130 ANIMALCULA OF INFUSIONS. H 



mal no longer moves, or does fo very flowly. 

 Propagation is operated by a tranfverfe divifion 

 in two. The feparation is flow, and attended 

 with one fingularity, that, before being fully ac- 

 compliflied, each portion is as large as the whole, 

 and, in the place of divifion, has acquired points 

 fimilar to thofe of the old animal, but fhorter. 



The other fpecies, which mufh not be overlook- 

 ed, is found in an infulion of marfli-lentil, and 

 is fometimes fo large as to be vifible without the 

 microfcope. By filling a thin fided chryflal tube, 

 and placing it in the fun, the animalcula are fo 

 confpicuous to the obferver's eye, that the fuc- 

 cefTive divifions may be eafily feen. Other ellip- 

 tic animalcula are obferved with the contradion 

 fcarcely begun, fome with it far advanced, and 

 others with it almofl completed. The multipli- 

 cation is fo abundant, that a fmgle animalcule, 

 at certain times at lead, will, in a few days, people 

 a whole infufion. 



I have {fill to fpeak of longitudinal divifion, 

 for that is alfo a way in which animalcula propa- 

 gate. Thofe with the filament, already mention- 

 ed, divide longitudinally ; but the eafier to un- 

 underftand how it is effeded, we muft firfl de- 

 fcribe the animalcule. On prefenting a drop of 

 infufion to the microfcope, animalcula are feen 

 among the vegetable fragments, fome attached 

 to panicles of matter, and others wandering free- 



