Microscopical Essays. 



893 



C H A R VIL 



The Natural History of the Hydra, or Fresh-water 



Polype. 



r TH H E polypes defcribed in this chapter are frefti-water 

 infecls, of the genus of hydra, in the clafs of worms, and 

 order of zoophytes. When they are cut or divided into a num- 

 ber of pieces, the feparated parts in a very little time become fo 

 many perfect and diftinct animals ; each piece having a power of 

 producing a head, a tail, and the other organs necefiary for its 

 life and itate. 



They are generally known by the name of polype ; but as 

 this was thought by many to be improper, becaufe that, flrittly 

 fpeaking, they have no feet, Linnasus called the genus hydra, 

 probably from their property of reproducing the parts which are 

 cut off, a circumftance that naturally brings to mind the fabulous 

 {lory of the Lernean hydra. Dr. Hill called them biota, on ac- 

 count of the ftrong principle of life with which every part is 

 endued. 



Leeuwenhoeck, whofe indefatigable induftry in his refearches 

 after fmall infects permitted very few things to efcape his notice, 



3 B difcovered 



