Of the Proteus . . 263 
Side, with a fomewhat flow but equable 
Motion, like that of a Snake, frequently 
extending thrice the Length of its Body, 
and feemingly in Search of Food. Fig . 2, 
attempts to (hew it as thus defcribed, but 
is unable to exprefs the curious Turn and 
Elegance of its Shape. 
I could difcern no Eyes, nor any Opening 
like a Mouth in what appears to be the Head ; 
but its Actions plainly prove it an Animal 
that can fee ; for notwithftanding Multi¬ 
tudes of different Animalcules were fwim- 
ming about in the fame Water, and its own 
progreflive Motion was very fwift, it never 
ftruck againft any of them, but directed its 
Courfe between them, with a Dexterity 
wholly unaccountable, fhould we fuppofe it 
deftitute of Sight. 
This Creature feemed to me fo extraor¬ 
dinary, I could not forbear calling all my Fa¬ 
mily to fee it. And after having viewed it 
by the fourth Magnifier , that being the Glafs 
1 was uflng when I fir ft difcovered it, we 
were very deflrous to examine it more ftricft- 
ly by enlarging it ftill more. Being there¬ 
fore obliged to fhift the Glafs, which took up 
fome little Time, I loft my Animal as unac¬ 
countably as I had found it; all the Search I 
could make, for Half an Hour at leaft, being 
unable todifcover any Thing bearing the leaft 
Refemblance to it : tho’ I replaced the Glafs 
| liad employed before, and carefully traveF 
3 4 4 let} 
