132 ANIMALCULA OF INFUSIONS. T. 



carefully to the fibrilli, it is not difficult to account 

 for the operation. After the largeft fubftances 

 enter the hole or hollow of the animalcule, they 

 are rejefted, but the fmalleft remain ; and there 

 is every reafon to believe they penetrate the body 

 by fome invifibie channel. The intent of the 

 operation is in all likelihood for the animals nutri- 

 ment and prefervation ; the vibrating fibrilli 

 caule a vortex ; the vortex draws in the floating 

 particles; and the animalcule feledts either the 

 mod delicate or what fuits it beft for food. 



Befides the periodical motions we have afcrib- 

 ed to the filaments, there are others peculiar to 

 the animalcule. Whenever the filament con- 

 tracts, the animalcule alfo contracts, fuddenly 

 concealing the hole and fibres within its body;, 

 and alTumes the figure of a fpherule, D. pi. i. 

 fig. 2 : In a few feconds, the filament is extend- 

 ed, and the animalcule becomes like a pear, E ^ 

 then its ordinary Ihape outlined F, and finifhed 

 G.* The fibrilli and hole re-appear ; the vortices 

 recommence when their motion begins, for there, 

 is an entire ceiTation while the animalcule remains, 

 contracted within itfelf. 



I firfl faw thefe animalcula dividing in two in 

 an infuficn of white kidney beans boiled two 

 hours. The anterior part of one feemed lan- 

 guid, which induced me to fufpeft it was going 

 to divide. Two mifhapen animalcuh, attached- 



by- 



