%, Al^HMALCULA OF INFUSIONS* y^l*' 



I have particularly examined whether animal'' 

 cula were fpecifically different, according to the 

 difference of the feeds infufed and whether each 

 had its peculiar fpecies. Here I have found no 

 uniformity. Certain fpecies only have been 

 found in particular kinds of vegetables ; but it 

 often happens otherwife. Both at different times 

 and different places is there a variety in the ani- 

 malcula of the fame infufion : and it is not un- 

 common in two infufions of feeds, taken from 

 the fame plant, made at the fame time, and kept, 

 in the fame fituation ; a faft which well coincides- 

 with the vaff: variety of animalcular eggs diflemi- 

 nated in the air, and falling every where without 

 any law. 



If we can affirm that all the fpecies, mukiply- 

 ing without any apparent divifion, do fo by means 

 of fome pre-organifed principle, as is mofl: credi- 

 ble, it muff: be allowed they form a moft intereft- 

 ing part of our animalcula. The other clafs^ 

 I propagating by divifion, and thence called mi" 

 crofcopic polypi, prefent fomething ftill more 

 interefting. What can we think of their origia 

 in infufions ? Doubtlefs they alfo proceed from 

 fome pre-organifed principle : but is that a feed, 

 an egg, or other analogous corpufcle ? If fadts 

 are demanded, I acknowledge we have none ; as. 

 thefe polypi die when deprivi^d of the fluid, nor 

 do they revive when it is reftored, we cannot be- 

 lieve they fall from the air. I have no fenfible 



evidence 



