Zoophytes* 



The polyzoa we have has polypes of the same nature, but the 

 habitation is different very. Here each cell is laid side by side with its 

 neighbour to which it is attached, and numerous pores like those on a 

 thimble, permit of the entrance of water to keep the animal alive when 

 the storm forbids it to thrust forth its tender head. 



But now we have got home, the microscope is out and a watch 

 glass is clean. Snip off with a scissors a small piece of the weed, place 

 it in a watch glass with some water. Under an inch power in a minute 

 or so you will observe the polypes come forth. If you look closely you 

 will find that the polypes are busily engaged catching animalcules, and 

 withdrawing into the cups or calycles as they are called, in the same 

 manner as a hydra viridis shuts up when it has made a capture. You 

 will note also that down the centre of the stalk is a darker portion. 

 Put on a higher power and you will find it moving as the polyps extend 

 or contract. This is commonly called the body mass. 



I know of no means whereby these can be kept alive for any 

 considerable length of time. I have, by carefully changing the water 

 twice a day from the sea, kept obelia geniculata alive for 3 or 4 months, but 

 in the end they died. If they die you must remove them at once from 

 the water and change it, as, like sheep, they have a strong propensity in 

 this dying business to follow their leader. 



Many beautiful specimens are not to be had on shore and must be 

 dredged from the sea bottom. If you are acquainted with a trawl 

 skipper, ask him to bring you some of the small trees he gets, or some of 

 the long clear tubes with the red knobs at the end. Or if you know a 

 fisherman ask him to give you all the spider crabs he gets one spider 

 crab I examined in August, 1902, had 14 different specimens on his 

 back, some zoophytes, some weeds, some sponges, some worms, etc. It 

 would be also advisable to give him a large sweetie bottle (you can get 

 one for 6d). and ask him to put all the rubbish he gets into it, *>., all the 

 " bonnie sea flo'ers " as he chooses to call them, and you will get some 

 lovely specimens. You must visit him daily, as the specimens he gets 

 to-day will be dead to-morrow. You should give your trawl skipper a 

 couple of bottles. 



Now how are we to deal with them for future use? It is no use 

 mounting the specimens with the polypes inside. To make the slide 

 complete the polypes must be fully extended. The method I adopt and 

 have suggested to others is to take a pipette full of spirit of wine and 

 when the polypes are fully extended, which I see through the microscope, 



