4?2 
Journal of the 
Notes on living Polyzoa. By J. It. Y. Goldstein. 
[Read 23rd November, 1878.] 
In penning the following notes of observations on living Polyzoa , 
my chief desire was to illustrate how easily any person possessed of 
a microscope can be of use to the world of science by jotting 
down, as they occur, whatever incidents he may consider peculiar 
in the appearance, habits, and general life-history of the various 
forms of minute life to be met with during quiet hours with the 
microscope. 
It is true, many such notes will be repetitions of what has 
previously been observed by others, but it is equally true that just 
as many of them will be new. None can study closely any rare 
form of microscopic life without observing something never before 
recorded. When the student, conversant with the work done by 
others on the subject under examination, first discovers a new 
truth, he feels a joy equal to that which rewards the philosopher 
upon gaining the object of his researches after years ol toil and 
when he renews his pleasure by narrating the result of his obser¬ 
vations to a society like ours, he experiences the full benefit of 
association, through having his work lovingly criticised, and being 
encouraged to further labours in the same direction. 
While on this topic, I may bo allowed to express wonder that 
men with valuable instruments, and all the costly appliances 
thereto belonging, will persistently fritter away their time in mere 
gazing, say at the beautiful markings on the frustules of diatoms. 
Diatoms are certainly beautiful, but they are by no means the 
most beautiful of nature’s fashionings. I dare assert that the 
lovely forms of cell architecture to be met with among the Polyzoa 
will run them close on comparison, while any one of the species of 
this family, alive, would leave the much-loved diatoms far behind 
in any contention for a prize. 
Then the dcsiro to accumulate slides is too frequently little 
better than evidence of the mere love of having. In many cases 
approaching to the mania for tulip bulbs, or for old china. The 
general run of men with microscopes require to be lifted out of a 
groove and forced to enjoy the pleasures of observation and 
thought, soon opened out for their delectation in the study of any 
