J&- SEMINAL VERMICULI- 2^^^ 



continue fixed to the fame fpot until the ofcilla- 

 tion infenfibly dies away : then they remain en- 

 tire in the fluid, and are better feen when it is 

 diluted with water. We difcover that each cor- 

 pufcle is not globular, but elliptic ; and the ap- 

 pendage is not only much longer than it appear- 

 ed, but the thicknefs not uniform through the 

 whole length, and encreafing as it approaches the 

 body, fig. I. B. I was unable to difcern where 

 it terminated, being fo much immerfed in the 

 fluid. When motion entirely ceafes,. the fila- 

 ment remains extended in a flraight Une, or with 

 very little deviation. 



If the feminal fluid has been kept a day, or in- 

 deed lefs, in a watch-glafs, it becomes tranfpa- 

 rent, though preferving its original vifcofity. A 

 fediment of whitifli matter is depofited, which, by 

 the microfcope, refembles a parcel of flender 

 rags. 



In another obfervation, January- ii, the fluid 

 diflfolving later than that of the preceding obfer- 

 vation, fome particles were put in rain water ( i ). 

 The elliptic corpufcula, fwimming with progref- 

 fion and ofcillation, became motionlefs when the 

 water touched them. Other waters, as dunghill, 

 river, fnow, ice, and even difl;illed water, mixed 

 mth the feminal fluid, produced the fame effed. 



I have 



(i) Thermometer 36', 



