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XXX. Account of an extraordinary Pbeafant , 
By Mr. John Hunter, F. R. S. 
Read June s, 1780, 
• \ 
TT VERY deviation from that original form and ftruo 
J — J ture which gives the diftinguifhing character to 
the productions of nature may not improperly be called 
monftrous. According to this acceptation of the term, 
the variety of monfters will be found to be infinite. As 
far as my knowledge has extended, there is not a fingle 
fpecies of animal, nay there is not a fingle part of an 
animal body, which is not fubject to extraordinary for- 
mation. Nor does this appear to be a matter of mere 
chance; for it may be obferved, that each animal has a 
difpofition to deviate from nature in a manner peculiar 
to itfelf. It is likewife worthy of remark, that each fpe- 
cies of animal is difpofed to have the fame kinds of fu- 
pernumerary parts, and nearly the fame kinds of defeats; 
but every part is not, perhaps, fubject to a great variety 
of forms, each part of each fpecies having its monftrous 
4 form. 
