strained and forced into its original direction, so that the extremities of the tube, which have remained soft and pliant, are pushed onwards, the downward shoot becoming a root-like fibre, and the upper continuing the polypary, and swelling out as before, at stated intervals, into cells for the new development of other polypes."1

Undoubtedly the chitinous covering of the polypes, which serves as a protection to their delicate bodies, and a home in which to dwell, is gradually built up, as occasion requires, by absorption and elaboration, from the water of the ocean. These little builders construct their own houses, as the crab and the oyster construct their shells, from material held in solution by the sea-water. These structures may not be so imposing, or so substantial, as those of the architects who construct coral islands, but they are even more beautiful, and equally exhibit a facility for construction

One most interesting feature in the history of these zoophytes is the phenomenon of phosphorescence which they exhibit, although they are not the only animals which contribute to the phosphorescence of the sea.

One author writes:-" I lately had an opportunity of beholding this novel and interesting sight, of the phosphorescence of zoophytes, to great advantage when on board one of the Devonshire trawling-boats which frequent this coast. The trawl was raised at midnight, and great quantities of corallines were entangled in the meshes of the net-work, all shining like myriads of the brightest diamonds;"1 and, subsequently, the same writer says :- "Numerous friends can bear witness to the exceeding brilliancy of the phosphorescent light emitted by a great variety of species, which I was in the habit of exhibiting to them. Once each week I received from the master of a trawling-vessel, on the Dublin coast, a large hamper of zoophytes in a recent state; in the evening these were taken into a darkened room, and the spectators assembled; I then used to gather up, with my hands, as much of the contents of the hamper as I could manage, and, tossing them about in all directions, thousands of little stars shone out brightly from the obscurity, exhibiting a spectacle, the beauty

1 Hassall, in "Annals of Natural History," first series, vol. vii. p. 281.

of which to be appreciated must be seen, and one which it has been the lot of but few persons as yet to have looked upon. Entangled among the corallines were also numerous minute luminous Annelids, which added their tiny fires to the general exhibition."1 It is unnecessary to add confirmation of what is now acknowledged as a fact, but the Rev. D. Landsborough may be quoted for an experience which befel him nearly fifty years since. "I brought from the shore in a pocket vasculum, or tin box, some zoophytes attached to sea-weeds, and laid the vasculum on the lobby table, till I should have leisure to examine them. When night came I put my hand into the vasculum to remove some of the zoophytes for inspection, and, on moving them, I found, to my surprise and delight, that they began to sparkle. Remembering what I had read, as I took them up I gave them a hearty shake, and they instantly became quite brilliant, like handfuls of little stars, or sparkling diamonds. To ascertain what were the zoophytes that emitted this phosphorescence, it was necessary to take them up singly by candle-light, and afterwards to make the experiment in the dark. One (Obelia geniculata) was very luminous, every cell for a few moments becoming a star; and as each polype had a will of its own, they lighted and extinguished their little lamps, not simultaneously, but with rapid irregularity, so that this running fire had a very lively appearance."1

It was in reference to this phenomenon that Crabbe wrote the following lines, so often quoted in connexion with this subject :

"While thus with pleasing wonder you inspect
Treasures the vulgar in their scorn reject,
See, as they float along, th' entangled weeds
Slowly approach, upborne on bladdery heads ;
Wait till they land, and you shall then behold
The fiery sparks those tangled fronds infold,
Myriads of living points; th' unaided eye
Can but the fire, and not the form descry."

The whole subject of the phosphorescence of the sea is of great interest, but hardly comes within our present scope. Very little of this general phosphorescence can be ascribed to our zoophytes, although much, perhaps, to animals equally insignificant and humble. "I remember," writes an observer, "the admiration, not unmixed with wonder, (for then I knew not to what agencies the power by which water seemed suddenly to kindle and glow, as though turned to liquid fire, was to be attributed),

which I felt when first I viewed the beautiful phosphorescence phenomena of the ocean. Beautiful as this spectacle is, even in qur own seas, in warmer latitudes, and in the Mediterranean, it is far more splendid; but, to be seen at all, it is necessary that the water should be disturbed in some way, the slightest breeze curling the surface of the tranquil ocean, calls forth from its waters a flash of phosphorescent fire as it sweeps along the wave, as it falls from the vessel's side, and breaks into ten thousand pieces, reveals innumerable globes of animated fire, suddenly called forth from the darkness which enveloped them each stroke of the dripping oar scatters thousands of living gems around them, unequalled in brilliancy by the glittering of a kingly diadem-a golden path of light, increasing in breadth as the distance becomes greater, follows, like an attendant comet, the wake of the vessel urged onwards by the impelling wind-and the fisher's net, just raised to the water's edge, and laden with spoil collected from the secret beds, and hiding-places of the great deep, seems converted into a golden framework, set with precious jewels, by the presence of numerous zoophytes entangled in its meshes. Indeed, in whatever way the water is agitated the same beautiful appearance follows; if a little be placed even in the palm of the hand, and shaken, bright scintillations will be emitted; but, of course, the