Of Cluftering Polypes . 343 
cite in the Water to hurry the Prey into the 
Mouth of the Animal, which Hands open to 
receive it; then by fhutting the Operculum 
down immediately all Efcape is prevented. 
After a little while the Operculum is lifted up 
again leifurely, and in Readinefs for another 
Capture. 
When the Operculum is drawn down the 
Fibrillre are no longer difcoverable, and the- 
Ligament whereby the opening and fhutting 
is performed appears in a flaccid relaxed 
State, as at a . 
One of the two magnified Figures in the 
Plate reprefents the Animal with its Mouth 
open and the Cover up, as it appears when 
hungry ; the other Chews the Cover drawn 
down after it has feized its Prey 
Having defcribed thefe feveral Sorts of 
Cluftering Polypes , (and I make no Doubt 
there are many other Species and Varieties 
of them unknown to us at prefent) I proceed 
to confider their prodigious and fpeedy Pro¬ 
pagation and Increafe, the Manner whereof 
is no lefs furprizing than all the other Par¬ 
ticulars relating to them : and as to this Af¬ 
fair (though I have obferved them many 
Times myfelf with much Attention) I fhall 
chufe to lay before the Reader what Difco- 
* I never had been fo lucky myfelf as to meet with this 
Species of Tracer Animals, but am obliged to Mr. Arderon , 
(on whofe Judgment and Fidelity I can depend intirely) for 
the Figures and Account thereof. 
Z 4 
veries 
