moi ^ e of growth and the nature of the sheaths or horny 
to j| °P es > have been matters of curious speculation 
jnd 
a : 'e present time are bv no means settled points. When 
^ Se ed or gemmule has become fixed, in the manner described 
p^e, and the roots thrown out from the base; the central 
■j'gjP and its horny envelope become elongated superiorly. 
Pul IB o the Laomedea genicnlata, as an example, the central 
e | P of the gemmule becomes the pith; and after it. has been 
e] n gated for a short distance, a lateral enlargement or rather 
pupation, takes place in the central pith, with a corres- 
dent enlargement of the horny investment ; this increases 
the till it has become as long as the usual pedicle of 
h (1 || Ce H; at its termination it then becomes enlarged and 
H ; J ° Us ’ ar| d the pedicle acquires a shrivelled appearance, 
t(j e c *a Proves afterwards to mark the rudiments of the rings of 
a c . e U stalks. In a very short time the bulbous termination 
t^O-es a deeper tint towards its cenire, and becomes lighter 
8 li ? rt ^ s the circumference. At first the centra! shade is 
d e jj t and indistinct, but soon becomes darker and more 
pu] ne d. As this condensation or organization goes on the 
i| r .P Sets much more transparent towards its circumference, is 
towards the central condensation and leaves behind it 
c 0 atls Parent horny covering; and during this stage, it is very 
p^l ,l0 n to observe the semitransparent circumference of the 
h/^awn into transverse folds, as if they were produced 
of ii/ 0rce acting towards the centie. In this way the pulp 
hej [)r e future polype is separated from the sheath. This 
aoj effected, the pulp acquires a serrated edge superiorly, 
po| gets contracted inferiorly into the shape of the perfect 
'JDp rn v '"“““'•I''' r" ~~~ 
ati,j The serrations on the superior surface advance, 
le lentacula are elaborated from them and folded on 
Pol °ther. Up to this point the cell is closed, and the 
S| ipe 6 excluded from any contact with tue water. Tite 
fr 0Ql l0r portion of the horny sheath now gets thin, but not 
fio a || P res sure, as the polype is not in contact with it; and 
the p §' Ve s way about its centre and falls in, so as to give 
the ; a futtnel-sbaped opening. The polype now feels 
S P f in - ence °f the surrounding water, and immediately 
a s r e gj ! Dt0 active life, using its lentacula and capturing its prey 
Cel) s ' ^ as the older ones. The funnel-shaped opening to the 
s Pe c ig° n '^appears and the differences which constitute the 
c characters are formed. The stem is elongated in a 
It, i , . .L. I .1. _<• 
Jhe .^auuer ; the pulp advances at one t i in 
^ds ^ u i al ions and stops for a short time, .. 
‘a the / * l ^ e cells and polypes arc somewhat perfected; hut 
me the length of 
in the smaller 
di: 
Hq I 
-itj* r B er aQ d more luxuriant species Uus can hardly be 
a ke s y n °ted, as the growth of several inches sometimes 
P a °e in a very limited time. In the S. pul^zonias, 
