i ANIMALCDLA OF INFUSION'S. 2t)9 



condenfed and loaded with foreign atoms, be- 

 comes fufceptible of a greater degree of heat by 

 die influence of light or fire. 



In this way, my efteemed friend, do 1 con- 

 ceive the germs of the lower animalcula can 

 withfland the heat of ebullition, and how the 

 animalcula themfelves perifli at 106° and 108°. 

 Nutriment gradually changes the original confli-. 

 tution of animalcula, and incorporation of a quan--^ 

 tity of foreign matter gives an efficacy to heat 

 which it could not previoufly have. The nutri- 

 tious atoms becoming conftituent parts of the mi- 

 nute organic whole by incorporation, heat cannot 

 but have fuch influence upon them as, to a certain 

 degree, to affed: the vital funftions. Perhaps- 

 animalcula may exift in the atmofphere fo per- 

 fedly diaphanous, and feed on fubftances fo rare, 

 that they may pafs through the iire without pe- 

 rifhing. Thefe would be fylphs and gnomes a 

 little lefs fabulous than thofe of poets : Your 

 animalcula of the iowefl clafs are gnomes yet 

 more real. 



All this has much analogy with what I have 

 faid, in the firft five parts of the Palingenefie, 

 en the little ethereal body which I have confider- 

 ed the real abode oftbefoul^ and which, accord- 

 ing to my ideas, has been rendered capable of 

 triumphing over the efFeds of time and the ele- 

 ments to preferve the perfonalHj of the animal. 

 Vol. L O ayid 



