214 LECTURE XIL 



Microscope, have discovered whole tribes of ani- 

 mals, compared to which even Mites may be con- 

 sidered as a kind of Elephants. These minute 

 beings are chiefly to be observed in fluids of vari- 

 ous kinds ; and principally in such as have had any 

 animal or vegetable substances infused in them; 

 and for this reason they are often called in modern 

 Zoology by the title of Animalcula Infusoria or 

 Infusorial Animalcules. A most extraordinary 

 idea was entertained by the celebrated Count de 

 Buffon, relative to these Animalcules; viz. that 

 they were not real animals, but a kind of organic 

 particles or Moleculae, which were capable, under 

 certain circumstances, of being formed into ani- 

 mated beings. The experiments of Spallanzani 

 and others have however completely overthrown 

 this chimerical and absurd theory of the Count de 

 Buffon ; and indeed one would hardly think it pos- 

 sible for any person of unprejudiced mind, nay 

 one may even add, of common sense, to view the 

 several animalcules in fluids, and at the same time 

 to doubt of their being real animals. Their rapid 

 and various motions; their pursuit of the smaller 

 kinds on which many of the larger prey; their 

 avoiding each other as they swim; the curious 



