Fig. 36.—Nettling Cell. II. discharged, and I. not discharged.
Lasso Cells.—Upon the tentacles (Fig. [35]) are numerous cells provided each with a threadlike process (Fig. [36]) which lies coiled within the cell, but which may be thrown out upon a water flea, or other minute animal that comes in reach. The touch of the lasso paralyzes the prey (Fig. [37]). These cells are variously called lasso cells, nettling cells, or thread cells. The thread is hollow and is pushed out by the pressure of liquid within. When the pressure is withdrawn the thread goes back as the finger of a glove may be turned back into the glove by turning the finger outside in. When a minute animal, or other particle of food comes in contact with a tentacle, how does the tentacle get the food to the mouth? By bending and bringing the end to the mouth, or by shortening and changing its form, or in both ways? (Fig. [34], C.) Do the neighbouring tentacles seem to bend over to assist a tentacle in securing prey? (Fig. [34], C.)
Fig. 37.—Hydra capturing a water flea.
Digestion.—The food particles break up before remaining long in the stomach, and the nutritive part is absorbed by the lining cells, or endoderm (Fig. [39]). The indigestible remnants go out through the mouth. The hydra is not provided with a special vent. Why could the vent not be situated at the end opposite the mouth?
Fig. 38.—Hydras on the under surface of pondweed.
Circulation and Respiration.—Does water have free access to the body cavity? Does the hydra have few or nearly all of its cells exposed to the water in which it lives? From its structure, decide whether it can breathe like a sponge or whether special respiratory cells are necessary to supply it with oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. Blood vessels are unnecessary for transferring oxygen and food from cell to cell.
Reproduction.—Do you see any swellings upon the side of the hydra? (Fig. [34], A.) If the swelling is near the tentacles, it is a spermary; if near the base, it is an ovary. A sperm coalesces with or fertilizes the ovum after the ovum is exposed by the breaking of the ovary wall. Sometimes the sperm from one hydra unites with the ovum of another hydra. This is called cross-fertilization. The same term is applied to the process in plants when the male element, developed in the pollen of the flower, unites with the female element of the ovule of the flower on another plant. The hydra, like most plants and some other animals, is hermaphrodite, that is to say, both sperms and ova are produced by one individual. In the autumn, eggs are produced with hard shells to withstand the cold until spring. Sexual reproduction takes place when food is scarce. Asexual generation (by budding) is common with the hydra when food supply is abundant. After the bud grows to a certain size, the outer layer of cells at the base of the bud constricts and the young hydra is detached.