OF NATURAL HISTORY. ^^ 



The animal kingdom furniflics examples of all thefe modes of 

 multiplication. The fuckers of plants have an exadl: analogy to the 

 fhoots of a polypus. When feparatcJ from the parent, the fucker 

 becomes a perfedt plant, and the flioot of the polypus a perfedt ani- 

 mal. Plants are capable of multiplication by flips and cuttings : 

 And the portions of a polypus, however imall, or when cut in any 

 dired;ion, reproduce, and become perfefl animals of the fame fpe- 

 cies. 



But fome fpecies of the polypus, the dart-miilepes, and feveral 

 animalcules which appear in infufions of animal and vegetable fub- 

 ftances, multiply by fplitting, or fpontaneous feparation. Here the 

 analogy between the animal and vegetable might be fuppofed to 

 fail. The water-lentil, however, a fmall plant, which covers the 

 furface of flagnating pools, multiplies its fpecies by detaching thin 

 films from the under fide of the leaf. Thefe films or tender leaves 

 produce roots, and vegetate into a regular plant. 



We mull not difmifs this fubjed till another analogy be unfolded. 

 All animals have feafons peculiar to their refpedtive kinds. Some 

 of the larger animals produce in the fpring, others in fummer, others 

 in autumn, and others in winter. With regard to the infed tribes, 

 their feafons are ftill more various. Every month, every week of 

 the year, gives birth to different fpecies. The feafons of plants are 

 diverfified in a fimilar manner. The growth of different vegetables 

 is diftributed over the whole year. Particular tribes fpring up at the 

 fame uniform periods. In this beautiful diverfity of arrangement, 

 the intentions of Nature are evident. If all plants were to rufli 

 forward at the fame time, they would infallibly choke each other. 

 The furface of the earth could not afford them room. Nature has 

 therefore wifely ordained, that the earth fliould always be covered, 

 with plants ; But fhe hasalfo ordained, that particular tribes fhould. 



I. die 



