34 SEMINAL VERMICULY) 136 
On the other hand, as the heat of fummer néar- 
er than that of any other feafon approaches what 
the vermiculi experience in us, we clearly fee why 
they then live longer in the open air than at any 
other time: and for the fame reafon we may under: 
ftand why life is abridged in proportion as the 
cold increafes. 
But it is time to come to the objection of heat 
and cold which the author thus propofes. On 
expofing the femen to the cold air, the vermicu- 
li did not feem to fuffer from it. They continued 
moving with their ufual quicknefs as long as 
thofe not expofed, though the fluid had acquired 
that degree of cold in water on the point of 
freezing, as one might be convinced by touching 
it. On the contrary, if the fame vermiculi fuffer 
heat, their motion ceafes, although the heat is 
moderate. In confequence of thefe fats, if the 
vermiculi are real animals (I am relating Buffon’s 
reafoning) they will exhibit an appearance 
and conftitution very different from the appear 
ance and conftitution of other animals; as too 
much cold relaxes and deftroys motion; whereas 
mild and moderate heat preferves it. 
We mutt regret that our author, inftead of 
ufing taction to judge of heat or cold, did not 
employ a thermometer; for all philofophers 
know the touch is a very equivocal proof. He 
ought to have difcovered precifely at what degree 
of 
