6 GENEHAL HISTOET OF 



individual, and a similar interminable preservation and extension of 

 it, in air and water, ensues, which, poetically, borders upon eternal 

 life and growth. 



12. The copulation of gemmae, which perhaps includes the hitherto 

 unsolved poly-embryonate riddle of the seeds of all plants and 

 vegetable formations, is solved in the family Clostcrina. 



13. The Infusoria, in consequence of their siliceous shells, form 

 indestructible earths, stone, and rocky masses. 



14. With lime and soda we can prepare glass, and swimming 

 bricks, out of invisible animalcules ; use them as flints ; probably 

 prepare iron from them ; and use the m&untain meal, composed of 

 them, as food in hunger. 



15. The invisible Infusoria are sometimes hurtful, by causing the 

 death offish in ponds, deterioration of clear water, and bogg}^ smells; 

 but not, as has been supposed, in giving rise to malaria, plague, and 

 other maladies. 



IG. The Infusoria appear to be (as far as is yet known) sleepless. 



17. The Infusoria partly break up (zcrfliesscn) by egg laying, 

 [ind thereby undergo, passively, various changes of form. 



18. The Infusoria form invisible intestinal worms in many animals, 

 and in man, even if the Spermatozoa are excluded from amongst 

 them. 



19. The microscopic Infusoria have, also, themselves, internal and 

 external parasites. 



20. The Infusoria possess a comparatively long life. 



21. As the pollen of the Pine falls yearly from the clouds, in the 

 fonn of sulphur-rain, so do the much smaller animalcules appear 

 (from being passively elevated with the watery vapour) floating in a 

 live state in the atmosphere, and sometimes, perhaps, mixed with 

 the dust. 



22. In general, the Infusoria maintain themselves pretty uniformly 

 against all external influences, as do larger organized bodies. It is 

 true that they sometimes consume strong poisons \sdthout immediate 

 injury, but not without an after effect. 



23. The weight of the invisible Infusoria, light as it is, is yet 

 calculable, and the most gentle current of air or diaught can pluy 

 with their bodies as with the vapour of water. 



