33d WORMS AND ZOOPHYTES 



When the Polypus is unfupplied with prey, it teftifies its hunger by open-* 

 ing its mouth : the aperture, however, is fo fmall that it cannot be eanly 

 perceived ; but when, with any of its long arms, it has leized its prey, it 

 then opens the mouth diftinclly enough, and always in proportion to the 

 fize of the animal k would fwallow ; the lips dilate infenfibly, and pre- 

 cifely to the figure of their prey. Mr. Trembiey found rhey could 

 devour aliments of every kind, fifh and flefh as well as infeds. When 

 he gave one of thefe famifhed reptiles any fubftance which was improper 

 for aliment, at firft it feized the prey with avidity, but, after keeping it 

 fome time entangled near the mouthj let it drop again with diftinguifhing 

 nicety* 



When feveral polypi happen to leize the fame worm^ they difpute their 

 prey. Two are often fee/i feizing the fame worm at different epds, and 

 dragging it at oppofite diredions with great force. Often they continue 

 fwallowing each his part, till their mouths meet j then they reft till the 

 worm breaks ; but it often happens, when the mouths of both are thus 

 joined, the larger polypus gapes and fwallows his antagonift, which, after 

 it has lain in the conqueror's body an hour, iflfucs unhurt, and often in pof- 

 feflion of the prey contended for. 



They continue eating the whole year, but when the cold approaches 

 to congelation, then they feel the general torpor, and their faculties are 

 for two or three months fufpended. The meal of one day fuffices them 

 feveral months. In general they devour in proportion to their fize, and 

 their growth is quickeft as they are beft fed. 



They are produced in as great a variety of manners as a vegetable* 

 Some polypi from eggs, as plants from feed ; fome by buds, as plants 

 by inoculation; all may be multiplied by cuttings, and this to minute- 

 nefs beyond expectation. 



In fummer, a polypus exhibits in different parts of its body tubercles 

 or little knobs, which enlarge daily, and, after two or three days, take the 

 figure of a fmall animal, refembling its parent, furnilhcd with feelers, 

 a mouth, and apparatus for feizing and digefting its prey : this daily be- 

 comes larger, like the parent, to which it continues attached ; fpreads its 

 arms to fcize whatever is proper for aliment, and devours it for its own 

 particular benefit j thus it poffcffes two fources of nouriftiment, that 

 which it receives from the parent by the tail, and that which it receives 

 from its own induftry by the mouth. The food which thefe animals re- 

 ccivc'often tindures the whole body, and the parent i* fcen commuhicat- 



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