. INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATJONS. Ixvii 



once a year ; but feveral males acquire a long 

 and beautiful tail only during the feafon of their 

 amours, which afterwards falls oE The hair of 

 thole quadrupeds that inhabit the northern cli- 

 mates grows in much greater quantity as the ri- 

 gours of the feafon become more intenfe. The 

 fcales of fiflies, according to fome naturalifts, are 

 yearly renewed 5 but, in the opinion of others, 

 they only acquire an additional ring„ Certain 

 horns alfo grow by an additional flieath periodi- 

 cally acquired. 



In moft of the warm blooded animals, the in^ 

 evitable confequence of mutilating important or- 

 gans is death j even unfkilful treatment of thofe 

 that appear of lefs confequence is generally at- 

 tended with pernicious effefts. The lliock fuf- 

 tained, the pain they endure, and the lofs of 

 blood, all combined, have a fatal tendency, which 

 ends in total deftrudtion. The difference is incre- 

 dible in the mutilations of animals which do not 

 poifefs much internal heat. Not to fpeak of the po^ 

 lypus, which is well known to enjoy the property 

 of living though cut in pieces, and each becom- 

 ing a new and complete animal, there are fome 

 other animals that enjoy prerogatives nearly as 

 great ; and many which furvive the utmoil vio~ 

 ience committed on the body. The claws of 

 lobfters torn off will grow again. The kg^ 

 ^ ^ and 



