^94 THE ZOOPHYTES. 



body in a very sudden manner when disturbed, s» 

 as to appear only like a roundish green spot ; and, 

 when the danger is over, it again extends itself as 

 before. 



It is of an extremely predacious nature, and feeds 

 on the various species of small worms, and other 

 water animals that happen to approach. When any 

 animal of this kind passes near the Polype, it 

 suddenly catches it with its arms, and, dragging it to 

 its mouth, swallows it by degrees, much in the same 

 manner as a snake swallows a frog. Two of them 

 may sometimes be seen in the act of seizing the 

 same worm at different ends, and dragging it in op- 

 posite directions with great force. It often happens 

 that, \ hile one is swallowing its respective end> 

 the otl er is als employed in the same manner ; and 

 thus they continue swallowing each his part, until 

 their mouths meet together: they then rest each 

 for some time in this situation, till the worm breaks 

 between them, and each goes off with his share. 

 But it often happens that a seemingly more danger- 

 ous combat ensues, when the mouth ot both are 

 thus joined together upon one common prey : the 

 largest Polype then gapes and swallows his antago- 

 nist j but, what is most wonderful, the animal thus 

 swallowed seems to be rather a gainer by the mis- 

 fortune. After it has lain in the conqueror's body 

 for about an hour it issues unhurt, and often in 

 possession of the prey that had been the original 

 cause of contention. The remains of the animals 

 on which the Polype feeds, are evacuated at the 

 mouth, the only opening in the body. It is capable 



