LETTER 18. NUTMEG-WATER 161 
The 17th ditto, I perceived no animalcules ; and as the 
water was much evaporated away, I added well-water, for 
want of snow-water. 
The 18th ditto, no animalcules made out. 
The 19th of August, many small animalcules seen 
again. 
The 20th ditto, the animalcules as before. 
The 21st ditto, the small animalcules seen in greater 
number. I likewise now saw some, though very few, that 
were a bit bigger. These last were very nearly round, 
only tending somewhat to an elliptical figure. 
The 23rd ditto. Besides the said animalcules, I dis- 
cerned, both now and yesterday, divers animalcules that 
were twice as long as broad, running to a point before 
and behind, and of the size of those in the pepper-water ; 
but their motion was not so quivering. I fancied the 
cause of this was that this water was thicker. 
On the 3rd of September, I could perceive no animal- 
cules. The water being now for the most part evaporated 
away, I added well-water, wherein were very many little 
animalcules. I also took a little bit of nutmeg out of the 
water, and tasting it upon my tongue, found it was still 
so strong that it surpassed many fresh nutmegs in savour. 
The 4th ditto, the exceeding very little animalcules 
now seen alive once more. 
The 7th of September, the very little animalcules seen 
alive, as before; yet could I discern no animalcules of 
the sort that were in the well-water ere I put it to the 
nutmegs. My further observations I have not writ 
down.’ 
The objection hath divers times been urged against me, 
that there are, hovering in the air, extraordinary small 
living creatures, which are hid from our eyes, and can 
" The record of observations ends at this point. 
1a! 
