20 INTRODUCTION TO 



classes of animals. For instance, they are similar to the second class 

 of the Ovipara 1 , for the seed and the eggs are the same step. 



Animals of any particular class have not one way only of propagating 

 their species (excepting the more perfect or 1st class of animals 2 ) ; for 

 we have the second 3 and even the third class 4 aping the first, and 

 attempting to be viviparous ; such as vipers, lizards, and some fish 3 . 

 We have the third class aping the second in being oviparous, with a 

 ' white ' to the egg, such as [some] fish, which in general are oviparous 

 with the yolk only : the skate is of this class [viz. oviparous with a 

 white to the egg 6 ]. 



"We have animals that propagate their species by slips, and that in 

 two different ways : one by a piece cut off, the other a natural process, 

 viz. buds growing and these falling off and producing a distinct animal ; 

 which can only take place in animals, as only that being has the power 

 of separation and the power of afterwards catching its food, which 

 admits of a continuation of life 7 . 



Many vegetables are propagated in the same manner : the Willow is 

 a striking instance of this 8 . 



Vegetables being easily affected bxj Impressions. 



Vegetables are very much affected by external impressions, much 

 more so than animals. They have their peculiar climates in which they 

 thrive best ; and there are climates in which they cannot live, and this 



1 [By this Hunter means the third class according to his ' generative ' system of 

 classification, viz. the Fishes which propagate by ' roe,' or numerous simultaneously 

 developed eggs, of small size, and consisting almost wholly of yolk. 



2 [Mammalia.] 



3 [The ' Ovipara ' with fewer and successively developed eggs, in which the yolk 

 is surrounded by albumen and defended by a calcareous or coriaceous shell.] 



4 [Third of the ' generative system ; ' second of the oviparous division.] 



5 [Certain sharks, e. g. Scoliodon, Spinccx: Hunter's Preparations, Nos. 3255, 3256, 

 3258. See also the Viper, No. 3310 ; Eattlesnake, No. 3316 ; Slow-worm (Angnis), 

 No. 3326 ; the Viviparous Lizard (Podarcis muralis), Nos. 3346 and 3347.] 



6 [Hunter's Preparations, Nos. 3236-3240.] 



7 [Mr. Clift had added the following note to this passage : — " Mr. Hunter was not 

 aware that some plants have young plants which grow from the serrated edge of a thick 

 fleshy leaf, and, when the leaf separates from the tree, it falls to the ground, but 

 nourishes the young plants till they strike root in the ground. Quaere, the name ? " — 

 Ans. The plant is the Bryophyttuni calycinum, Salisbury ; the Preparations are 

 now numbered 2225 A, B and C, and are described in my ' Physiological Catalogue,' 

 vol. iv. 1838, p. 8.] 



8 [A curious exemplification of Hunter's devotion to truth, even where he imme- 

 diately contradicts himself. His preparations illustrative of this property of the 

 Willow are Nos. 2224 2225.] 



