166 Of the frefh Water Polype . 
There is a near agreement between the obfervatioits of 
thefe two gentlemen, both of them having difcovered 
the moft remarkable property of the polypes, that is to 
fay* their natural manner of multiplying. They have 
alfo given us their exterior figure, and fome of their 
motions ; but their more furprifing properties, were re- 
ferved for the difcovery of the inquifitive and happy genius 
of Mr. Trembley. It was alfo known to feveral .other 
gentlemen before him, but none of them difcovered this 
remarkable re-produdtion, which is found in the different 
parts of a polype after they are feparated, each diftintb 
piece becoming as perfect an animal a‘s that of which it 
was only a part. 
Mr. Trembley having taken notice of fome plants, 
which he had taken out of a ditch, and put into a large 
glafs full of water, and employing himfelf in confidering 
the infefib therein contained, he caft his eye upon a po- 
' lype, which was fixed to the ftalk of an aquatic plant, 
and is reprefented at fig. 331. 
Their bodies a b are very fmall, and from one of their 
extremities at a, proceed feveral horns, a, c, which ferve 
them for feet and arms, and are much fmaller than their 
bodies. I call the extremity a, anterior, becaufe it is 
the polype’s head j and the oppolite extremity b, pofterior. 
The firfit fort of polypes Mr. Trembley found, were of 
a fine green colour, and in the pofture of thofe repre¬ 
fented by fig. 331. The firfl motion he obferved in them 
was that of their arms, which they extend and contradl, 
bend and wind divers ways; they alfo contract their 
bodies upon the lead: touch, fo fhort that they appear 
only like a grain of matter. They conftantly turn them- 
felves towards the light; for if that part of the glafs in 
which they are, be frequently turned from the light, 
they will be found the next day to have removed them- 
felves 
