Zoophytes. 



channel, through the rings, and into the general body cavity. The un- 

 desirable parts are cast forth by the animal turning itself inside out. 



About this passing of the digested food into the general body cavity, 

 which runs right from end to end, have we not here a true system of 

 socialism ? Each hydranth works for the whole, and the whole for it. 

 How very different such a system is from that practised by man ! 



Between the hydranth and the main stalk arises in the month of 

 November or so a little bud, which develops into a most elegant form 

 resembling a Greek vase or urn. It is elongate, and tapers off 

 gradually from the flattened top to the base where it becomes very 

 slender. It usually lies at right angles to the hydranth. This beauti- 

 ful urn is called a gonotheca. This gonotheca contains nothing more or 

 less than a degenerate hydriform person without mouth or tentacles. 

 Last winter I kept some obelia and strange to say, as I kept them well 

 supplied with water containing animalculae, several of the calycles 

 degenerated into gonothecae, so that there was the uncommon sight of 

 two gonothecae close together at the same projection. I kept them till 

 the month of June, and then as I went on holidays I was unable to look 

 after them. When I returned I found that they had been considered 

 dead and had been cast away. I would have liked to have known what 

 effect the two gonothecae would have, and if any of you come across such 

 a specimen, I trust you will not forget me, but give me a share. Inside 

 the gonothecae are large members of gonophores which develop and 

 escape through an opening at the top of the gonothecae as medusoids. 

 These medusoids are miniature jelly fish. But though I say jelly fish, 

 pray do not mistake me, for they are not the jelly fish you are accustomed 

 to see in the water. These you can take and handle easily if you have 

 gloves on, or are careless whether they sting you or not, but the jelly fish 

 that comes from hydroids can easily, when full grown, pass through the 

 eye of a needle. But though so small they are complete. Each one has 

 its complement of tentacles, its water vascular system, its mouth or 

 manubrium, its reproductive organs. Some biologists even go the length 

 of saying they have equivalents to our eyes and ears. 



On the four radial canals of our medusoid are the reproductive 

 organs called gonads. Here comes a break in the life history. How 

 can this jelly fish turn back into a hydroid ? No one, so far as I know, 

 has observed such a stage. I have a theory of my own that since they 

 resemble jelly fish so very much in some stages, why not in all ? I have 

 not observed this stage, and my theories do not always prove correct, so 



