has been queftioned by Tome Naturalifts, yet the accu¬ 
rate refearch of Swammerdam has fufficiently proved 
their real nature, and that they are furnifhed with near¬ 
ly the fame humours, coats, and vefTels as in molt of 
the larger animals. Some authors have fuppofed the 
horns to be a kind of natural telefcopes, and that the 
animal fhortened or lengthened them according to the 
diftance of the objects to which it directed them; but 
this idea feems to imply a more complicated ftrudture 
than can be found in this organ, and, I believe, mult 
be given up as one of thofe ingenious hypothefes W'hich 
are too frequently entertained by fpeculative enquirers. 
The teeth of the Snail are fharp and ftrong, and all 
the internal as well as external parts of the creature 
are admirably calculated by Nature for the mode of life 
to which it is dellined. 
But the moft wonderful part of the hiftory of the 
Snail, is its manner of breeding; and I mull requell 
my readers to fummon all their philofophical faith to 
receive the furpriiing particulars. 
If the obfervations of the moll profound enquirers 
into the operations of Nature amongll the lower orders 
of animals may be depended upon, the amours of Snails 
are conducted in a manner very different from thofe of 
moll other creatures, and are always preceded by a ve¬ 
ry extraordinary ceremonial, which has all the appear¬ 
ance of a regular combat. 
When thefe animals are difpofed to love, they figni- 
fy their mutual willies by launching feveral little darts 
at each other. Thefe darts are of a very lharp form, 
and of a horny fubllance, and the animals are provided 
with 
i 
