Microscopical Essays. 



were into a new world, and become acquainted not only with a. 

 few unknown animals, but with numerous fpecies thereof, which 

 are fo lingular in their formation and habits, that without the 

 cleareft proofs even their exiftenee would not be credited ; and 

 while they afford frefh inftances of the Creator's power, they alfo 

 give further proofs of the limits and weaknefs of the human 

 underftanding. 



Directions for finding, feeding, and preserving 



the Polypes. 



Thefe little animals are to be found upon all forts of aquatic 

 plants, upon branches of trees, pieces of board, rotten leaves,, 

 ftones, and other fubfiances that lie in the water ; they are alfo to 

 be found upon the bodies of feveral aquatic animals, as on the 

 water-fnail, on feveral s pecies of the monoculus, &c they gene- 

 rally fix themfelves to thefe by their tail, fo that it is a very good 

 method when you are in fearch of polypes, to take up a great 

 many of thefe fubfiances, and put them in a glafs full of water. 

 If there be any polypes adhering to thefe T you will foon perceive 

 them ftretching out their arms, efpecially if the glafs is let ftand 

 ftill for a while without moving it ; for the polypes, which con- 

 tract themfelves on being firft taken out of the water, will foon 

 extend themfelves again when they are at reft. 



They are to be fought for in the corners of ditches, puddles, 

 and ponds, being generally' driven into thefe with the pieces of 

 wood or leaves to which they have attached themfelves. They 

 may, therefore, be fought for in vain at one period, in a place 

 where at another you {hall find them in abundance. They are 

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