i 5 6 



Microscopical Essays. 



They are preferred belt in large glaffes, that hold three or four 

 quarts of water; for in a glafs of this fize the water need not be 

 renewed fo often, particularly if the faeces are taken out from 

 time to time with the feathered end of a pen, to which it readily 

 adheres ; and further, the trouble of feeding each individual is in 

 fome meafure faved, as you need only throw in a parcel of 

 worms, and let the polypes divide them for themfelves. 



To obferve with accuracy the various habitudes, pofitions, &c. 

 of this little animal, it will be neceffary to place fome of them in 

 narrow cylindrical glafles ; then, by means of the microfcope, 

 Fig. 3, Plate VI. you may obferve it exerting all it's a£Hons v of life 

 w T ith eafe and convenience ; the facility with which the lens of 

 the fore-mentioned microfcope may be moved and placed in 

 any direction, renders it a moft convenient inftrument for ex- 

 amining any objecl that requires to be viewed in water. 



It is'alfo very proper to dry fome of them, and place them be- 

 tween talcs in a Aider ; this however requires fome dexterity, and a 

 little practice ; tho' when executed with fuccefs, it fully rewards 

 the pains of the obferver. Chufe a proper polype, and put it in a 

 fmall concave lens, with a drop of water ; when it is extended, 

 and the tail fixed, pour off a little of the water, and then plunge 

 it with the concave into fome fpirit of wine contained in the bowl 

 of a large fpoon ; by this it is inftantly killed, the arms and body 

 contraaing more or lefs ; rub it gently, while in fpirits, with a 

 fmall hair pencil, to cleanfe it from the lice* 



The difficulty now begins ; for the parts of the polype, on 

 being taken out of the fpirits, immediately cling together, fothat 



it 



