LECTURE V. 203 



act coincidence of opinion between Hunter 

 and Cuvier, as to the structure of the fresh- 

 water polypes (as they are called), the hy- 

 dras of Linncus. Professor Cuvier believes, 

 that polypes are formed of a pulpy sub- 

 stance, having pores that imbibe nourish- 

 ment, which becomes arranged so as to 

 constitute their bodies, and to produce 

 their shoots or offspring. Mr. Hunter 

 says, " I have an idea that some animals 

 absorb their nourishment similar to a 

 sponge, and dispose of it immediately to 

 their own increase," 



To me, however, who confide more in 

 the eye of reason, than in that of sense, 

 and would rather form opinions from ana- 

 logy, than from the imperfect evidence of 

 sight, it seems too hasty an inference to 

 conclude, that in the minute animals, 

 there are no vessels nor other organization 

 because we cannot see them ; or that po- 

 lypes are actually devoid of vessels, and 

 merely of the structure described, because 

 we can discern no other. Were it, how- 

 ever, really so, such facts would then only 



