8 Additional Notes. 



The hydra of Linnaeus, which dwells in the rivers of Europe under 

 aquatic plants, has been observed by the curious of the present time, 

 to revive after it has been dried, to be restored after being mutilated, 

 to multiply by being divided, to be propagated from small portions, 

 to live after being inverted ; all which Avould be best explained by 

 the doctrine of spontaneous reproduction from organic particles not 

 yet completely decomposed. 



To this should be added, that these microscopic animals are found 

 in all solutions of vegetable or animal matter in water; as black 

 pepper steeped in water, hay suffered to become putrid in water, and 

 the water of dunghills, afford animalcules in astonishing numbers. 

 See Mr. Ellis's curious account of Animalcules produced from an infu- 

 sion of Potatoes and Hempseed; Philos. Transact. Vol. LIX. from all 

 which it would appear, that organic particles of dead vegetables and 

 animals during their usual chemical changes into putridity or acidity, 

 do not lose all their organization or vitality, but retain so much of it 

 as to unite with the parts of living animals in the process of nutrition, 

 or unite and produce new complicate animals by secretion as in gener- 

 ation, or produce very simple microscopic animals or microscopic 

 vegetables, by their new combinations in warmth and moisture. 



And finally, that these microscopic organic bodies are multiplied 

 and enlarged by solitary reproduction without sexual intercourse till 

 they acquire greater perfection or new properties. Lewenhoek ob- 

 served in rain-water which had stood a few days, the smallest scai'cely 

 visible microscopic animalcules, and in a few more days he observed 

 others eight times as large; English Encyclop. Art. Animalcule. 



Conclusion. 



There is therefore no absurdity in believing that the most simple 

 animals and vegetables may be produced by the congress of the parts 

 of decomposing organic matter, without what can properly be termed 

 generation, as the genus did not previously exist; which accounts 

 for the endless varieties, as well as for the immense numbers of micro- 

 scopic animals. 



