blc, would alone be sufficient to exhaust f'je saga c fry 

 of the ablest observer, though applying himself solely 

 to the contemplation of Jt, Vviiat a gainer would 

 physiology be from such an enquiry ! What a number 

 or {ruths, concerning which we should have no doubt, 

 \vouid then augment the treasures of our physical 

 knowledge ! 



5?. The regeneration of fresh wafer 'worms presents 

 s wiih the same phenomena as that of the earth-worm, 

 and liicir structure is likewise very much compounded* 

 Se\eral species of them are principally distinguished by 

 their colour: all of them do not possess, in the saifte 

 degree, the property of multiplying by slips. In gene- 

 ral, the } ^atly surpasses them in this respect ; 

 ^perhaps, becfcUne its structure is, more simple; and it 

 may also be owing to its having a more ample provi- 

 sion of germs. Be that as it may, when we cut off the 

 head or tail from the worms we are treating of, they 

 do not themselves become worms, but all, or the great- 

 est part of the intermediate pieces, how small soever 

 they be, very easily regenerate themselves, and in a- 

 ghort time produce an equal number of complete' 

 worms. 



Regeneration begins by a little puffing up of the an- 

 terior extremity ; this purling seems analogous to the 

 vegetable roll : the wound closes, and quickly conso- 

 lidates: a little bud appears in the cent re of the roll : 

 this bud increases in size and length by degrees. New 

 /ings and new viscera begin to appear. You see from 

 the rest what is to follow. 



You also very easily comprehend after what manner 

 each piece vegetates of itself : it has in miniature the 

 same viscera as the whole exhibited at large. You have 

 not forgot that the parts essential to life are here dispers- 

 ed throughout the whole body, and that circulation is 

 performed in the smallest pieces as in the whole worm 



Little buds, or tubercles, sometimes rise on the 



< bodies of these worms, and give room to think that 



they are young ones growing irom them ; slips, re* 



