ANIMAL GRAFTS AND REGENERATIONS. 



SCIENTIFIC examinations followed out by the method 

 of experiment are usually of a kind which either aids in 

 completing theoretical conceptions as to the world, or else 

 serves to stimulate useful applications in the region of in- 

 dustry and the arts. They sometimes join both these ad- 

 vantageous objects. The subject an entirely new one 

 of animal grafting and regeneration presents this twofold 

 interest in a very high degree. It sheds light on physio- 

 logical theories, and supplies medical practice with novel 

 resources ; but it possesses another character of marked 

 singularity in this respect, that the positive results it yields 

 contribute at once to confirm the boldest conjectures of 

 philosophic genius in past times, and to authorize the most 

 daring hopes indulged by naturalists who have faith in 

 man's omnipotence in times to come. It is our design to 

 give a succinct demonstration of this truth. 



At the opening of the eighteenth century, hardly any 

 other instance was known of the case of reproduction of 

 organs in animals except that of the lizard's tail, which 

 grows again after having been cut off. At least, savants 

 knew no others, or rather they denied and classed with 

 fables the declarations of fishermen regarding the regenera- 

 tion of the limbs of crawfish, lobsters, etc. Reaumur de- 

 termined, in 1712, to get at the truth as to these stories, 



