THE HYDRA. 55 



vibrating hairs act as oars to the little germ, to row 

 it away, as soon as it falls on the surface of the 

 water, from its parent, to some other spot to which 

 it may attach itself ; and then, having answered the 

 purpose for which they were expressly developed, 

 the cilia fall off, leaving the germ gradually to 

 develop the peculiar form and qualities of the 

 parent sponge. 



We may now glance at the natural history of 

 another very remarkable creature, not only for the 

 marvels connected with it, but also as it will serve 

 to introduce a great diversity of animals to which it 

 is allied in structure. We owe our knowledge of 

 it to M. Trembley. In 1741, he observed certain 

 fibrous bodies adhering to the leaves of some aquatic 

 plants. His first thought was that they were para- 

 sites,* but on a closer inspection, he discovered that 

 they were endowed with animal life ; and continuing 

 his observations, he wrote and published an octavo 

 volume on their structure and habits. Most inter- 

 esting and amazing are the details of this work, 

 while they suggest to us the important lesson, that a 

 diligent and persevering study of the smallest result 

 of Divine operation will furnish an ample reward, 

 manifesting as it does, equally with the greatest, the 

 power, wisdom, and goodness of the Infinite. 



* Such is the raisseltoe, which issues from seeds deposited by birds 

 on the exterior of the stems and branches of trees, and so insinuate 

 their root fibres into the wood as to imbibe the ascending sap, and 

 thus to obtain support. 



