THE CA MPA N TJLA RITE, OR BELL-ZOOPHYTES. 
577 
or young, are naked. The animals are sometimes naked, but are often inclosed in a horny, 
tubular covering, which we will term the polypidon. The first family is represented by its 
typical genus. The polypidon of this genus does not throw out branches, and the tentacles 
are delicate, thread-like, and arranged in two circles. The germs, or buds, are set on very 
short footstalks, and are gathered upon the bases of the lower tentacles. 
Before leaving this interesting family of zoophytes, we must pause awhile, to cast a 
cursory glance at one or two of the more prominent examples. 
The Club-zoophyte ( Clava multicornis) has a large and rounded extremity, something like 
the head of a bludgeon, upon which are placed irregularly a number of thread-like tentacles. 
The various species belonging to the genus Coryne are also worthy of notice. These 
conspicuous, though minute, zoophytes may be recognized by the globular tips of the 
tentacles. Sometimes the creatures are naked, and sometimes they are inclosed in a rude sort 
of tube. The word “Coryne” is Greek, and signifies a club. The head of each tentacle is 
most elaborately constructed, and adorned with very minute tentacles, each being furnished 
with a small bristle at its tip. These tentacles can be moved with tolerable rapidity, and are 
held in various attitudes, sometimes stretching out at right angles from the stem, but often 
bending upwards, with their heads directed towards a common centre, and have been happily 
compared to the bars of a turnstile or the weighted arms of a screw press. 
Another genus is that which is appropriately named Eudendrium, from two Greek words, 
signifying a beautiful tree. As may be presumed from its name, it has a decidedly tree-like 
form, each twig terminating in a polype whose flower-like tentacles add in no slight degree to 
its beauty. It is found that, when in captivity, the Eudendrium is sadly apt to throw off all 
the lovely diadems with which it is crowned, but that it will in process of time supply the 
deficiency by new heads. Its reproduction is quite as remarkable as that of any creature 
which has hitherto been mentioned, but our failing space will not permit a detailed account. 
In the Sertulariadm, the buds are inclosed in vesicles, and do not break away when adult. 
They are placed in cup-like cells, which have no footstalks. 
Any of the common Sertularise affords a good example of this family ; and as they are 
easily procured, they are very valuable aids to those who wish to study the structure of these 
beautiful beings. Even the empty polypidon is not without its elegance, and is often made up 
into those flattened bouquets of so-called sea-weeds, which are sold in such quantities at sea- 
side bathing towns. But when the whole being is full of life and health, its multitudinous 
cells filled with the delicate polypes, each furnished with more than twenty tentacles all 
moving in the water, its beauty defies description. These little polypes are wonderfully 
active and suspicious. At the least alarm, they retreat into their cells as if withdrawn by 
springs, and when they again push out their tentacles, it is in a very wary and careful manner. 
The reproduction of these beings is very curious, for it is known that they can be propa- 
gated by cuttings just like plants, as well as by cell vesicles, and that in the latter case the 
first stage of the young closely resembles that of the young medusae already mentioned. They 
also reproduce by offshoots ; and it is very likely that their capabilities in this respect are not 
limited even to these three methods. 
The Campanularise, or Bell-zoophytes, may be distinguished from the last family by 
having the cells placed on footstalks. 
The whole history of this creature is very interesting, but on account of failing space we 
must restrict ourselves to its chief peculiarities. Placed among the ordinary polype-cells may 
be seen, at certain times of the year, a few scattered egg-shape objects, some eight or ten 
usually being found on a branch. Within these cells are seen a small number of very minute 
living beings, which gradually develop themselves. A restless movement prevails towards the 
upper part, some slender tentacles make their appearance at the end, and at last the whole of 
the tip breaks loose, displaying itself as a tiny medusa. 
This change is indeed a wonderful one, perhaps even more marvellous than the mutual 
transformations of hydra tuba and medusae, inasmuch as the Campanularia and the medusa 
Vol. III. —78. 
