PART I. 



AN INTRODUCTORY HISTORY 



OF 



INFUSORIAL ANIMALCULES, 



Among tlie arguments deduciblc from the natural world, in support 

 of the existence and superintending providence of an Almighty 

 Intelligence, none can carry a stronger conviction home to a reason- 

 ing and philosophic mind, than those drawn from that portion of it 

 which falls under consideration in the present treatise. Distributed 

 everywhere throughout this world, designed and formed by an all- 

 wise and gi'acious Creator, serving, were it no other purpose, that of 

 evidencing his all-pervading power, exists a race of beiags so dimi- 

 nutive, as to have provoked man's utmost ingenuity to bring them 

 within the range of his peixjeptivc powers. 



"In the clearest waters, and also in the troubled, strongly acid, 

 and salt fluids of the various zones of the earth ; in springs, rivers, 

 lakes, and seas ; in the internal moisturo of li\ing plants and 

 animal bodies, and, at times, carried about in the vapour and dust 

 of the whole atmosphere of the earth, exists a world, by the 



