02 WONDERS OF ORGANIC LIFE. 



reproduction of limbs also takes place ; but in 

 true insects, generally speaking, their life is too 

 short to admit of the accomplishment of such 

 a process, although that of healing, if not of 

 restoration, is effected. 



But the mere restoration of limbs is a trifle ; 

 it would seem as if it were a benefit to some 

 animals to sever them asunder, inasmuch as 

 two or more distinct creatures are the result of 

 the operation. For example, in the sea-ane- 

 mones (Actinia) the irritability, or, as some 

 please to term it, sensibility, is so great that 

 they will contract their tentacles, and fold up 

 their flower-like forms, even when a dark cloud 

 passes over them ; yet such is the vital energy 

 of these beings, that when cut asunder trans- 

 versely, each part will become a perfect and 

 distinct animal. In this case the basal part is 

 about two months in regaining tentacles. They 

 may be also longitudinally divided with the 

 like results. Certain small leech-like animals, 

 termed plana?ia, which inhabit both fresh and 

 salt water, are not only multiplied by division, 

 but even spontaneously separate themselves 

 into distinct portions, each portion becoming 

 an independent being. To the sea-stars also 

 (asterias) this power of self-multiplication is 

 abundantly given. If torn into pieces, each 

 fraction becomes a distinct animal, ready to 

 carry on its destructiveness among the beds of 

 oysters. It would be easy to adduce multi- 

 farious examples of this power of reparation of 

 injuries, and of distinct individuality resulting 



