[ r °8 3 
When the polypus chufes to fpread itfelf out, it 
opens the cover, and out of its neck (Fig. H. s , .<■,) 
thrufts an ample probofeis, (Fig. H. g,) which is in 
the fhape of a cup ; and with this it probably takes 
its food. There are two little mufcles (Fig. H. a , a } ) 
at the lower part of this probofeis, which are at- 
tached to the cover. 
When the animal returns into its nich, the pro- 
bofeis links into itfelf; and the animal, by contract- 
ing itfelf, draws back the cover ; and thus the cel- 
lule is perfectly clofed, and the creature fecure in its 
retreat. 
However, all the polypi of this plant do not enjoy 
this conveniency and fecurity, but only the adults; 
that is, thole, which dwell about the branches. As 
for the others, that are not as yet adult, and live 
and lodge on the tops of the branches, (Fig. B. r, ?i y 
and D. n , a%) they have no covers ; and a coniiderable 
number of them dwell in imperfeCt cells, or in fuch 
as are finithed but in part, (Fig. D. t y t,) and made 
of a fort of cartilaginous and membranaceous mate- 
rials. The imperfection of thefe cellules, and the 
weak confidence of the pafte, which forms them, af- 
forded me a plain proof, that the cellules are the 
work of the polypi , as the niches, wherein they lodge, 
are made by fome fhell-fifh. 
XV. 
