x74 Of the frejh Water Polype . 
what may eafily be obferved. If, for example, a polype 
is fixed againft the fides of a glafs, near the fuperficies of 
the water, (on which it intends to go) as at e f, fig. 359. 
in order to convey itfelf thither, it raifes up its an¬ 
terior end, and puts it out of the water, there letting 
it dry, then loofening its pofterior end f, from the 
glafs, draws it up, and puts it above the water, where it 
alfo becomes dry in an inftant, and capable to fupport 
the polype, upon which it draws its anterior end under 
water, and remains fufpended from its furface, as at c 
and b, often extending its body and arms. 
It has been often found neceflary, in the courfe of 
thefe experiments, to fufpend a polype from the furface 
of the water, becaufe they are not always to be found 
fufpended there of themfelves. To effedt which, take in 
one hand an hair-pencil, and in the other a pointed quill, 
or a tooth-pick; with the pencil loofen the polype from 
the glafs, and gradually raife it near the top of the water, 
in fuch a manner, that the anterior end of the polype be 
next the point of the pencilj then lift it out of the water, 
and keep it fo for a moment, nay a minute if you will . 
after which thruft the point of the pencil, together with 
the anterior end of the polype, by little and little under 
the water, until no more than about half the tenth of an 
inch of the polype’s tail remains above its furface 3 at this 
inftant, with the pointed quill, remove that part of the 
polype from the pencil, which is already in the water, 
and at the fame time blowing againft the polype, its tail 
will be alfo loofened, and remain out of the water. 
A polype, that is already fufpended, may be removed 
from a glafs of dirty water, to a clean one with frefh 
water, by endeavouring to place the pencil parallel to the 
polype, and in this pofition to advance it gradually till it 
touches him, he will then apply himfelf againft the pencil, 
and 
