Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-05-20
HroD, Ae Lond y LiterdrY Gazette.
NEW DISCOVERED ANIMAL. :.

80, tie Hydra Of the ancient, not Fabuzousn
The following account of paper read at late
meeting of the Electic Society," will, certain DO
read with much interest and surprise In truth it al
most realizes the tabled hydra of the ancents: Mr.
Frost in the Chair. After the routine of buainess
DR.. James Rawlins Johnston read his paper on the
Panaria torva. Phe learned Doctor stated that his
attention had been called to these singular animals by
observing parts wanting In some and in others such
variety of appearance might have justified an mat
tsnve observer in surprising that they of differ.
ent species. The Planaria are found neGs the Red,
house, Battersea, and of dirty brown black color
they vary in length from third to half inch and
have some resemblance to leech. They have two
eyes, placed like the eyes of sole; they have two adj
dominal apertures; one by which they feed is situated
about the place of the uInbGcus Ia land animals
even lower, which is very extraordinary; the other
the anal opening, situated little distance bolow
the former. They feed by of trumpet shaped
proboscis, which is protrued and bears strong
blance to the trunk of an elephant. Dr. J, having first
indicated himself from the charge Of cruelty, by
showing that animals very low in the scale of being
almost, IL not quite exempt from the of pain
proceeded to state the results OF his experiment He
cut off tho head of full sized Planari, below the
eyes, new head reproduced in few days, varying
from nine to fourteen He of this second head;
one again regenerated: third fourth, fifth
and sixth experiment met with the success, and
the Doctor is Of opinion, that if the cold weather
(Which is unfavorabe to these creatures) had n2 ser
in, any number of heads might haye been produced
from the Same body. In one of these experiments 4
head formed with but eye and that in the
centre He next made longitudinal incisen in anoth-
or Panara between the eyes and ncision at right
angles with IT, thus cutting off half the head together
with Of the eyes in about fourteen days the piece
reproduced with u neR eye in the most perfect
symmetry The Doctor divided another Planaria into
three equal portions transversely tho head speedily
acquired body and tail, tho tail produced new
body and head and the middle piece RECLAIMED pcv
head and tail
Ifo divided many other Planaria into six and evun
eight parts each portion retained it's vitality, and set
about reproducing much of new body was re.
CURED to restore it 70 form of the perfect animal of
which it formed once component part. The Doctor
dissected Yedgeshapd pieces out of the heads of both
IS most curious occurredthat according the depth
and breadth of these wedge shaped incisons, nevu
eye would be supplied making four eyes; or if tho
ncisions were very deep, then, instead of q neg
piece being supplied, the parts would divarcaie, and
for two perfect heads Phe limits Of this report pr5
clGoo many important and curious matters relating to
this wonderful little animal.-Fhe Doctor Concluded
By stating, t it is his intention renew his inguirica
in tie approaching season. and that ne had reason for
believing he should be able to discover other circunI
stancesn the history Of Planaria no less interesting
thcr foregoing On the table woro two living
double aeaded Planarla The meeting adjourned until
the L. Tuesday n NRoh, which is the anniversary o,