of feiti7ig its Preyl 6g 



the Skin, lying folded as before defcrlbed -f , 

 Page 47. 



When the Polype is thus gorged, it re- 

 mains contracted : its Arms hang down limber 

 and motionlefs like wetted Threads ; and it 

 appears lazy, dull, and unaftive for feveral 

 Hours 3 till, having digefted the Worm, it 

 difcharges the thin Skin or Exuvia thereof 

 upwards by the Mouth ; after which it is 

 ready to eat again, catches hold of what- 

 ever touches the Arms, and will not eafily 

 part with it. 



'Tis a fine Entertainment to behold the 

 Dexterity of a Polype in the maftering its 

 prey, and obferve with what Art it evades | 



and overcomes the fuperior Strength or Agi- 

 lity thereof. Many times, by way of Ex- 

 periment, I have put a large Worm to the 

 very Extremity of a fingle Arm, which has 

 inftantly faftened on it with its little invifible 

 Clafpers. Theti it has afforded me inexpref- 

 fible Pleafure, to fee the Polype poifing and 

 ballancing the Worm, with no lefs feeming 

 Caution and Judgment than a fkilfull Angler 

 (hews when he perceives a heavy Fifh at the 



•f- The Blood of the Worm may be feen, very plainly, 

 paffing into the Polype's Stomach, caufing a Rednefs and 

 Fullnefs there; and the Worm itfelf, even from End to End 

 becoming pale, and aJmoft colourlefs, before the Pol)pe be- 

 gins to fwallow it. 



F End 



