OF THE FOETUS. 285 



organic particles of a different kind from thofe 

 of the common parts, and which ferve as a bafis 

 for their union. But it is, perhaps, ufelefs to 

 reafon on a queftion which can be folved at once, 

 by faying, that, as God has created fexes, ani- 

 mals mull: neceffarily be produced by their in- 

 tervention. We are not in a condition, as I 

 formerly remarked, to explain ii'hy things exifl; 

 we are unable to explain ivhy Nature almoft 

 univerfally employs fexcs for the reprodudion 

 of animals, or ijuhy fexes exift. We ought, 

 therefore, to content ourfelves with reafoning 

 concerning things as they are. If we attempt 

 to rife higher, we lofe ourfelves in the regions 

 of fancy, and forget the narrow limits of our 

 capacity. 



Leaving, therefore, all further fubtleties, I 

 Ihall adhere to nothing that is not founded on 

 fads and obfervation. I find that the repro- 

 dudion of bodies is efleded in many different 

 modes: But, at the fame time, I clearly perceive, 

 that animals and vegetables are reproduced by 

 the union of the organic particles detached from 

 all parts of their bodies. I am certain that thefe 

 adive organic particles exift in the feeds of ve- 

 getables, and in the feminal fluids of animals, 

 both male and female; and have no doubt that 

 every Ipecies of reprodudion is accomplifhed 

 by the union and admixture of thefe particles. 

 It is equally unqueftlonable, that, in the gene- 

 ration of man, and other animals, the organic 



particles 



