OF THE FOETUS. 287 



tivity, is probably tbe firft aflemblage of parti- 

 cles that proceed from the fexual parts, becaufe 

 they are the only particles in the mixture which 

 differ from thofe common to both fexes. 



I imagine, therefore, that, in the mixture of 

 the two fluids, the organic particles which come 

 from the fexual parts of the male fix themfelves 

 firfl, and cannot unite wuth thofe which pro- 

 ceed from the fexual parts of the female, be- 

 caufe they are of a different nature, and have 

 lefs affinity to each other than the particles that 

 come from the eye, the arm, or any other part 

 of the female. Round this centre, or point of 

 union, the other organic particles fucceffively ar- 

 range themfelves in the fame order they former- 

 ly exifted in the body from which they were de- 

 rived; and, according as the particles of the one 

 or of the other individual mofl abound, or are 

 nearer this central point, they enter in greater or 

 lefs quantities into the compofition of the new 

 being, which, in this manner, is formed in the 

 middle of a homogeneous fluid ; at the fame 

 time, veflels begin to fhoot, which increafe in 

 proportion to the growth of the foetus, and fur- 

 nllh it with proper nourifliment. Thefe vefl^els, 

 which have a peculiar fpecies of organization, 

 are probably formed by the excefs of the orga- 

 nic particles that have not been admitted into the 

 compofition of the foetus; for, as thefe particles 

 are both adive, and furniflicd with a bafe or 

 point of union from the organic particles pecu- 

 liar 



