POWER OF REPRODUCTION. 417 



and were therefore at once transferred to Goadby's 

 invaluable solution." 



Far be it from us to say anything in disparagement 

 of " Goadby's solution " as a means of preserving at 

 least the wrecks of defunct specimens ; but whoever 

 hopes to appreciate the beauties of a Polyzoon must 

 examine it alive and in its full vigour, 



" For alum styptics, with contracting power, 

 Shrink its thin essence like a rivell'd flower." 



No, no ! a pickled Sylph or a potted Beroe would form 

 objects for the microscope quite as instructive as a 

 Bowerbankia marines a la Fortnum and Mason. 



Notwithstanding the complexity of structure so 

 conspicuous in these highly organized zoophytes, it 

 lias been observed by Professor Reid, that in certain 

 pedunculated species (Pedicellina] the body of the 

 Polyzoon will fade and perish, and a new one will be 

 reproduced in its place. A few days before this 

 occurs, the tentacula remain permanently retracted 

 the body becomes opake, and at length falls off. 

 After the lapse of a few days, however, the top of the 

 stalk enlarges, and a minute bulb presents itself, in 

 which the different parts of the polyp are developed, 

 so that in time it assumes the proportions and duties 

 of its predecessor, a circumstance, which will enable 

 the reader to understand how voluntary decapitation, 

 as Mr. Hincks observes, in these creatures is not 

 necessarily liable to a verdict offelo de se. 



T o 



