400 RADIATA. 



by violence, every single piece into which a Polype 

 may be divided producing the parts which are de- 

 ficient, and thus becoming a complete animal. In 

 both these modes of propagation, we see their close 

 affinity with vegetables. But a few possess a third 

 mode of propagation by a kind of eggs, called gem- 

 mules. 



The whole Class consists of aquatic animals; a 

 few inhabit fresh waters, but the greater number 

 are marine, being found in all seas from the Equator 

 to the Poles. It is in the tropical seas, however, 

 that we meet with these singular forms in their 

 greatest variety, magnitude, and beauty; particularly 

 those genera which deposit a stony skeleton, and 

 which live in aggregated numbers : by far the most 

 interesting of the Class. 



