IV. AND REVIVED. | 16g 
ing a permanent abode. ‘They are not the only 
animals, however, that enjoy the privilege of re- 
furrection ; others alfo poflefs it: among thelfe, 
the celebrated eels of blighted corn deferve to be 
particularly mentioned. All the world knows 
that Mr Needham is the author of this famous 
difcovery. Examining the internal furface of 
blighted corn, he faw with agreeable furprife that 
it was compofed of minute eels, which, on being 
wet, acquired motion, and gave certain indica- 
tions of life. Their immediate refurrection, as 
he has obferved, takes place when the ears are 
gathered ftill frefh and humid: if they have been 
gathered fome time, and have loft their humidi- 
ty, maceration is neceflary ; nor will this always 
be fufficient for refurrection ; it is even requifite 
that the eels remain a given time in the water. 
When allowed to dry, they become motionlefs, 
and recover life on humectation. But what chiefly 
furprifed the author of the difcovery was, after 
having preferved the blighted corn for two years 
and more, the fame phenomena were obferved 
anew when it was wet. 
The fact was too wonderful for others not to 
endeavour to afcertain it. It has been corrobor- 
ated by feveral good obfervers, fuch as the il. 
luftrious tranflator of Mr Needham’s work, where 
this difcovery is fpoken of (1); by the Count 
Ginnani 
(1) Nouvelles Obfervations Microcopiques, 
