48 



CLASS MOLLUSCA. 



some of the lar<^er kinds, however, are, in some countries, 

 employed as food. The Romans, according to Pliny, 

 consumed large quantities, and considered them in the 

 light of delicacies, and considerahle pains were taken in 

 fattening them for the table. These from Sicily and the 

 Balearic Islands were in great request, and attained a 

 very large size. Some authors say they are still used 

 as food in several parts of the Continent. 



^trv\^ 



Ilclhi ncmoralis. 



In Paris, London, and many large towns, great num- 

 bers of Snails are frequently brought to market; but 

 these are not employed as Ibod, but used medicinally by 

 persons suffering under consumption, and other diseases 

 of the chest. 



It was already known that polypi, and some species of 

 worms, could have portions of their body cutoff, and that 

 the parts removed would be afterwards reproduced; and 

 as these animals had no well-distinguished extremities, 

 such as heads or limbs, the fart, although singular, was 

 not disputed ; but, when it was asserted by Spallanzani, 

 th.at Snails, which have a very well-defined series of 



