8 yihETTEKtO 



and only iranfiently make mention here of 

 them and their Increafe, as fome Proof that 

 I have not formed Conclufions from fingle 

 Inilances, or wanted fufficient Numbers 

 whereon to ground the Obfervations and Ex- 

 periments I am halting to lay before you. 



In truth, from the Time I firfl: had any of 

 theie Creatures, I have been examining them 

 daily, both with and without the Help of 

 Glafies, and have attended with the llrideft 

 Care to all their little Motions, Contractions, 

 Extenfions, and different Poftures, as well 

 as to their more extraordinary Properties, 

 that I might thereby be enabled to give fome 

 reafonable Account of their Strudure and 

 Difpofition. 



Could, Sir, your other Cares and En- 

 deavours for the Improvement of Natural 

 Knowledge, by your Correfpondence with 

 learned Men both at Home and Abroad, and 

 your hearty and unwearied Attention to the 

 Concerns of the Royal Society, have permit- 

 ted you to go on with and give a farther Ac- 

 count of your own Experiments, mine had 

 never prefum'd to think of appearing pub- 

 lickly; but fmce you was obliged to decline 

 theTafk (which nobody elfe amongfl us, that I 

 know of, has undertaken ) and have been pleased 

 to affift me with your Obfervations from 

 time to time, as well as to take the Trouble 

 of examining and confidering mine ; I am in 

 hopes thefe Attempts may have fome little 



Merit: 



