XXU INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 



the prefence and direftion of objects. Innume- 

 rable inftances prove, that one fenfe, either in a 

 natural ftate, or well pradifed, may fupply the 

 place of another. 



Thus, apparent fimplicity of organization can 

 neither be an argument for explaining the phe- 

 nomena prefented by animalcula or the fimilar 

 clalTes of animals, fuch as propagation by fhoots 

 or divifion, refufcitation, reparation of the loft 

 parts, as has been fuppofed peculiar to certain 

 animalcula. But with all this apparent fimplici- 

 ty, they poflefs every charafteriftic requifite to 

 entitle an animal to be called a Hving being. A 

 flight inveftigation of their nature is alone fuf- 

 ficient to eftablifh the fad ; for there is fcarcely 

 any phenomenon among known animals, that 

 does not exift among them ; and they exhibit ma- 

 py which feldom or never occur in any other 

 race. 



It is a prevalent opinion, that animalcula may be 

 diicovered in rain water with the microfcope, or 

 in that of the pureft fountain. This is an error. I 

 have never once found them in the courfe of innu- 

 merable obfervations ; and the great animalculift 

 MuLLER himfelf fays, they are very rare. That 

 rhey may exift in thefe fituations, is by no means 

 impoflible : they may be invifible in air, and be- 

 come 



