12^ ANIMALCULA OF INFUSIONS. L 



ten retain the former velocity of the compofing 

 whole. It particularly merits obfervation, that the 

 fize of the two animals, while actually dividing, is 

 fo much augmented, that each is almoft equal to 

 the original, of which I have had undoubted evi- 

 dence, by comparing each portion with one en- 

 tire of the fame fize and fpecies as that divided. 

 The animalcula from thefe divifions being alfo 

 ifolated, fimilar young are continually produced 

 by divifions and fubdivifions. 



Among thofe dividing tranfverfely are fome 

 generations, (like the elliptic kind, pointed be- 

 fore, fometimes originating in wheat infufions, 

 and rather large) whofe anterior part is provided 

 with fhort fibrilli in conftant motion. The vor- 

 tex afcribed by M. De Sauifure to the fecond 

 fpecies of his animalcula, is certainly produced 

 by this motion ( i ) ; but acute vifion and a pow- 

 erful magnifier are neceifary to difcover the vor- 

 tex and fibrilli (2). Neither the vibration nor 



vortex 



( 1 ) Muller difputes the corre(ftnefs of this obfervation. 

 Vortex, quern animalculum, cujus meminit, claris. Sauf- 

 fure ex infufione cannabis, partitioni intentum ciet, non, 

 uti autumat illuftris Spallanzani, vibratione pilorum, cum 

 lis careat Kolpodaque generis fit, fed totius corporis agita- 

 tioni debetur, AnunaL Infus. p 246 — T. 



(2) There are few microfcopic obje(5ts fo difficult to 

 difcern accurately as the vibrating fibrilli of feme animal- 

 cula. Their extreme minutenefs, their continual motion 



and 



