degree ignorant of the actual powers of the Hydra. Many years elapsed, before any fresh discoveries were made; till, in the year 1730, a naturalist of the name of Trembly, while searching in the neighbourhood of Geneva for some aquatic plants, discovered, and brought to light, these singular productions. Surprised at the extraordinary formation of a creature which presented the aspect of a plant, while it possessed the motion of an animal, he determined to ascertain its doubtful' nature, and was equally delighted and astonished to find, that, on being divided into two parts, each, apparently, remained uninjured by the separation; and that, in the course of a few days, the several portions reproduced the deficient organs, and eat, and moved as before!

The discovery was made known, and at first considered merely as a fable; it was even contended that it was impossible, on the principles of sound philosophy, and common sense. But the fact was undeniable; and the attention of every European naturalist was consequently excited by the singularity of the circumstance. Ditches and stagnant waters were ransacked for their inhabitants, and one experiment succeeded another, till their real nature was completely ascertained. It was also found that the animals of most of the Coral tribes, both hard and soft, were closely connected with Polypes in

their construction and reproductive powers; whilst others, though endued with the same extraordinary qualities, seemed more allied to the Actinæ, and Medusæ.

This interesting genus is very generally diffused; and while some are scarcely distinguishable among the sea-weeds to which they adhere, others stand forth in all their native beauty, and gaily decorate the rocks to which they cling.

Such, especially, are the Sea Anemones; an elegant genus, closely resembling the flower from which it derives a name. I have often gathered specimens on the shore at Sidmouth, when the receding of the tide has left uncovered that beautiful range of small broken rocks, which are so dear to the lovers of marine botany. These specimens would continue in great beauty for a considerable time, when kept in basins filled with salt water, and fed with small pieces of fish. Their colours in different lights were changeable as those of the Camelion.

Different species belong to this family, and are equally distinguished for their varied tints, and elegant construction. The Sea Carnation presents the appearance of a long white fig, delicately wrinkled and curvated at the top, like the petals of a garden carnation; the Sunflower Anemone, grows on rocks, and expands its saffron-coloured petals, in imitation of the stately flower to which it owes a

degree ignorant of the actual powers of the Hydra. Many years elapsed, before any fresh discoveries were made; till, in the year 1730, a naturalist of the name of Trembly, while searching in the neighbourhood of Geneva for some aquatic plants, discovered, and brought to light, these singular productions. Surprised at the extraordinary formation of a creature which presented the aspect of a plant, while it possessed the motion of an animal, he determined to ascertain its doubtful' nature, and was equally delighted and astonished to find, that, on being divided into two parts, each, apparently, remained uninjured by the separation; and that, in the course of a few days, the several portions reproduced the deficient organs, and eat, and moved as before!

The discovery was made known, and at first considered merely as a fable; it was even contended that it was impossible, on the principles of sound philosophy, and common sense. But the fact was undeniable; and the attention of every European naturalist was consequently excited by the singularity of the circumstance. Ditches and stagnant waters were ransacked for their inhabitants, and one experiment succeeded another, till their real nature was completely ascertained. It was also found that

the animals of most of the Coral tribes, both hard and soft, were closely connected with Polypes in

their construction and reproductive powers; whilst others, though endued with the same extraordinary qualities, seemed more allied to the Actinæ, and Medusæ.

This interesting genus is very generally diffused; and while some are scarcely distinguishable among the sea-weeds to which they adhere, others stand forth in all their native beauty, and gaily decorate the rocks to which they cling.

Such, especially, are the Sea Anemones; an elegant genus, closely resembling the flower from which it derives a name. I have often gathered specimens on the shore at Sidmouth, when the receding of the tide has left uncovered that beautiful range of small broken rocks, which are so dear to the lovers of marine botany. These specimens would continue in great beauty for a considerable time, when kept in basins filled with salt water, and fed with small pieces of fish. Their colours in different lights were changeable as those of the Camelion.

Different species belong to this family, and are equally distinguished for their varied tints, and elegant construction. The Sea Carnation presents the appearance of a long white fig, delicately wrinkled and curvated at the top, like the petals of a garden carnation; the Sunflower Anemone, grows on rocks, and expands its saffron-coloured petals, in imitation of the stately flower to which it owes a

degree ignorant of the actual powers of the Hydra. Many years elapsed, before any fresh discoveries were made; till, in the year 1730, a naturalist of the name of Trembly, while searching in the neighbourhood of Geneva for some aquatic plants, discovered, and brought to light, these singular productions. Surprised at the extraordinary formation of a creature which presented the aspect of a plant, while it possessed the motion of an animal, he determined to ascertain its doubtful nature, and was equally delighted and astonished to find, that, on being divided into two parts, each, apparently, remained uninjured by the separation; and that, in the course of a few days, the several portions reproduced the deficient organs, and eat, and moved as before!

The discovery was made known, and at first considered merely as a fable; it was even contended that it was impossible, on the principles of sound philosophy, and common But the fact was