80 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1744. 



seen, that many of these little round bodies remained within the bodies of the 

 polypi; and it is therefore apparent that these little bodies, so taken in, became 

 their food. 



These tunnel-like polypi also multiply by dividing into two, but they divide 

 otherwise than the clustering polypi : they neither divide longitudinally nor trans- 

 versely, but sloping and diagonal-wise. Of two tunnel-like polypi, just produced 

 by the division of one, the first has the old head and a new posterior end ; and 

 the other the old posterior end, with a new head. 



We may call that which has the old head, the superior polypus ; and that 

 which has the new head, the inferior one. The first particulars observable in a 

 a tunnel-like polypus that is going to divide, are the lips of the inferior polypus ; 

 viz. those transparent edges that are so conspicuous in the polypi when entirely 

 formed. These new lips first discover themselves on the polypus that is going 

 to divide, from a little below the old lips, to about two-thirds of the length of 

 the polypus, reckoning from the head : but these new lips are not disposed in a 

 straight line, according to the length of the polypus, but run sloping near half- 

 way round about. These lips are known by the motion in them, but which 

 motion is at first very slow. That portion of the body of the polypus, that is 

 bounded by these new lips, then gathers itself up, the new lips insensibly draw 

 together and close ; by which there forms, at the side of the polypus, a swelling, 

 that is soon found to be the head of the new one, bounded by the new lips first 

 discovered. Before this swelling is become very remarkable, we begin to dis- 

 tinguish the 2 polypi which are forming ; and when that swelling is considerably 

 increased, ihe 2 polypi will be discovered, only joined by a small portion to each 

 other. The superior polypus no longer adheres to the inferior one, but by its 

 posterior extremity, which is still fixed on one side of the inferior polypus : the 

 superior polypus then begins to make motions that seemingly tend to his separat- 

 ing from the other ; and in a little time he becomes quite detached, swims away, 

 and fixes himself elsewhere. Sometimes one has come and fixed at the side of 

 the inferior polypus, from which he was just before separated. The inferior 

 polypus remains fixed in the same place, where the polypus was that is now di- 

 vided, and of which he was only the half, before the division took place. 



Observations relating to Vegetable Seeds. By James Parsons, M. D., F. R. S. 



N°474, p. 184. 



TTie first here examined, is the seed of the musk scabious, which, for its 

 shape and structure, is amazing. It resembles an octagonal vase with a scal- 

 loped brim : the whole is bell-shaped, having ribs or divisions, which run down 

 from the mouth of the vase, and becoming narrower, form the bottom : between 

 these ribs, down to the beginning of the narrow part, it is clear, though not 



