18 NATURAL HISTORY 



convey to the mind, by any other representation than 

 drawings, a correct idea of the varied forms of these 

 singular beings, for in many instances they appear to 

 have no similarity whatever with any other class of objects 

 in nature 3 J must refer the reader, therefore, to the 

 Plates at the commencement of this work, premising, 

 at the same time, that no pains have been spared in the 

 attempt to produce in them faithful resemblances of these 

 extremely delicate creatures, as they appear under the 

 Microscope. I would not imply by this that the great 

 variety there exhibited are delineated in the full detail of 

 all their curious structures, although in some specimens 

 this has actually been effected : to do it in all would 

 constitute an undertaking far too considerable and ex- 

 pensive to meet the present design ; suffice it, therefore, 

 if enough be accomplished to facilitate our further re- 

 search, and to exhibit on the whole by far the most com- 

 plete collection, and one the nearest approaching to truth, 

 of any that has yet been presented to the public. By 

 a careful inspection of the Drawings, it will be noticed 

 that some animalcules resemble spheres, others are 

 egg-shaped ; others again represent fruits of various 

 kinds ; eels, serpents, and many of the invertebrated 

 animals ; funnels, tops, cylinders, pitchers, wheels, flasks^ 

 &c. &c. ; all of which are found to possess their own 

 particular habits, and to pursue a course of life best 

 adapted to their peculiar constructions: thus, for in- 

 stance, while some move through the water with the 



