I, ANIMALCULA OF INFUSIONS. '-Z 



that the firfl cannot take place, becaufe they are 

 found in clofe veffels fubje(3:ed to the aclioii of 

 heat, equally as in open veiTels, whereas the in- 

 cluded germs, if there were any, ought not to 

 furvive. Therefore, they mud originate from the 

 vegetative power alone. Nothing has been o- 

 mitted to obtain favourable arguments for this 

 opinion, and to give it that clearnefs, elegance, 

 and fimplicity mod likely to gain converts. 



Nineteen veffels, containing infufed fubflances, 

 were hermetically fealed, and kept an hour in 

 boiling water. Being opened at a proper time, 

 not a fmgle animalcula was to be feen ( i ), To 

 this experiment of mine, it was objefted that the 

 long continuance of heat had perhaps Entirely 

 deftroyed the vegetative power of the infufed 

 fubflances, or materially injured the elafticity of 

 the air remaining included in the veffels ; thus, it 

 was not furprifmg if animalcub did not appear. 



To eflimate the weight of thefe objeftions, I 

 conceived an experiment apparently decifive ; 

 which was, to make pineteen infufions, and boil 

 fome of them a fhort time, others longer, and 

 the reft very long. If it w^as founded, the num- 

 ber of animalcula would be lefs according to the 

 duration of boiling, if not, the number would be 

 alike in all cafes. 



A 2 - Vegetable 



(0 Sagglo di oS^ervazicnl raicrcfcc-ichs. 



