484 Microscopical Essays. 



Mod authors fpeak of finding eight lefier globules wkhin the 

 larger ; but Muller fays, that he has counted thirty or forty of 

 different fixes. This wonderful incapfulation of it's progeny is 

 well known ; indeed it often exhibits itfelf big with children and 

 grandchildren. 



Leeuwenhoeck was the firft who noticed this curious animalcu- 

 lum, and depicted it; a circum fiance which has not been mentioned 

 by Baker and other microfcopic writers who have defcribed it. 

 It may be found in great plenty in ftagnant waters in fpring and 

 fummer, and in infufions of hemp-feed and tremella. 



It is thus defcribed by Mr. Baker. This fmgular minute water 

 animal, feen before the microfcope, appears to be exa&ly globu- 

 lar, without either head, tail, or fins. It moves in all directions, 

 forwards or backwards, up or down, rolling over and over like a 

 bowl, fpinning horizontally like a top, or gliding along fmoothly 

 / without turning itfelf at all. Sometimes it's motions are very 



flow, at other times very fwift ; and when it pleafes it can turn 

 round as upon an axis very nimble, without moving out of it's 

 place. The body is tranfparent, except where the circular fpots 

 are placed, which are probably it's young. The furface of the 

 body in fome is as it were dotted all over with little points, and 

 in others as if granulated like ftiagreen. Mr. Baker thought alfo 

 that in general it appeared as if it was fet round with fhort move- 

 able hairs. 



By another writer they are thus defcribed. Thefe animalcula 

 are at firft very fmall, but grow fo large as to be difcerned with 

 the naked eye ; they are of a yellowifti green colour, globular 

 5 % ure * 



