NATURAL HISTORY. 49 
cealed from our view but for the invention of 
the microscope. 
The peculiar nature and curious forms as- 
sumed at pleasure by the singular creature that 
forms the subject of this chapter, have pro- 
cured it the notice of most writers on the mi- 
croscope; it may therefore need some apology 
for its introduction in this work. All, however, 
that it appears necessary to state, is, that the 
figures given of it by preceding authors are in 
many particulars devoid of accuracy, and their 
description of some of its functions so mis- 
taken, that the Doctor’s drawings may be taken 
as a fair example of our advancement in these 
pursuits, while at the same time it is an object 
the study of which is always pleasing and 
delightful. 
The wheel animalcule is met with in vegetable 
infusions, especially in that of hay; in the red 
sediment left by rain-water passing over leaden 
gutters, immersing it in clean water, in ditches 
surrounded by vegetation, and not communi- 
cating with sewers, and in shallow ponds. They 
are found most abundant about farm-yards, in 
collections of stagnant water, covered with 
weeds and conferve, and are at their greatest 
perfection during June, July, and August. 
D 
