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raele tliat may not b'e performed by means of the poly- 

 pus ; but miracles, when multiplied to so great a degree, 

 hardly appear to be such. A polypus may be introduced, 

 by its hind part into the body of another polypus. The 

 two individuals unite, their heads become ingrafted into 

 each other r and the polypus, which at first was double 

 is converted into a single polypus, that eats, grows and 

 multiplies. 



I have compared the polypus to the finger of a glove: 

 this finger may Ue turned inside out :. so may the poly- 

 pus likewise, and being so shifted, can fish^ swallow, and 

 multiply by slips and shoots. 



It will be easily believed that the polypus does not like 

 to remain thus shifted. It makes an effort to regain its 

 former position, and frequently succeeds either in part, 

 or altogether. The polypus, which is partly turned back, 

 again as at rst is a real Proteus, that assumes all kinds- 

 of forms; which are all equally strange. Endeavour to re- 

 present to yourself the polypus thus turned again. You 

 remember that the insect is made in the form of a boweL 

 One part of rhe bowel then is turned backwards on ti e 

 other; it there fastens and engrafts itself. In ihat case 

 the polypus is as it were doubled. The mouth encom- 

 passes the body like a fringed girdle; thi? arms are the 

 fringe. They then point towards the tail. The fore- 

 part continues open ; the other is usually shut up. 

 You expeet no doubt to see a new head and new arm* 

 to grow out of the fore-part ; which you have observed 

 in all the polypuses that have been divided transversely. 

 But the polypus combines itself a thousand different-' 

 ways, and each combination has its consequences,, 

 which experience alone can discover to you. The fore- 

 part closes itself; it becomes a su pern nine vary tail. 

 The polypus, which at first extended in the right line, is- 

 curved more and more. The supernumerary tail 

 lengthens every day. The two tails resemble the feet 

 of a pair of compasses. The compasses, are partly open. 

 The ancient mouth is at the head of the tampasses. 

 This moiii h which is fastened to the body, and em- 

 braces it like a ring, cannot discharge its Functions. 

 What then must become of the unfortunate poljpus. 



