[ 659 ] 
tive Force, limited, tho’ we know not its exad 
Bounds, in its fpecific A [cent or Defcent, and ex- 
panding itfelf in Directions as certain and determi- 
nate, as the Motions of the Plants. 
§ 32. Thefe Thoughts will appear to be lefs ha- 
zarded, if due Attention is given to the Generation 
of the Pafte-Eel. The Royal Society knows it to be 
viviparous 5 confequenrly perfect in this State, and fuch 
as may continue to generate in the common Way, as 
long as it has an Element and Matter proper for its 
Subliftence ; yet is its own original Generation, as 
far as I can learn by Obfervation, as that of all thefe 
microfcopical Animalcules, from a duCfile vegetating 
Matter, the Produce of Wheat-Flour and Water 5 
tho' it undergoes more Changes than others, and lives 
in other Conditions 5 afeending for fome time before 
it enters its chryfalidal or Egg-like State, whence it 
comes forth a perfeT Eel. I have added a Figure of 
a Group of thefe Eel-Chryfalids, but the Detail of 
their Metamorphofis I fhall referve for my little Effay, 
and not trouble you now with an Account too cir- 
cumffantiated of every Obfervation I have made 
upon them : Befides that I am not yet throughly fa- 
tisfied in the whole Manner and Proccfs of their 
Generation. See Tab. V. Fig- 4. 
§ 33. But now, to obviate every Objection that 
may remain againft the Exiftence of this vegetative 
Force, which feems to be the Key to much Know- 
ledge, and to remove many Errors j it may be pro- 
per to add, that, befides ocular Demonflration, which 
any Naturahft may have, befides the Precautions I 
took, that no fuppofed Germs might either be con- 
vey'd through the Air or the Water, or remain ad- 
hering 
