PLANT-ANIMALS, OR ZOOPHYTES. 155 



same time keeping them immersed, placing them in 

 the light, and maintaining the saucer perfectly still, 

 till the expansion takes place, then instantaneously 

 ejecting fresh water from a syringe upon them. An- 

 other mode has been suggested of putting the 

 zoophytes in a small saucer of sea-water, and floating 

 this on the surface of a large bowl of fresh water. 

 As soon as a state of expansion which seems satis- 

 factory is obtained, to swamp the saucer suddenly in 

 the bowl of fresh water, by thrusting it down in an 

 instant ; but all these experiments require a quick 

 and dexterous hand, so that failure is far more 

 common than success. On the other side it may be 

 urged that it has been accomplished, and may be 

 accomplished again. 



The method more usually adopted, and more 

 strongly recommended by practical men, 1 is the sub- 

 stitution of spirits for water, say, gin or whisky, or 

 spirits of wine. When the tentacles are fully 

 expanded, the spirit is dropped upon the exposed 

 animals, by means of a pipette. We are assured 

 that this method can scarcely fail, with ordinary care, 

 being far more certain than when fresh water alone 

 is used. 



To return from this digression to the animals in 



1 It is the method in ordinary use amongst the members of 

 the Quekett Microscopical Club, and has their commendation. 



