is a real productive Force in Nature ; in which 
we had both long lince agreed, however we may 
have differed in explaining that Action : For whether 
it be by an Evolution and Combination of organical 
Farts, as Mr. de Buffon fuppofes, or by a real vege- 
tating Force refiding in every microfcopical Point, 
may be probably far beyond the Power of Micro- 
. icopes to determine. But as the Principle from 
which we depart is intirely the fame, it muft necef- 
arily lead to ftmilar Thoughts, and fimilar Confe- 
quences. 
§2 6. My firft Proofs therefore were drawn 
from a clofe Attendance to all the common Infu- 
fions, particularly that of Wheat pounded in a mar- 
ble Mortar. It was plain from them all, that after 
fome time allow'd to the Water to call off the 
Salts and volatile Parts, which evaporated copioufly , 
the Subftance became fofter, more divided, and 
more attenuated : To the naked Eye, or to the 
Touch, it appear'd a gelatinous Matter, but in the 
Microfcope was feen to confift of innumerable Fila- 
ments ; and then it was that the Subftance was in 
its highcft Point of Exaltation, juft breaking, as I 
may fay, into Life. Thefe Filaments would fwell 
from an interior Force fo active, and fo productive, 
that even before they refolved into, or fhed any 
moving Globules, they were perfect Zoophytes teenir- 
ing with Life, and Self-moving. 
If any Particle was originally very fmall and fphe- 
rical, as many among thofe of the pounded Seeds 
were, it was highly agreeable to obferve its little 
Star-like Form with Rays diverging on all Sides, 
and every Ray moving with extreme Vivacity. The 
Extremities 
