FRESH-WATER POLYPE. 6l 7 
to it in the whole range of animated nature. If a 
polype be turned inside out like a glove, it will 
live and act as before. The lining or coating of 
the stomach now forms the skin, and the former 
skin now constitutes the coating of the stomach. 
A polype thus turned may often have young ones 
attached to its side. When this happens they must 
of course be inclosed in the stomach, and as they 
increase in size, they stretch towards the mouth of 
the parent, that they may escape when separated 
from the body. Sometimes, while very small, they 
turn themselves inside out, and thus avoid the ne- 
cessity of creeping through the mouth. 
Thus we have noticed the most striking particu- 
lars in the natural history of this singular creature ; 
and when we consider the various properties this 
little animated lump of jelly is capable of exerting, 
we are lost in astonishment. In this particular in- 
stance, man may be said to exercise at pleasure a 
kind of creative power. He can out of one life make 
two, each completely formed with all its apparatus 
and functions, each with its perceptions and powers 
of motion and self-preservation, each as complete in 
all respects as that from which it derived its exist- 
ence, and equally enjoying the humble gratifica- 
tions of its nature. We are aware that many who 
read the account of these very singular animals, 
without having had an opportunity of ascertaining 
the truth of our relation, will be inclined to doubt 
the whole : but let it be remembered, that the most 
