C 
C iv ] 
I know two Species, of which I have fecn fomc 
Individuals extend their Bodies to the Length of an 
Inch and a half ; but this is uncommon. Few are ge- 
nerally found above 9 or 10 Lines long 5 and even 
theie arc of the larger Kind. 
The Body of the Polypus can contract itfelf, fo as 
not to be above a Line, or thereabouts, in Length. 
Both in contracting and extending itfelf, it can (top 
at any Degree imaginable, between that of the greatelt 
Extenfion, and of the greatdt Contra&ion. 
The Length of the Arms of the Polypus differs alfo 
according to the feveral Species : Thofc of one of the 
Species that I know, can be extended to the Length 
of feven Inches at lead. 
The Number of Legs or Arms is not always the 
fame in tins fame Species. One feldom fees in a Po- 
lypus , come to its full Growth, fewer than fix. 
The fame may be faid of the Extenfion, and of the 
Contra&ion of the Arms, which I have faid con- 
cerning the Body. 
The Body and the Arms admit of Inflexion in all 
their Parts, and that in all manner of Ways. 
From the different Degrees of Extenfion, Con- 
traction, and Inflexion, which the Body and the 
Arms of the Polypus admit of, refults a great Va- 
riety of Figures, which they can form themlclves into. 
Thefe Infects do not fwim, they crawl upon all 
the Bodies they meet with in the Water, upon the 
Ground, upon Plants, upon Pieces of Wood, ire. 
Their mod common Pofition is, to fix themfelves 
by their pofterior End B. to fomething, and fo fetch 
their Body and Arms forwards into the Water. 
V < 
They 
