Tales of animals, comprising quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles and insects / by Peter Parley ; with numerous engravings on wood.

  • Parley, Peter
Date:
1837
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Tales of animals, comprising quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles and insects / by Peter Parley ; with numerous engravings on wood. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    absorption of fluids, and distention by moisture, are well known, and of great importance. It is collected from rocks, in water five or six fathom deep, chiefly by divers, who, after much practice, become extremely expert in obtaining it. POLYPES Are found in clear waters, and may generally be seen in small ditches and trenches of fields, especially in the months of April and May. They affix themselves to the under parts of leaves, and to the stalks of such vegetables as happen to grow immersed in the same water; and they feed on the various species of small worms, and other aquatic animals that happen to approach. Two Polypes may occasionally be seen in the act of seizing the same worm at different ends, and dragging it in opposite directions with great force. It sometimes hap- pens, that, while one is swallowing its respective end, the other is also employed in the same manner; and thus they continue swallowing each his part until their mouths meet. They then rest for some time in this situation, till the worm breaks between them, and each goes off with his share. But when the mouths of both are thus joined together upon one common prey, a more singular combat now and then ensues. The largest Polype gapes and swallows his antagonist: but what is extremely wonderful, the animal thus swallowed seems to be the gainer by the misfortune: after it has lain in the conqueror’s body for about an hour it issues unhurt, and often in possession of the prey that had been the original cause of contention. But the most astonishing particular respecting this ani- mal is, that if a Polype be cut in pieces, it is not destroyed, but is multiplied by dissection; it may be cut in every direction that fancy can suggest, and even into very minute divisions, and not only the parent stock will remain unin-
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