LETTER 18. RAIN-WATER 127 
The 16th ditto, I perceived the oval animalcules in yet 
greater numbers; and they were flat beneath, and round 
above: and besides these, there were very small animal- 
cules that were three times as long as broad,’ together 
with divers other sorts which it would take all too long 
to specify. In the evening of the same day, I discovered 
little paws on the foresaid oval animalcules,’ which were 
many in number, in proportion to the animalcule; and 
also a much bigger animalcule* of the same figure, that 
was likewise furnished with little legs. And at this point, 
I stopped my observations upon this water. 
6th Observation anent Rain-water. 
On the 17th ditto, it rained very hard in the forenoon, 
and I collected water, as before related, in a new Delft 
porcelain dish, which had never been used before; but I 
found therein no living creatures, only many earthy 
particles, and, among others, bits which I imagined came 
from the smoke of coals’; and some very thin threads, at 
least ten times thinner than the thread of a silk-worm. 
They seemed to be made up of globules; and when they 
lay rather thick one upon another, they had a green 
colour. 
The 26th ditto, having been eight days out of town 
on holiday, and my closet having stood tight shut up; 
being come home, and observing the water afresh, I 
discovered divers animalcules, which were very small.° 
* Unidentifiable, as no further details are given. Possibly Bodo 
caudatus. 
” 2? Cyclidium. The “paws” were obviously cilia. 
* A ciliate; but not determinable, as this is all that is ever said about it. 
* June, 1676. 
° wande rook van smits coolen MS. “from the smoak of Smiths-coals” 
Phil. Trans. “ Smits coolen”’? means ordinary (or stone) coal, as dis- 
tinguished from “ howts coolen’’, or charcoal. The “globules” present in 
smoke are described by L. elsewhere. 
° Unidentifiable. It is not clear from his words whether L. here refers 
to the ‘‘ very small animalcules’”’ (Monas?) previously mentioned or not. 
