C l, 9 3 
This Difcovery was and is very furprifing to all out 
Virtuofo’s, and really not believed, until the Pro- 
fefiors Albinas and Mujfenbrock were provided with 
the Animals, and, after having well examined this 
Creature, found the Prodigy of increaling itfelf in 
that wonderful Manner, very true. 
One of the Gentlemen that made this Difcovery 
was Mr. Allemand , a Man of great Learning and 
Ingenuity, Tutor to the Sons of Mr. sGravenfande. 
There 
The firft Account given to the Royal Society, of this furprifing 
Property of the fore-mentioned Infedt, was in a Letter from Monjjeur 
Huffing of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris , and F. R. S. to 
Martin Folkes, Efq; now our Prefidentj his Letter bears Date the 
1 8th of July 1741. N. S. and was communicated to the Society at 
their next Meeting on the 29th of October following ; and therein Mon- 
feur Bujfon acquaints Mr. Folkes of Two very fingular Obfervations 
lately made in Natural Hiftory the Firft of a fmall fort of Bug, which 
produces its Like fomewhat after the Manner of Plants, and without 
Copulation i the other of a fmall Infedt called a Polypus, which is found 
fticking to the common Duck-weed , and which, being cut in two, puts 
out from the upper Part a Tail, and from the lower a Head, fo as to 
become Two Animals inftead of One^ befides which, when cut in 
Three, the middlemoft Part puts out from one End a Head, and from 
the other a Tail, fo as to become Three Animals, all living like the 
firft, and performing the Offices of their Specie. Both which Obfer- 
vations Mr. Buffon fays were well averred. 
Mr. Folkes alfo at the fame time communicated another Letter he 
had received from theHon blc Charles Bentinck, Efq,at the Hague, dated 
the 15th of the foregoing September, wherein it isfaid, That a young 
Gentleman of Geneva, then in Holla?id , whofe Name we fince learn 
to be Monfieur du Tremblay , had found in Water, wherein he was look- 
ing for Infedts, fome fmall things he at firft took for Plants, till, on a 
further Examination, he perceived them to move, and to contradt them- 
felves on their being touched nor could he at firft think them to be 
Animals, by rcafon of feveral young Shoots he found to come out from 
them, and to hang upon one another as far as the fourth Generation : 
He was, however, at laft fatisfied they were Infedts, and that they preyed 
upon others, and would even eat raw Flefh. They fixed themfelves, 
F f 2 be 
