418 fl;STOBY OF 



often seen seizing the same worm at different ends, and dragging 

 it at opposite directions with great force. It often happens, 

 that while one is swallowing its respective end, the other is also 

 employed in the same manner, and thus they continue, swallow- 

 ing each his part, until their mouths meet together ; they then 

 rest, each for some time in this situation, till the worm breaks 

 between them, and each goes off with his share ; but it often 

 happens that a seemingly more dangerous combat ensues, when 

 the mouths of both are thus joined upon one common prey to- 

 gether ; the largest polypus then gapes and swallows his anta- 

 gonist ; but what is very wonderful, the animal thus swallowed 

 seems to be rather a gainer by the misfortune. After it has lain 

 in the conqueror's body for about an hour, it issues unhurt, and 

 often in possession of the prey which had been the original 

 cause of contention. How happy would it be for men if they 

 had as little to fear from each other ! 



These reptiles continue eating the whole year, except when 

 the cold approaches to congelation ; and then, like most others 

 of the insect tribe, they feel the general torpor of nature, and 

 all their faculties are for two or three months suspended : but 

 if they abstain at one time, they are equally voracious at an- 

 other, and, like snakes, ants, and other animals, that are torpid 

 in winter, the meal of one day suffices them for several months 

 together. In general, however, they devour more largely in pro- 

 portion to their size, and their growth is quick exactly as they 

 are fed ; such as are best supplied, soonest acquire their largest 

 size, but they diminish also in their growth with the same faci- 

 lity if their food be taken away. 



Such are the more obvious properties of these little animals, 

 but the most wonderful still remain behind : their manner of pro- 

 pagation, or rather multiplication, has for some years been the 

 astonishment of all the learned of Europe. They are produced 

 in as great a variety of manner as every species of vegetable- 

 Some polypi are propagated from eggs, as plants are from their 

 seed: some are produced by buds issuing from their bodies, as 

 plants are produced by inoculation ; while all may be multi- 

 plied by cuttings, and this to a degree of minuteness that ex- 

 ceeds even philosophical perseverance. 



With respect to such of this kind as are hatched from the egg, 

 little curious can be added, as it is a method of propagation so 



