( 2C)1 ) 



to their bodies in general, fucli as the fkin, bones, Sec. but that it a6led 

 fo powerfully on the lungs of thofe creatures, as to prevent their ref- 

 piration. For, in like manner as noxious vapours do not, i'o far as 

 I know, in any manner injure our flcins, becaufe the moillure of our 

 bodies is continually expelled from the inward parts outwards, 

 through the Ikin to the furface ; and as no particles, either of foul air 

 or common water can be received into tlie body through the fkin, 

 for which reafon it is, that the flefhy parts of fiih or other animals, 

 living in water, however fait it be, do not partake of that faltnefs ; 

 fo mites, the fame'as larger animals, who are kept alive by refpi- 

 ration, die when that refpiration is obftrufted or prevented- And if 

 fo, we have here another inflance of the furprifing order and regu- 

 larity with which all things are created, fliewn in the wonderful for- 

 juation of the mite, which, thougli unknown to many perfons, and, 

 by reafon of its minutenefs, held of no account, does yet appear 

 to me, endowed witli greater perfeftion, and more curioufly formed 

 tJian many larger animals. 



After the preceding obfervations, our Eafl India Fleet arrived, 

 whereupon, 1 became defirous to prociu'e foine of the Nutmegs 

 newly imported, and thofe of the befl and ripefi: ; in order, that if 

 poffible, I might fo far caufe them to vegetate, that I might be con- 

 vinced I faw the young plant in the nut, and miglit alfo be able to 

 take it out from thence. And one of our Ealt India Directors very 

 kindly gave me fornc of the largefl: Nutmegs ; among thefe I per- 

 ceived a few, which, though thoroughly ripe, were infefted with 

 maggots. 



Two of thefe nuts I opened, and out of each I took a thick fliort 

 white maggot, about the fifteenth part of an inch in length, furnillied 

 with fix feet in the fore part of its body, and covered with a great 

 number of long and very flendcr hairs : from the fame nuts I alfo 

 took two or three pellicles or thin fl-iins of different fizes, which appa- 



