INTROI>rCTION. 



>n by a .-in^lc individual or few nt u birth, and the ovum contain^ lut 

 is. Among the more perfect animals also, almost every 

 brood of certain . n-i.-i- ( >e\eral young. But among tin- i 



tribes are many, each of whose ova contain several embryos, each of thm- 

 wrapped iu its o\vn integument. 



If the race of some of the larger animals be perpetuated by the 

 production of a single individiiiil. it will appear a disproportioned multi- 

 plication that tin- families of some of tin- smaller tribe* amount to a 

 brood of perhaps twenty thousand, originating in the same litter. 



It would Ix- erroneous to conclude, however, that the IUIIII|KT of 

 young augments in proportion to the diminished size of the parent ; such 

 peculiarities there are no means of explaining. We must content our 

 elves with Haying, " they belong to the race," just as certain animal.-- 

 are solitary, while others are gregarious, or dwell in society. 



The distribution of life amidst tin- varied multitude of forma enjo\ 

 mi; it, so unlike each other iu shape or dis]M>sition, and existing under 

 such an infinity of circumstaii' -. yet all concurring to the name en<i. 

 evinces Omnipotent Power diffused throughout the creation. 



It i- not in their origin only, in their symmetry and perfection, thai 

 they ought to be viewed. We have also to consider of organic bodies. 

 when distorted and impaired of the parts once pertaining to them, how 

 they can be recovered. 



A shapless fragment violently reft from an entire creature, or from 

 one about to perish irretrievably, may become perfect by subsequent de- 

 velopment of the deficient part*. 



This, which we now prize as a reproductive faculty, is in no respect 

 under the control of the living U-ing capable of producing its own likeness, 

 or of its abstracted portion, but results from a ru insita, preserving the 

 existence, and promoting the growth of living matter. It is not confined 

 to one portion, but may extend over many ; and it may ensue 

 relation to the regenerated portions more than once. 



rtheless, the faculty gradually weakens, so that in general < 

 successive regeneration is smaller or more imperfect than tho organiza- 

 tion precedini: it : and at length it is exhausted 



