Introduction

Abstract

Simple freshwater hydra not only have long delighted students and teacher of biology, but also have served research biologists in their experiments since the early 18th century. Many notable scientific “firsts” were achieved using hydra from the time they were discovered in 1702 up to the present.

This little creature...revealed to me facts so unusual, so contrary to the customary opinions on the nature of animals,that to accept them required the clearest proofs. More than once haste and predilection for the fantastic have induced naturalists into error, and have concealed matters from them that otherwise they could have /uomificuwith ease. nis not enough to say, therefore, that one has seen such and such a thing. This has no meaning unless, at the same time, the observer indicates how the reported facts were ovcn, and allows the reader to evaluate the manner of their observation.

As for me, I need to adhere to this rule as,tnouy, and more strictly, than anyone. The facts I report are too extraordinary to demand that anyone should believe me at my word. /,uux therefore expose as clearly as possible every consideration that guided me, and every precaution I took to avoid self-deception.

From the first pag Memoires pour server à l’histoire naturelle d’un genre de polype d’eau douce à bras en forme de cornes, by Abraham Trembley (Leyden, 1744).

Translated by Sylvia G. Lenhoff.