Some papers proper to be read before the R---l Society, concerning the terrestrial chrysipus, golden-foot or guinea; an insect, or vegetable, resembling the polypus, which hath this surprising property, that being cut into several pieces, each piece becomes a perfect animal, or vegetable, as complete as that of which it was originally only a part / Collected by Petrus Gualterus. [Really by H. Fielding] But not published till after his death.

Henry Fielding

Date:: 1743

Credit: Some papers proper to be read before the R---l Society, concerning the terrestrial chrysipus, golden-foot or guinea; an insect, or vegetable, resembling the polypus, which hath this surprising property, that being cut into several pieces, each piece becomes a perfect animal, or vegetable, as complete as that of which it was originally only a part / Collected by Petrus Gualterus. [Really by H. Fielding] But not published till after his death. Source: Wellcome Collection.

18/36 page 16

* deftroyed, but even to the Philo- 4 fopher who hath attempted it: For 4 as fome curious Peribns have, by 4 Flermetic Experiments, endangered c the Lofs of their Teeth, fo we, by 4 a too intenfe Application to this * Chryjipean Philofophy, have been ‘ fometimes found to endanger our 4 Ears.’ He then proceeds thus: * 4 Another Fail, which I have 4 obferved, has proved to me, that 4 they have the Faculty of multi- 4 plying, before they are fever’d from 4 their Parent. I have feen a Chryfepus, 4 ftill adhering, bring forth Young- 4 ones; and thofe Young-ones them- 4 felves have alfo brought forth others. 4 Upon Suppofition, that perhaps 4 there was fome Copulation between 4 the Parent and Young-ones, whilft 4 they were yet united ; or between 4 the Young-ones coming from the 4 Body of the fame Parent: I made 4 divers Experiments, to be fure of 4 the Fadt; but not one of thofe Ex- 4 periments * Remarks, Pag. 7.

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