C74 ANIMALCULA OF INFUSIONS, L 



<= foreign matter, would deftroy the mutual relation of 



* the primitive molecules, and the germ would be de- 



* compofed though thefe molecules remained untouched. 

 ' Here 1 only outline an hypotheiis which fhall be extend- 



* ed when I have leifure/ 



It was really my intention to do fo, when I wrote thus 

 to M. Bonnet ; but the intervention of other fucceflive 

 operations has not allowed me time. The fame has hap- 

 pened to M. Bonnet, who promifed me new reflexions on 

 the fubjeft, and has undoubtedly been prevented by fimilar 

 eaufes. The explanation of his illuftrious nephew feems 

 to me fufficlent, efpeclally if we admit, that not only fe- 

 veral inorganic bodies, as afbeflus or amianthus, fome 

 earths, and feveral other mineral fubflances, fupport the 

 aftion of lire without fuffering by it ; but there are alfo 

 particular bodies, bearing great analogy to animals, and 

 organized like them, that enjoy the fame advantages. 



There are certain roots which may be ignited without be- 

 , iug confumed : an incombuftible flax is made of others. 



Such, in the former cafe, is the Androfaces of Diofcorides ; 



and, in the latter, the. Indian tree Sodda. Waller Mine- 



ralog. 



It fliould not be concealed from the reader, that, on 



putting M. Bonnet's conjecture to the teft, I did not find 



it agree with fafts ; a»d fo I informed him. « The co- 



< lofTal fize of the animalcula in thefe infufions has been 

 « mentioned, my celebrated colleague, in my other let- 

 * ters. As they are nearly opaque, and as others very 

 ' minute and tranfparent appear along with them, if your 



< hypothefis is true, it follows, that the animalcula of the 



* fecond 



