Of the frefh Water Polype . 197- 
And that even before reparation it hath within itfelf 
the principles of fecundity, fince from that time it mul¬ 
tiplies. 
That if this principle is communicated to it by the mo¬ 
ther while they are united, there is no fort of commu¬ 
nication between the head and arms of either. 
Neither is there any communication after this manner 
by another young one, that comes from the fame mo¬ 
ther at the fame time with itfelf. And that if this 
principle of fecundity is within itfelf, it certainly is in an 
imperceptible manner. 
If we have not from hence difcovered how the polypes 
become fruitful, we have at leaf!: learned, that in this 
point they differ from the moll part of known animals, 
and by confequence have made an exception to the ge¬ 
neral rule, that fays, there is no fecundity without co¬ 
pulation. 
After Mr. Trembley had made the foregoing obferva- 
tions, he was ftill farther defirous of finding out, whe¬ 
ther there might not be fome other natural manner of 
their multiplying by flips, as the branches of a tree ; or 
if, on the contrary, this manner of multiplvine: would 
fucceed when they are cut in one or more pans. Mr. 
Trembley hath fecn polypes which have divided them- 
felves into two parts, after which each portion became a 
compleat polype; whereby the fame re-production was 
performed as we have before remarked on cutting thefe 
animals in two. 
What hath been already faid on this head is fufficient 
to {hew, that polypes bear a nearer refemblance to plants 
than animals, yet notwithffanding it is evident that they 
are animals, becaufe they eat and digeff their food. 
Of 
