42 PLANARIA FELINA. 



Planaria Felina^ Fig. 8. Hitherto our 

 attention has principally been occupied by 

 those facts in the general nature of plana- 

 riae, which irresistibly obtrude themselves 

 on observation ; and although they cannot 

 be denied singularity, they do not seem far 

 removed from the common operations of 

 animal physiology. Now, however, a spe- 

 cies claims animadversion, possessing pecu- 

 liar and exclusive properties, and such as are 

 deemed anomalous in the ordinary features 

 of Zoology. But let us not abuse the 

 meaning of these expressions. It would be 

 presumptuous to affirm, that what is ordina- 

 ry in nature, is comprehended by the mind; 

 or that what is of rare occurrence may not 

 even be more easily susceptible of expla- 

 nation. We are deluded by frequent ap- 

 pearances into the belief of knowledge, and 

 long before being able to reason satisfacto- 

 rily concerning them, we are attracted to 

 what is judged remarkable, merely because 

 it has not been perpetually in view. 



In still or stagnant waters, for the most 



