I, ANIMALCULA OF INFUSIONS. 



127 



ceeds both in fpherical and elliptical animalcula, 

 and in forae other fpecies without either beak or 

 hook. For the purpofe of correct obfervation, I 

 ifolate an animalcule in a watch-glafs. If the 

 weather is warm, traces of contradion are vifible 

 about the middle of the two fides; it infenfibly 

 advances ; and the animalcule fomewhat refembles 

 a blown bladdert tied tight acrofs. It fcill fwims 

 about, darting its head among the particles of 

 matter, if any are in the glafs. The contradtion 

 continues increafmg ; and the animalcule is at laft 

 changed into two fpherules touching in one 

 point, Plate i. Fig. i, ABC. Thefe conned- 

 ed fpheres continue moving as the entire animal 

 did, but they often flop. The pofterior fpherule 

 feems to be earned on by the weight of the ante- 

 rior, and appears to have no fpontaneous motion 

 of its own, but what is neceffary for feparatioii 

 from its companion. This at length is done, and 

 of one animalcula, two are formed. At firft, 

 they are apparently unable to move ; however, 

 each foon refumes the velocity of the original 

 whole. The fpherules in time acquire the fize 

 of the entire animal. 



Though all the fpecies dividing tranfverfely 

 feparate into two equal halves, thefe parts are not 

 uniformly fpherical, but more or lefs elliptic 

 when very near divifion : Nor are the new ani- 

 palcula always torpid and inadive, for they of- , 



te;^ 



