On Aflimaldules,-^partic2darli/ on the Polypes. 2S.> 



for each part, whatever may be its shape, becomes a perfect 

 being in a little time. Now this is not the case, even with every 

 part of a vegetable ; for in general it is onlv when they are cut 

 agreeably to certain rules that we can depend on ati increase of 

 plants; — hence the organization of these animalcules cannot be 

 so completely connected as that of vegetables. 



This opinion is supported by other fa.cts related of this race 

 of beings ; for portions of different polypes may be united to- 

 gether, the head of one when brouoht into contact with the 

 trunk of another quickly forms a perfect union ; they will also 

 exist and perform all their functions after they have been turned 

 inside outwards like a turned glove ; and that even if one polvper 

 be thrust into the body of another, they will unite and become 

 cne distinct animalcule. These are results not only incompa- 

 tible with the exquisite formation of the animal frame, but dis- 

 play far less organization than belongs to the vegetable tribe. 

 It et how can this evident want of organization be reconciled 

 with the animal functions they evidently do possess, which we 

 know must depend upon a far more complete and connected 

 formation than what obtains even among vegetables? This 

 embarrassment gives birth to new opinions; but it is only from au 

 extensive view of the sui)joct, and the strictest attention to ex- 

 perimental results, that we can entertain a reasonable hope of 

 being enabled to form more correct notions respecting this cu- 

 rious branch of natural history. 



After having paid considerable attention to that class of ob- 

 jects termed aiiimalmla iiihisoria, I concluded that the larger 

 kind were portions of mucilaginous matter in which a great num- 

 ber of smaller animalcules resided, ami that these animalcules 

 had the power of shaping the mucilaginous masses, derived from 

 the decaying vegetables and their own secretions, into such forms 

 as to be ai;le to move them by their aggregate force for all the 

 purposes of pleasure and existence. 



That these larger aniaialcules are composed of a number of 

 living beings is higlilyprobable; because when stionglyilluminated 

 by an oblique light they seem to consist of very small distinct 

 scintillating points, and if we magnify them by a direct steady 

 light we discover that these small points are more or less opaque': 

 these appearances, therefore, naturally induce the inference that 

 they are composed of a number of parts each possessing di- 

 stinctly the principles of vitality. When polypes are magnified 

 they appear covered all over with dark spots ; therefore may ue 

 not conclude also, that these are small groups or single animal- 

 cules living in mucilaginous matter obtained from decayed vege- 

 tables and their own secretions, which they have the power of 

 forming into the »hape we call a hydra or polypi- ? 



That 



