ANIMAL REPRODUCTIONS. 394 
of the fnail. When the fibres of an organifed 
body are indurated to a certain degree, they are 
no longer fufceptible of extenfion; there is a 
term beyond which the elements of the folids 
cannot glide along ‘each other. This refult 
affords an opportunity of obferving, that it 
evidently concurs in proving the part to be ac- 
tually a new organic whole, which expands on 
the old one, and is in a manner ingrafted on it. 
In another treatife, I have infifted much .on the 
point. 
Perhaps this Memoir may be followed by an- 
other, containing the fequel of my experiments. 
L intend to diverfify them greatly, and thus give 
birth to new fads by new combinations. But if 
muft be remembered, that all which it is m my 
power to do, will even be infinitely inferior to 
what the public may expe from the learning, 
ability, and induftry of the celebrated Reggian 
philofopher. No naturalift has equally enriched 
the hiftory, fo new and interefting, of Jnfujion Ani- 
malcula and Animal Reproductions ; and 1 may 
prediét, that his account of the generation of 
animals and vegetables, will not be lefs valuable. 
How impatiently would the admirers of natural 
hiftory expect thefe new fruits of the indefatiga- 
ble obferver’s labour, did they know, as I do, 
the important and unexpected truths which they 
eontain, 
‘Bba MEMOIR 
