136 PLANARIA EDINENSIS. 



the planariae of the division to which it per- 

 tains, seem to support shght and transient 

 desiccation with greater impunity than the 

 rest. The hody is much enlarged, and dis- 

 tended into an utricular shape by feeding ; 

 it seems hollow within, and the interanea 

 are apparently lodged in the circumference. 

 Globules of air are frequently absorbed 

 along with the food, which reduce the ani- 

 mal's specific gravity so much as to render 

 it incapable of descending in its fluid. It 

 sucks its food like the leech, which, contra- 

 ry to the general opinion, is an animal 

 highly carnivorous ; and the examples daily 

 given of its surviving incredibly long in 

 pure water, instead of being admitted as 

 demonstration that food is unnecessary, 

 ought rather to be ranked with other pro- 

 digies of living beings enduring abstinence. 

 Marsh water, frequently renewed, will al- 

 ways prove a salutary supply. 



The planaria Edinensis propagates by 

 eggs, which are invariably seen in the same 

 situation near the orifice of the mouth, 



