Zoophytes, 



was the covering, whether horny or calcareous, of the hydra, and was as 

 much an animal structure as the nails of a man, the horns of a bullock, 

 or the shell of a tortoise." 



This theory has since been so universally adopted that it is not neces- 

 sary we should trace the history of Zoophytology any further. Let it 

 suffice therefore, if I say that the works published by Allman, Johnston, 

 and Hincks, are the standard works of to-day. 



Now-a-days we divide zoophytes into two classes, hydrozoa and 

 polyzoa. Roughly we may distinguish them thus the hairy-like 

 formations on plants are hydrozoa, in deeper water they take the form 

 of dwarf trees ; and the limy incrusting cellular structures found both on 

 plants and stones are polyzoa. To-night we shall confine our attention 

 chiefly to hydrozoa, for I think it better to do one branch of it fairly 

 minutely and so. get a thorough grasp of the subject, and which with a 

 little application of general principles can be made to extend to polyzoa 

 also, than to tackle both branches and so, for want of time, be made to 

 skim the work and leave you only at the threshold of their beautiful 

 mansions. 



Now, how are we to obtain our hydrozoa or hydroids as they are 

 sometimes called ? In the first place they can be obtained from micro- 

 scopical dealers at two shillings per packet. These, to my idea, are 

 unsatisfactory, for they are dry, the polypes shrunk into their cells and so 

 unseen. There is nothing like the real live article for imparting a 

 thorough-going interest in this subject. And you have ample ground 

 for searching here on the rocks and in the pools. A stout pair of boots, 

 a glass jar, which must be thoroughly clean, and a walking stick pre- 

 ferab^y one with a crook cr handle rather than a knob are all the 

 requirements necessary for out-door work. Suppose we go down to the 

 shore just now in imagination at low tide, till we are close down at the 

 edge of the water. First we swill our bottles, and then three-parts fill 

 with water mind you don't do it from a pool, or you will get a disap- 

 pointment when you go home. I did so many times till I learned 

 wisdom. Now look at that tangle (laminaria digitatd) pull it over 

 towards you. Ah ! I thought so, it has hairs on its tip or broad end. 

 Share it out amongst the others it is the commonest of all obelia 

 geniculata. Cut the frond, do not tear off the hydroids. Now look at 

 the root end. Some times we get little white hairs y of an inch long 

 sertularia ruosa. Now, try that other weed with all the bulbs on it 

 strung like a line of buoys on a fishermen's net I mean the olive- 



