A STUDY OF LOWER LIFE. 63 



finding that the polype possesses an unlimited power, not 

 only of resisting injuries, the least of which would be suffi- 

 cient to ensure the death of any ordinary organism plant 

 or animal but of utilising the results of mutilation in the 

 multiplication of its race. As a final feature in the hydra's 

 history, we must allude to one point which perhaps we 

 should deem as even of a more extraordinary kind than 

 the traits of character just described ; this point being ex- 

 emplified by experiments of Trembley's, in which he actually 

 succeeded in turning these polypes inside out, without in the 

 slightest degree interfering with their ultimate vitality. In 

 1742 Trembley first succeeded in his endeavour to place 

 the polype hors de combat, and his plan of procedure was 

 of so ingenious a nature, that we may again let him speak 

 for himself. He tells us that he commenced operations " by 

 giving a worm to the polyp, and put it, when the stomach 

 was well filled, into a little water which filled the hollow of 

 my left hand. I pressed it afterwards with a gentle pinch 

 towards the posterior extremities. In this manner I pressed 

 the worm which was in the stomach against the mouth of the 

 polyp, forcing it to open, continuing the pinching pressure 

 until the worm was partly pressed out of the mouth. When 

 the polyp was in this state, I conducted it gently out of the 

 water without damaging it, and placed it upon the edge of 

 my hand, which was simply moistened in order that the 

 polyp should not stick to it. I forced it to contract itself 

 more and more, and, in doing so, assisted in enlarging the 

 mouth and stomach. I now took in my right hand a thick 

 and pointless boar's bristle, which I held as a lancet is held 

 in bleeding. I approached its thicker end to the posterior 

 extremity of the polyp, which I pressed until it entered the 

 stomach, which it does the more easily since it is empty at 

 this place and much enlarged. I continued to advance the 

 bristle, and, in proportion as it advanced, the polyp became 

 more and more inverted. When it came to the worm by 

 which the mouth was kept open on one side, and the posterior 

 part of the polyp was passed through the mouth, the creature 



