INTRODUCTION. 9 



the successive evolution of new parts, and the partial or total obliteration 

 of the old ones. Monstrosities, or rather their semblance, must be there- 

 fore generated, which are rectified in symmetry through the progress to 

 matui'ity. 



During this transition, some of a wonderful description succeed. 

 An animated being springs from a known parent, to which it does not 

 bear the slightest resemblance either in form or habits. While the latter 

 remains stationary, immoveably affixed, or permanently adhering to the 

 same spot, its jjrogeny enjoys unbounded activity ; it never rests. None , 

 of the organs it possesses are to be discovered in the parent ; its food is 

 different, or it is not known to feed ; its form, its habits, its whole mode 

 of existence are foreign to those of the author of its being. Void of 

 evidence of the fact, we are prone to deny their kindred. But gradual 

 modification of all peculiarities begins to render them less unlike, and at 

 length the new animal is identified with the aspect of the old. 



The form of some creatures being perfected, all the parts remain 

 soft and compressible. The body also undergoes gTeat reduction of size, 

 more conspicuous in the different organs alternately, than as affecting 

 its whole structure. An incredible portion of the entire animal is occu- 

 pied by tubes, by pouches, and cavities, which, replenished by imbiljition, 

 or absorption greatly enlarges its size. It is thus that the beautiful and 

 active tentacula, and perhaps also the branchiae, are swollen. Their con- 

 tents being discharged, little remains of the admirable form but an empty 

 skin. 



It may be readily comprehended how in states, stages, and circum- 

 stances so very different, the organs of sense, sensation, and perception, 

 must be moulded to the creature's exigencies in each : and herein is the 

 benignity of Omnipotence displayed. The refining animal is suffei'ing no 

 injury ; it reaches perfection in possession of what is important for its 

 preservation. 



Nevertheless we still remain profoundly ignorant of the real number, 

 power, and nature of the senses belonging to most of the inferior tribes, 

 whether dwelling in air or in water. Neither can we positively affirm that 



B 



