POLYZOA. 



THE very remarkable beings which now come before our notice are appropriately 

 termed POLYZOA, from two Greek words, signifying "many animals," because a large 

 number of individuals are massed together in groups of various forms and textures. 

 The continental naturalists mostly designate them by the term of Bryozoa, or " moss 

 animals," on account of their frequent resemblance to the various mosses; but as this 

 term has been employed in far too wide a sense, grouping under one common designation 

 a number of beings belonging to different classes, the more recent observers have decided 

 on the more appropriate title of Polyzoa. 



For very many years indeed, from the earliest days of natural history until com- 

 paratively modern times the Polyzoa were ranked among the vegetables ; and a learned 

 Italian observer who ventured to express his opinion that they partially, at least, partook 



POLYZOA, I. 



B. Catenicelld hastdta. x C. Catenicella cornuta. x D. Calpldium, ornatum, 



F. Salicorndria farciminoides. G. Salicornaria farciminoides. x H Celluldria Pcachii. x 



I. Menipea Fuguensis. x (Mouth of a cell.) K. Scrupocelldria ferox. x L. Canda reptans. X (Mouth of cell.) 



The sign x signifies that the object is magnified. 



A. Catenicella lorica. 

 E. Calpldium ornatum. x 



of the nature of animals, was persecuted by the professors of the day with the usual 

 acrimony excited by a discoverer who is in advance of his time. Even the acute and 

 experienced Linnaeus could not receive the new doctrine, which was for a while "exploded" 

 by the researches of another naturalist, who announced that he had seen corals in flower, 

 thus setting the question at rest in the minds of those who desired to be so convinced. 



Truth, however, stood its ground, and though for a time suppressed by those who had 

 a personal interest in maintaining the theories which they had so long promulgated, in the 

 due course of events became triumphant. 



The true animal nature of these and many other beings, which had been formerly 

 classed among the vegetables, was at length fairly proved by the researches of two 

 eminent men, Trembley and Ellis, the latter of whom may lay claim to the honour 

 of having produced the best and most comprehensive work of his time ; a work, indeed, 



