INDIVIDUALITY. 



203 



(simple plants of the second order) derived from the form of 

 the normal connexion of the elementary individuals. But 

 we cannot stop here, since nature herself combines these in- 

 dividuals, under a definite form, into larger associations, 

 whence we draw the third conception of the plant, from a 

 connexion, as it were, of the second power (compound plants 

 — plants of the third order). The simple plant proceeding 

 from the combination of the elementary individuals is then 

 termed a bud (gemma), in the composition of plants of the 

 third order." 



The animal kingdom presents still greater difficulties. 

 When, from sundry points on the body of a common polype, 

 there bud-out young polypes, which, after acquiring mouths 

 and tentacles and closing up the communications between 

 their stomachs and the stomach of the parent, finally separate 

 from the parent ; we may with propriety regard them as dis- 

 tinct individuals. But when, in the allied compound Hydro- 

 zoa, we find that these young polypes continue permanently 

 connected with the parent ; and when, by this continuous 

 budding-out, there is presently produced a tree-like aggre- 

 gation, having a common alimentary canal into which the 

 digestive cavity of each polype opens; it is no longer so 

 clear that these little sacs furnished with mouths and tenta- 

 cles, are severally to be regarded as distinct individuals. We 

 cannot deny a certain individuality to the polypedom. And 

 on discovering that some of the buds, instead of unfolding in 

 the same manner as the rest, are transformed into capsules 

 in which eggs are developed — on discovering that certain of 

 the incipient polypes thus become wholly dependent on the 

 aggregate for their nutrition, and discharge functions which 

 have nothing to do with their own maintenance, we have 

 still clearer proof that the individualities of the members are 

 partially merged in the individuality of the group. Other 

 organisms belonging to the same order, display still more 

 decidedly this transition from simple individualities to a com- 

 plex individuality. In the Diphyes there is a special modifi- 



