i 



CHAP. Vt 



Experiments on Generation* 



1 Often receded on the above two fyflems of 

 generation, and was daily more and more 

 convinced that my theory was infinitely more 

 probable. At length I began to fufped: that thofe 

 living organic particles, from which I thought 

 all animals and vegetables derived their origin, 

 might be recognized by the affiftance of good 

 glafles. My firft notion was, that the fpermaiic 

 animalcules found in the feminal fluid of all 

 males, might probably be thofe very organic 

 particles ; and I reafoned in this manner. If all 

 animals and vegetables contain an infinite num- 

 ber of organic particles, thefe particles fliould be 

 moil abundant in their feeds, becaufe the feed is 

 an extract from all the organic parts, and efpe- 

 cially from thofe which are moil: iwialogous to the 

 individual : Perhaps the fpermatic animals found 

 in the femen of males may actually be thofe very 

 organic particles, or, at leaft, the firft union or 

 afi^emblages of them. But, if this be the cafe,- 

 then the femen of females ought to contain or- 

 ganic living particles, or animalcules, fimilar to* 



thofe' 



