PRESERVATION OF THE POLYPIDOMS OF ZOOPHYTES. 243 



of the Polyzoa, and of these the Flustra truncata, when viewed on 

 the selenite stage. The Cellularia avicularia is very brilliant when 

 viewed in the same way ; its cells being covered with plates of carbo- 

 nate of lime, it presents a fine display of beautiful tints, especially its 

 bird's-head appendages." 



The wonders we have brought to view in our glance at the families 

 constituting the zoophytic kingdom, must be regarded with wonder and 

 astonishment by every reflective being. We have seen how wonder- 

 fully and fearfully they are made ; we have seen the surprising facul- 

 ties with which they are endowed ; we have seen the perfection and 

 order bestowed upon them ; we have seen the singular 'faculties they 

 possess to perform the allotted duties of their destiny ; and seeing all 

 these things, we read in plain intelligible language the wisdom, power, 

 and goodness, of an almighty and beneficent Being. We may here 

 state, that we have taken a somewhat more extended view of this de- 

 partment of animated nature, from the very circumstance of its pre- 

 senting a wider field of deeply interesting and curious subjects for 

 inquiry to the microscopist ; and the more especially have these sub- 

 jects attracted great public attention, from the spirited attempt on the 

 part of the Zoological Society of London to afford us the opportunity 

 of more closely and frequently observing their remarkable habits, en- 

 closed in glass tanks, forming what we now recognise as marine vivaria. 

 In our frontispiece, and elsewhere, we have attempted to represent one 

 of these glass cases, merely adding a few magnified figures of the 

 Bowerbankii, &c. There the visitor may see the Sabellce, the Ac- 

 tiniae, of brilliant hues, and many kinds; Mollusca, both shelled and 

 naked ; Crustacea, Annelida, &c. ; all pursuing their various avoca- 

 tions, enjoying themselves without restraint, under circumstances 

 scarcely distinguishable from those of nature. Mr. Warington and 

 Mr. Gosse made the experiment about the same time ; and from Mr. 

 Gosse's delightful book, entitled A Naturalist's Rambles on the Devon- 

 shire Coast, we extract the plan he adopted to preserve his marine ani- 

 mals alive for many months in London. He says : " The following facts 

 may be considered as established : marine animals and plants may be 

 kept in health in glass vases of sea- water for a period of greater or less 

 length, provided they be exposed to the influence of light. The oxygen 

 given off by healthy vegetation under this stimulus, is sufficient for the 

 support of a moderate amount of animal life ; and this amount can be 

 ascertained by experiment. 



But another element in the question soon obtrudes itself. The 

 Actiniee and other animals habitually throw off a mucous epidermis, and 



