[ 8o6 ] 
ceous bodies), is formed likewife by a polyp, from 
which the nucleus feems to be the ultimate hate. 
And I further fubmit, whether this concamerated 
(hell, or body, of which the belemnites is only the 
habitation, does not appear a ftrong voucher for this 
new hypothecs, by more immediately leading us in- 
to the connexion and manner of generation (perhaps 
particular to the teftaceous tribe) by remaining with- 
in its nidus all its life ; whereas the generality quit 
them fo foon as they are able to fhift for themfelves. 
The polyp is an animal of the vermicular kind ; 
the bodies of fome are long and flender, like a fine 
finew or fibre, extremely tender ; and from the head 
proceeds a variety of claws, or arms, with which it 
catches its food, and prepares its habitation, or 
chryfalis. They are without doubt of various fhapes 
and textures, according (as I fuppofe) to the fpecies 
of the animal that is hereafter to proceed from 
them * ; and very wonderful it is, how fo fmall, fo 
delicate an animal, fhould be capable of forming fo 
large a body as the belemnites ! but is not every par- 
ticular performance of nature equally the fame to a 
diligent inquirer? fo that I conceive the lefs caufe 
againft this opinion ; more efpecially as late authors 
have pretty clearly demonftrated, that corals of much 
greater magnitude are conftrudted by them. Some 
animals in the terreftrial part of the creation, natu- 
rally affociate and herd together. Others again feek 
* Mr. Henry Baker, F. R. S. has very ingenioufly delineated a 
great variety of fpecies of them, in his treatifes on the polyp, and 
upon the microfcope obferved in frefh water. 
folitude> 
