CRYSTALLINE VASES AND THEIR INHABITANTS. 47 



its perfected form. When young and free there is 

 no sign of those five long and beautiful arms, or 

 lobes, which are the chief beauty and characteristic 

 feature of its mature condition. It has simply a 

 tuft of bristles on its head, two ruby eyes, and a 

 vermiform body ; and in this form it passes the 

 time of youth. Now it is weary ; life seems 

 ebbing away ; and so, resting on any support in its 

 way, it appears to fall into a state of coma, or death, 

 like repose, during which the wonders of its perfect 

 nature are being matured, afid from which this 

 minute organism emerges to vigorous life. 



