POLYPI. GELATIN OSI. 407 



surface, now being the stomach, and the contrary. 

 Of course it was not intended by God, that the 

 animals before us should be propagated in these 

 artificial modes, but the facts are interesting, because 

 they prove that the life is equally diffused throughout 

 the substance, and that each atom is endowed with all 

 the functions necessary to the formation of a com- 

 plete animal. The ordinary mode of increase is by 

 the young animals budding from the side of the 

 adult, and detaching themselves ; but previously to 

 their separation, they themselves often send out side- 

 buds, so that several generations may sometimes be 

 seen branching from one parent. Trembley has seen 

 nineteen young of various ages growing on one, their 

 numerous long tentacles twining about in inextrica- 

 ble confusion. The young capture prey with their 

 tentacles some time before they are detached from 

 the parent ; the food in such case passing through 

 the infant into the maternal stomach. The point of 

 connexion, however, becoming gradually narrowed, 

 the young one at length separates to commence its 

 own independent existence. 



