LECTURE VI. 267 



claws of lobsters, when torn off, are renew- 

 ed. It is said, that the divided parts of an 

 earth-worm, if cut in two, will each be- 

 come perfect; and that the head of the 

 snail, and eye of the newt, will grow again, 

 when removed. Yet, I would ask, what is 

 there in these facts more surprizing, than 

 in the reproduction of the stag's horns, 

 and of the plumage of birds ; or in the form- 

 ation of superflous limbs in the foetus, or 

 of monstrous excrescences in the adult? 

 j|\ll parts are originally formed by vessels ; 

 ^nd why may not these agents form them 

 anew, or produce them superfluously? 



In the lower kinds of animals, different 

 parts of the body may each be considered 

 as possessing a perfect nervous system. 

 Those animals which are capable of great 

 degrees of the reproductive processes, have 

 great tenacity of life, and powers of conti-^ 

 nuing its functions without the ordinary 

 supply of food. It is said, that frogs and 

 toads have lived in hollows of wood and 

 stones, so that it is probable they were 

 supported only on the reputed^" cameleon's 



