ZOOPHYTES. 



410 



Animalcules. 



tion of eflFects, which, in all other instances, are the result of a 

 perfect and wonderful adaptation of organs to the end in view. 



The Sea-Nettles, or Sea-Anemones, are still less per- 

 fect. Their bodies are circular, and in their centre is the mouth, 

 which leads to several rude and imperfect cavities in the substance 

 of the animal, answering the purposes of stomach and intestines. 

 They are generally found attached by their base to some rook or 

 marine substance ; but this attachment is voluntary, for they can 

 at will disengage themselves. Generally, however, they perform 

 no other motion than that of opening and closing their mouths, 

 and extending the tentacula with which they are surrounded. 

 With these they grasp animals coming within their reach, such as 

 small fish, mollnsca, worms, etc. These they swallow, and after 

 having digested their flesh, throw out their bones, shells, and other 

 refuse matter by tiae same opening, which is their only one. 



The MeduSjE do not difier much from these, except that 

 they are merely of a gelatinous, slimy consistence, and are never 



