original 

 stock, or any one of its descendants, takes on an im- 

 portant change. Its body lengthens, and becomes cut 

 as it were into a number of rings, as if tied tightly 

 round with thread, or like the body of an Annelid. 



TURKIS AND ITS YOUXG. 



These segments become increasingly distinct, nntil at 

 length each is seen to be a shallow cup, notched at its 

 margin, and sitting in the concavity of the one next 



