i98^j LE(2r§BETXlI. 
w^th gr^t eagerness, but sw'^llows it slowjy, in 
same- manner as a snake swallows any small 
druped^ The arms of a Polype, when microsco*> 
pically, examined, are found to bear a general re* ^ 
semblance to those of the Sepias or Cuttle-Fishes, ' 
being furnished with a^ast number of small or- f 
gans, which seem to act as so many suckers or aee« 
tabula, by winch means the animal can hold a 
worm, eveiig though but slightly in contact with 
one ef its arms j but when on the point of swat- 
lowing its prey, it then makes use of all the arms 
at once, in order the more readily to absorb it. 
The number of Zoophytes is extremely great, a 
and the msyor part are of an appearance so much 
resembling vegetables, that they have been gene- 
rally considered as such j though the horny anda 
stony appearance of several of the tribe, at first' 
view declare them to be of a widely different na- 
ture from the generality of plants. In others 
however the softness of their substance, and their 
ramified manner of growth, would immediately 
lead any one unacquainted with their real nature 
to suppose them vegetables. The hard, horny, or 
stony Zoophytes are in general known by the 
name of Corals ; and of these there are several ge- 
