2^6 ANIMALCULA OF INFUSIONS. I. 



marine monfters, propagating in a manner alto- 

 gether different from that hitherto feen in the 

 fame clafs of large animals. The fea probably 

 contains prodigies of this kind, which would no 

 lefs aftonifh naturalifts than polypi have done. I 

 repeat, that natural hiftory, treated by a fkilfuF 

 philofopher,, will always prove the moft convin- 

 cing reafoning. 



All our phyfical knowledge chieffy refts on 

 analogy ; where this is wanting, or too imperfedty 

 we (hould diftruft explications or hypothefes 

 founded upon it. How many different claffes of 

 polypi have little analogy with other animals ? I 

 cannot but applaud the prudent referve of my 

 illuftrious friend M. Trembley, who was unwil- 

 ling to hazard an eitplanation of the polypus, 

 though he difeovered it, and has fo ably de- 

 fcribed the figure, habits, regeneration, and pro- 

 pagation. His excellent memoirs are a real logi- 

 cal plienomenon of this defcription ; for how is 

 it poffible continually to defcribe wonders with- 

 out yielding to the temptation of accounting for 

 them? I fliould have to reproach myfelf with not 

 fiDllowing his example, had I not taken the great- 

 eft precautions to prevent my readers from con^- 

 founding my trivial hypothefis with facts. I have 

 not even hazarded an explanation of the arm 

 polypus, excepting in thofe things that feem to 

 approximate them to vegetables. An error re- 

 marked 



