How to cut 'em a/under. 87 



CHAP. IX. 



Of Cutting Polypes af under ^ and their 

 ReproduBion: with occajional Objervati- 

 ens and Remarki. 



XXZE come now, Sir, to the moft extra- 

 ^^ ordinary Part of this Creature's Hifto- 

 ry : which is, that when cut into Pieces, each 

 Piece can repair itfelf and become a perfed: 

 Animal. 



As I have experienced this very often, 

 I fhall here juft mention my Way of per- 

 forming the Operation, and add a few gene- 

 ral Obfervatlons thereon : leaving the more 

 remarkable Particulars to be fet forth in the 

 following Experiments. 



The Inftrument I cut them with is a Pair 

 of very fharp fmall thin Sciffars.— When I in- 

 tend the Seftion fliould be acrofs, I com- 

 monly (according to Mr. Trembley's 

 Method) place the Polype, with a Drop of 

 Water, in the Palm of my Lcft-Hand, and 

 wait till it extends itfelf to my Wifh : then 

 flipping the Point of my Sciffars underneath, 

 I can eafily divide it where I pleafe. But if 

 I dcfign to cut it the long Way, which Is 

 beft performed in its contradled State, I put 

 it on a little Slip of clean white Paper in a 

 fmall Drop of Water : and when by touching 

 G 4. 1 have 



