Obfervatiom on Them. 71 



within Doors, as would naturally prefent, 

 could we bring them under Notice in the 

 open Waters where they breed, and are living 

 in their own Way. For feveral Months 

 pad, I have daily, with great Attention, 

 been viewing and confidering them as to 

 their Forms, Motions, Contra&ons, Exten- 

 fions, Manner of Feeding and Increafe, both 

 with and without the Microfcope^ which 

 has enabled me to put thefe Remarks to* 

 gether : but I am fufficiently convinced how 

 defective they muft be, for want of feeing 

 the Animal in its more natural Way : and, 

 therefore, how liable I am to be miftaken 

 in many of my Conjedtures. 



When they raife themfelves upright at the 

 Bottom of the Veffel, or adhere to the Side 

 thereof playing their Arms, they feem in 

 better Health than if they lye along at the 

 Bottom of the Water, without fixing their 

 Tails: though fometimes fingle Polypes that 

 are very large, and frequently fuch as have 

 many young Ones hanging about them, will 

 lye io for many Days together, and yet feem 

 well enough. They often get to the Surface 

 of the Water, by crawling up the Sides of the 

 Glafs, and there hang, either by the Arms or 

 Tail, or lay themfelves along and float. But in 

 either Condition they appear uncapable of 

 finking : for if you plunge them in the Water, 

 unlefs they are held down for a little while, 

 they will inftantly be at Top again. , I can't be 

 F 4 fure 



