SINGULAR POLYPE. 
'U'HE Zoophyta are in general diftinguillied by fuch difplays of intelligence, 
and wife defign in the formation of them, as fills our minds with admi- 
ration. 1 he detail of particular fadts relating to their ftrudture and ceconomy, 
become hence more exceedingly interefting, as it leads to new difcoveries of the 
univerfal care of the great Author of Nature. This is the primary objedt of 
Natural Hiftory, and enhances the delight and entertainment of it. 
This very beautiful Polype, at A and C, we {hall call. The Sea Marigold, 
until abler hands {hall appoint it a more charadteriftical place in the fyftem of 
marine animals. 
It is remarkable, that the cafe B, in which it lodges, is not a fhell, nor of a 
melly fubftance ; but is of a Ikinny nature, foft, comprefiible, elaftic : by this 
peculiarity it is eflentially diftinguifhed from all thofe animals that are the in- 
habitants of tubular Ihells. Its rays, or tentacula, are admirably contrived for 
catching and inclofing minute animals ; and it is often employed in playing them 
found in the water, feemingly in fearch of food and nourilhment ; and is feen 
evidently catching at fomething, at atoms which elude human obfervation. 
The ftrudture of the tentacula is very remarkable ; the extremity of each, 
appears like a miniature of the whole ; and each individual ray, viz. i, 2, 3, 
is an adtive trap: they feverally bend and wave in oppofite directions, and 
in thefe exertions vary their form, as at E.— D is one of the tentacula on a 
ftih larger fcale, by which the exquifitely fine formation of the whole is the more 
clearly difplayed. 
It is altogether molt delicately alive to any hoftile touch, and feems even to 
ha\e a prelentiment ct the approach of injury, probably from the movement of 
the water ; and then, with inftantaneous dexterity, retreats into the cafe B ; and 
is there fo completely {hut up, as not to be in-the leaft difcernible. 
When all has been quiet about it for fome time, it expands by flow degrees, 
as if fearful of the danger, or the enemy being not yet pad j but feeling no 
iflurbance, fpieads forth again in all its beauty. — A, is the natural fize, on the 
ibular coralline, to which it adhered. — C, the fame, magnified. — It was 
d to ed up from the bottom ef fifty fathom water, from hard ground, fome 
0 es from tire coaft at Banff ; where corals, and ftones covered with {hells, 
equent, and exhibit varieties of animals not found on the jhores. 
J 
