[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915) › c8.8 # The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus c8.8 The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus c8.8 - **Language:** English ### [c8.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915.c8.8) The a-sexually generated animals, as we have seen, are also called \*Kṣudrajantus\* (\*lit.\* small animals). Pâtañjali in the \*Mahâbhâṣya\* gives several alternative definitions (or descriptions) of this class of animals. They are defined (1) as animals without bones, अनस्थिकाः क्षुद्रजन्तवः; or (2) as animals that do not possess any blood of their own, येषां स्वं शोणितं नास्ति ते क्षुद्रजन्तवः; or (3) as numbering more than a thousand in a palmful, \*i.e.\* minute in size; or (4) as not easily crushed; or (5) as comprehending all animals up to the ichneumon (in the animal series), अथवा नकुलपर्य्यन्ताः क्षुद्रजन्तवः—\*Mahâbhâṣya\*, 2-4-1. - [Previous: c8.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915.c8.7) - [Next: c8.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915.c8.9) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915.c8) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915.c8.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.seal-1915.c8.8) · Pramāṇa