ANIMALCULES IN VEGETABLES. 139 



ferent parts of the apparatus, I could not find in the 

 whole liquid the slightest trace of infusoria, of con- 

 fervce, or of mould; but all the three presented them- 

 selves in great abundance a few days after I had left 

 the flask standing open. The vessel which I placed 

 near the apparatus contained on the following day 

 vibriones and monads, to which were soon added 

 larger polygastric infusoria, and afterwards rota- 

 toria" 



Like other animals, these microscopic beings obey 

 fixed laws of geographical distribution, groups and 

 species having assigned limits of habitation. They 

 do not sleep, at least they have never been observed 

 in a state which might be properly called one of 

 repose. They are capable of a torpid existence in 

 earth dried up by a summer sun; and they hibernate 

 frozen in ice. 



An interesting vegetable production, having a 

 deceptive resemblance to white dressed glove-leather, 

 has lately been found on a meadow above the wire 

 factory at Schwartzenberg, in the Erzgebirge. A 

 green slimy substance grew on the surface of the 

 stagnant waters in the meadow ; which, the water 

 being slowly let off, deposited itself on the grass, 

 dried, became quite colourless, and might then be 

 removed in large pieces. The outside of this 

 natural production resembles soft dressed glove- 

 leather, or fine paper ; is shining, smooth to the 

 touch, and of the toughness of common unsized 

 paper. On the inner side, which was in contact 



