\'0L. XXI.3 PHILOSOPHICAL TKANSACTIONS. 413 



objections alluded to have no effect upon him in moving him from his opinion ; 

 that the numerous animalcules seen by the microscope in the seed of the male 

 animals are the very animals in embryo, which are afterwards born of the female. 

 An opinion which he does not here bring arguments or reasons to render either 

 probable or credible. 



Extract of a Letter from Dr. JVallis to Dr. Shane, S.R.S. giving an Account 

 of some late Passages between him and Mijnheer Leibnitz, of Hanover. 

 N° 255, p. 273. 



Sir. — I received lately a letter from Mynheer Leibnitz, of March 30, 1699, 

 wherein are some passages relating to mathematics ; to be answered hereafter. 

 Then follows a passage somewhat relating to the Royal Society, in these words : 

 " I know not how it happens, but the sublimer studies are not now pursued so 

 much as formerly ; whereas after so many late assistances they could never be 

 prosecuted to more advantage. I suppose it may be because of the unhappiness 

 of the times, and that the wars have turned the attention of mankind another 

 way; so that very few of the juniors are ambitious to attain to the glory of 

 their predecessors. Even nature has now but few that cultivate her diligently. 

 As the French Academy of Sciences has been reconstituted by their king, so I 

 wish that a new ardour were infused into your Society." To which, what I have 

 thought fit to return in answer you will see afterwards. 



He then sends me the copy of a large French letter of I'Abbe de la Charmoye 

 to I'Abbe Nicaise, giving him a particular account of the contents of a treatise 

 intended to be shortly published, concerning the original of nations, wherein, 

 out of ancient mythology, he endeavours to discover an historical account of the 

 origin of divers nations, herewith sent to you. 



Account of the Abbot Charmoye' s Book, called L'Origine des Nations, sent by him 

 to Abbot Nicaise, in form of a Letter. N° 255, p. 274. 



The author says that his book will be entitled. The Origin of Nations; that 

 it will be an historical comment on the 10th chapter of Genesis, where Moses 

 mentions the first fathers and replenishers of the earth after the deluge. He 

 divides it into 5 books. In the first he discourses on what relates to the inha- 

 bitants of the earth, before the confusion of tongues and tower of Babel, and 

 who it was that undertook this great and wonderful work or enterprize. In 

 the second book he discourses at large of the descendants of Sam. In the 

 third, he inquires into the posterity of Cham. And in the fourth, the esta- 

 blishment of Japhet. He then proceeds on many other things, as of Mizraim» 



