POLYZOA. 



443 



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 designa- 

 tion 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 observed who ventured to express his opinion that they partially, at 

 least, partook of the nature of animals, was persecuted by "the professors of the day 



POLYZOA I. 



A. Catenlcella lorlca. B. Catenicella hast&ta. X c - Catenicella cornuta. X D. Calpidium ornfitum. 

 E. Calpidium ornatum. X F. Salicorndria farcimlnoides. Q. Salicornaria farciminoides. X 



H. Celluldria Peachii. X * Menipea Fuguensis. X (Mouth of a cell.) K. Scrupocella'ria ferox. X 

 L. Canda reptans. X (Mouth of cell.) 



The sign X signifies that the object is magnified. 



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 honor 

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



