[ 4 2 



bulk. Notwithftanding their con- 

 temptible appearance, each of them 

 has its proper bufmefs affigned to it ia 

 the ceconomy and police of nature, 

 whereby they frequently tranfacl the 

 greateft things, and though gradually 

 and llowly, yet by their number they 

 effecl: what would appear to exceed all 

 expectation and belief. 



S E C T. II. 



I T was formerly believed that in- 

 fects were produced by equivocal o-e- 

 neration,orfrom putrefaclion , and that 

 the putrified remains of other animals 

 were chawged into them ; and that in~ 

 finite mixtures and varieties mip-ht thus 

 arife without iaw or order. This ab- 

 furd and futiie opinion, almoft univer- 

 fally prevailed 'till the times of Harvey 



and 



