S8 ANIMALCULA OF INFUSIONS. L 



place, becaufe the fize of germs is proportioned 

 to the fize of animalcula, as I have feen in more 

 than one fpecies ; and, on the other hand, the 

 lower animalcula, confidered in themfelves, be- 

 ing of fome fenfible fize, fo fhould their germs be 

 of fome fenftble fize, fuch, at lead, as prevents 

 them from penetrating glafs ; particularly when 

 we know, that other corpufcula apparently more 

 minute, as the particles of air and water, of the 

 mofl acute and penetrating odour, cannot do 

 it (i). In thtfecond place, thefe animalcula are 

 produced not only in glafs, but even in metal 

 velfels fealed with metal, immerfed above half an 

 hour in boiling vv^ater, as I have twice had occa- 

 fion to experience, notwithflanding the greater 

 narrownefs of the pores, or more irregular and 

 tortuous pofition, made it impoiTible to conceive 

 the germs would penetrate the fides of the metal. 

 Finallv, Was the hypothecs true, animalcula of 

 the lower clafs fhould originate equally well, 

 whatever is the duration of boiling ; for, in both 

 cafes, the palTage of the germs through the fides 

 of the velfel fliould be equally fuccefsful. On 

 the contrary, not one appears after bailing three 

 quarters of an hour. 



Thus we are led to afcribe their origin to in- 

 cluded germs, which for a limited time can refift 



the 



( I ) Academ. del Clip., 



