ANIMALCULA OF INFUSIONS. 



L 



the want of connexion in fentiment, from the 

 want of a necelTary and laudable perfpicuity, or 

 becaufe they are difcordant with more recent 

 difcoveries. 



A certain vegetative power fome have conceiv- 

 ed to refide in matter, appropriated to the forma- 

 tion and regulation of organifed exigence ; that 

 by it are the numberlefs combinations of the ani- 

 mal machine effeded ; the operation of nutrition 

 and perfpiration, the variety of conftitution, the 

 animal appetites and dim.enfions of the human 

 frame. By the fame means has it been explain- 

 ed why a blind or a maimed perfon may have 

 children vigorous and entire ; becaufe the vege- 

 tative power will reftore to them the members 

 defective in the parent. 



Not only has it been fuppofed to be deftined 

 for the organization of matter in animated be- 

 ings, but that it might change an animal to the 

 vegetable ftate, and the vegetable again to an 

 animal ; that it afts on plants while living, and 

 when dead regenerates them in new beings; 

 thefe are the animalcula of infufions, which 

 cannot ftriaiy be called animals, but beings 

 fimply vital. 



One proof adduced in fupport of this hypo- 

 thefis, is derived from th. origin o animalcula. 

 We are told they muft either come from fpecific 

 feeds, or be produced by the vegetative power ; 



that 



