ZOOPHYTES 



ject horizontally as the knobbed ones, but their origin, 

 and the respective lines of their radiation, are intermedi- 

 ate or alternate; in other words, if we consider the globe- 

 heads as pointing N. E. S. and W., the simple ones point 

 N.E., S.E., S.W., and KW. 



From the carefully made observations of several excel- 

 lent naturalists as Dujardin, Steenstrup, Dalyell, Loven, 

 and others it appears that 

 this beautiful and elegant little 

 Polype gives birth to medusa- 

 shaped young. Contrary, how- 

 ever, to the rule in Laomedea, 

 the Medusa is in this case pushed 

 forth as a bud from the side of 

 the club, without any protect- 

 ing capsule. The process is ex- 

 ceedingly like a plant develop- 

 ing a flower; for the bud grows 

 until it at length expands blos- 

 som-like, and a beautiful little 

 umbrella-form Medusa is seen 

 adhering to the Polype. At 

 length the brilliant little living flower becomes detached; 

 and, after swimming freely for a time, discharges ova or 

 gemmules from its ovaries, which develop into a creeping- 

 root thread, and finally into the club- headed threads of 

 the Stauridia. 



Some objects which I have to exhibit to you are alto- 

 gether unique as to their appearance: and, if you are not 

 as imperturbable as a philosopher of the 2Voa, or a Mo- 

 hawk Indian, will certainly excite both your risibility 

 and your wonder. For some little time I have been keep- 



