3 
[ xiii ] 
Yet Monf. Reaumur obferves, the Number of Quefti- 
ons that had been put to him concerning this Infed, as 
well by Pcrfons at home, as by his Correlpondents 
abroad, had made him think he ought not to defer 
giving now fome Satisfadion to the Curiofity of the 
Publick. Befides that he found himfelf obliged, to 
give in this manner his Atteftation to the Truth of this 
Fad, firft obferved by Mr. Trembley , a Gentleman of 
Geneva , now refiding in Holland , and confirmed by 
Numbers of the mod curious and accurate Experi- 
ments: Which Atteftation he alfo obferves, in fo 
ftrange a' Fad, could hardly be expeded to have fuffi- 
cient Weight, fhould he not fay enough to put his 
Readers in a Condition to obferve themfelves, and fee 
with their own Eyes, the Truth of the Particulars he 
relates. 
Mr. Trembley , about two Years and a half fince, ob- 
ferving the numerous Infeds, with which the Water 
of a Ditch, covered with Duck- weed, was plentifully 
ftock’d, difeovered fome odd-fhaped Bodies, of a green- 
ivh Colour, concerning which he was doubtful whe- 
ther to look on them as'Plants or Infeds ; he thought, 
by cutting them, to aflitre himfelf to which of thefe 
Ciafles they properly belonged ; as fuppofmg, if to 
the former, they would probably not be deftroyed by 
cutting, but vegetate again: They feemed to dofoj 
and upon this, he was inclined to look on them as a 
Sort of Water Senfitives ; till frelh Experiments every 
Day {hewed him new Operations. They difeovered a 
fort of voluntary locomotive Faculty ; they feemed to 
feek the Light j they caught other Infeds, and they 
devoured them with great Eagernefs. This threw him 
into frefh Amazement 3 yet a prudent Diffidence ftili 
hindered 
