167 



CHAP. IX. 



Continuation of Animal Economy considered 

 Insects. 



1. AN the seventh chapter you have seen the earlh+ 

 worm regenerate ; you have contemplated the progress 

 of this regeneration ; you have remarked a little b id 

 that grew at the fore-part of the stump, which, unfold- 

 ing itself by degrees, became a vermiform appendage, a 

 kind of little worm, that seemed to be engrafted on the 

 stump. 



This animal bud has discovered to you the first 

 origin of the part that is reproduced. You have per- 

 ceived that it was lodged in miniature under the fleshy 

 parts of the stump, and that the latter does not con- 

 tribute more towards this production than the earth 

 does to the plants that have taken root in it.. 



Thus he earth-worm contains, like the polypus, a 

 multitude of germs, which begin to unfold themselves 

 as soon as certain accidents convey towards them the 

 nutricious juices. The sources ot reparation are here 

 in proportion to the accidents that may threaten the 

 animal. But the reproduction of the earth-worm is much 

 more astonishing than that of the polypus : it is not 

 only au enormous colossus in comparison of the poly-, 

 pus, byt its structure is also much more compounded. 

 It affords a more numerous aparat us of visceia, vessels, 

 trachac, muscles, &c. It has real blood, and tnis blood 

 circulates. But it is besides an Jiermaphi odite ; it 

 unites at once all the organs peculiar to the two sexes. 

 This insect, which in appearance is the most contempt]- 



