INTRODUCTION. 7 



on by a single individual or few at a birth, and the ovum contains but 

 a single fcetus. Among the more perfect animals also, almost every 

 brood of certain species consists of several young. But among the lower 

 tribes are many, each of whose ova contain several embryos, each of these 

 wrapped in its own integument. 



If the race of some of the larger animals be perpetuated by the 

 production of a single individual, it wiU appear a disproportioned multi- 

 pUcation that the families of some of the smaller tribes amount to a 

 brood of perhaps twenty thousand, originating in the same litter. 



It would be erroneous to conclude, however, that the number of 

 young augments in proportion to the diminished size of the parent ; such 

 pecuharities there are no means of explaining. We must content our- 

 selves with saying, " they belong to the race," just as certain animals 

 are solitary, while others are gregarious, or dwell in society. 



The distribution of life amidst the varied multitude of forms enjoy- 

 ing it, so unlike each other in shape or disposition, and existing under 

 such an infinity of circumstances, yet all concurring to the same end, 

 evinces Omnipotent Power diffused throughout the creation. 



It is not in their origin only, in their symmetry and perfection, that 

 they ought to be viewed. We have also to consider of organic bodies, 

 when distorted and impaired of the parts once pertaining to them, how 

 they can be recovered. 



A shapless fragment violently reft from an entire creature, or from 

 one about to perish irretrievably, may become perfect by subsequent de- 

 velopment of the deficient parts. 



This, which we now prize as a reproductive faculty, is in no respect 

 under the control of the living being capable of producing its ovm likeness, 

 or of its abstracted portion, but results from a vi-s imita, pi-eserving the 

 existence, and promoting the growth of living matter. It is not confined 

 to one portion, but may extend over many ; and it may ensue even in 

 relation to the regenerated portions more than once. 



Nevertheless, the faculty gradually weakens, so that in general every 

 successive regeneration is smaller or more imperfect than the organiza- 

 tion preceding it ; and at length it is exhausted. 



