ANIMALS. 



28J 



Lideed the infinite number of creatures that putrid substances 

 seem to give birth to, and the variety of little insects seen float- 

 ing in liquors, by the microscope, appear to favour this opinion. 

 But however this may be, the former method of classing animals 

 can now by no means be admitted, as we find many animals that 

 are produced neither from the womb nor from the shell, but 

 merely from cuttings ; so that to multiply life in some creatures, 

 it is sufficient only to multiply the dissection. This being the 

 simplest method of generation, and that in which life seems to 

 require the smallest preparation for its existence, I will begin 

 with it, and so proceed to the two other kinds, from the mean- 

 est to the most elaborate. 



The earth-worm, the millipedes, the sea-worm, and many 

 marine insects, may be multiplied by being cut in pieces ; but the 

 polypus is noted for its amazing fertility ; and from hence it will 

 be proper to take the description. The structure of the polypus 

 may be compared to the finger of a glove, open at one end, and 

 closed at the other. The closed end represents the tail of the 

 polypus, with which it serves to fix itself to any substance it 

 happens to be upon ; the open end may be compared to the 

 mouth ; and, if we conceive six or eight small strings issuing 

 from this end, we shall have a proper idea of its arms, which 

 it can erect, lengthen, and contract, at pleasure, like the homs 

 of a snail. This creature is very voracious, and makes use of its 

 arms as a fisherman does of his net, to catch and entangle such 

 little animals as happen to come within its reach. It lengthens 

 these arms several inches, keeps them separated from each 

 other, and thus occupies a large space in the water in vi'hich it 

 resides. These arms, when extended, are as fine as threads of 

 silk, and have a most exquisite degree of feeling. If a small 

 worm happens to get \rithin the sphere of their activity, it is 

 quickly entangled by one of these arms, and, soon after, the other 

 arms come to its aid : these all together shortening, the worm is 

 drawn into the animal's mouth, and quickly devoured, colouring 

 the body as it is swallowed. Thus much is necessary to be ob- 

 served of this animal's method of living, to show that it is not 

 of the vegetable tribe, but a real animal, performing the func- 

 tions which other animals are found to perform, and endued with 

 powers that many of them are destitute of. But what is most 

 extraordinary, remains yet to be told ; for, if examined with a 



