60 PLANARIA FELINA. 



phenomenon in the history of the animal 

 creation. I have, as already said, kept 

 hundreds of the species in question, at eve- 

 ry season of the year, and subject to almost 

 every condition, yet none other has at 

 any time been witnessed ; and, so far as 

 my observations go, no individuals are ex- 

 empt from dismemberment of the body. It 

 succeeds alike in the large and small, whe- 

 ther abstinence or repletion prevails ; and 

 as well with those extenuated, as when co- 

 piously supplied with nutriment ; in a state 

 of liberty, and one of confinement. Still, 

 this is not enough to deny, that the race 

 may be also perpetuated by the ordinary 

 means which nature has chosen for the pre- 

 servation of animals. Possibly the fact is 

 already proved by authors, with whose 

 works I am unacquainted. The knowled^'e 

 of man is scanty ; his understanding is im- 

 perfect : and the humble enquiries of one 

 may long be directed in vain, to what the 

 more brilHant talents of another conquer 

 without difficulty. 



