11 
The Hi fiery of AN I M A L 8» 
ture foon after thrufts oat two protuberances, which give it the appearance of a double 
head j and in each of thefe is difcovered an apparatus in a continual motion, appearing 
a rotatory one, but, in reality, it is only a vibratory one, very quick repeated. Each of thefe 
protruded bodies has fix arms inferted into it, and thefe it continually (huts and opens 
over one another, in the manner of the fnutting and opening of the human hand. 
Each of thefe arms is furnifned with a double feries of fibres at it’s edge, which, being 
expanded, as the arm is thrown down, and drawn in, as it is moved up again, caufe it to 
fpread to a confiderable breadth, and make a great motion in the water, as it is 
thrown down j but to make very little refinance, as it is drawn up again ; a repeated 
motion of this kind has, indeed, fomething of the appearance of that of a wheel, and 
has all it’s effe&s; it forms a current in the water, and draws in with it multitudes of 
the fmaller Animalcules, w r hich ferve as food to this creature. When it’s hunger is af- 
fwaged, it draws in the protuberances, to which thefe arms are fixed, and, frequently 
retrading it’s whole body into the cafe again, appears a lifelefs conic body as at firtt. 
It is frequent in the dry mud lodged in water-pipes, and on the tops of houfes : it 
will remain in it’s inadive ttate in this dirt many months, but, at any time, will put 
itfelf in motion, on adding a drop of water to a little of the dirt under the microfcope. 
Moft of the late writers on the microfcopic difcoveries have figured this Animalcule j 
but their defcriptions, fuch as they are, are fo very different from what an accurate exa¬ 
mination furnifhes, that I would almoft fufped they were meant of of fame other crea¬ 
ture, did they not agree in the more obvious particulars, and in the fingularity of the 
place where it is ufually found. 
Brachionus corpore conico tGrulofo 5 cauda triaifpidi. 
The Brachionus, with a conic torulous body , and a tricufpidate tail. 
This is alfo one of the fmaller Animalcules: It is of a conic figure, but it’s body feems 
compofed of four or five joints: it’s length is about five times it’s diameter : it’s colour 
a pale brown, and it’s fkin very thin and tranfpareni: it’s tail is terminated by three 
points, by means of which, it fixes itfelf very firmly to any folid fubffance ; and from 
it’s other extremity it protrudes occafionally two protuberances, each furnifhed with 
fix arms; by means of which, it makes a current in the water for the getting it’s prey. 
It is not uncommon in Handing waters, about the roots of duck-weed : a fecond 
magnifier fhews it very diftindly. 
Brachionus corpore breviore campaniformi , cauda hr cm. 
The Brachionus , with a floor ter bellfafloioned’body , anal a floor t tail. 
This is a very fmall and very fingular fpecies: it is petfedlly tranfparent, and feems 
indeed fcarce any thing more than a membrane of extream finenefs, inclofing a quantity 
of a clear fluid, and with it the intettines: it is wholly pellucid and colourleis • it’s body 
is of a bell-like fhape, but nearly as broad at the bafe, as at the mouth : the tail is fhort 
and forked, and grows from the center of the bafe : the mouth is open, and is furnifh*- 
ed with two of thofe apparatus’s of arms, each compofed of fix, which it ufes as the firtt: 
defcribed fpecies, to draw it’s prey to it, by making a current in the wateiy 
It is frequent in clear waters, about the ttalks of the fmaller water plants: it requires a 
fecond magnifier to fliew it in any degree of perfection. 
Brachionus corpore breviore campaniformi , cauda longiore. 
The Brachionus , with a floort campaniform body 5 and a longer tail. 
This alfo is a very minute Animalcule : it’s body is very regularly of the fhape of a 
bell, narrowed: at the bafe, and broadeft at the mouth where it opens; and is furnifhed 
with two apparatus’s, each confiding of dx arms, as in the other fpecies. It'is clear, 
pellucid, and colourlefs, and the lineaments of the intedines are eafily traced through 
the fkin ; it’s tail is many times longer than it’s body; and, as the young are produced, 
they often adhere, by the extremities of their tails, to the parent’s tail, and by this 
means form a clutter adhering to one another, and feeming to be all produced from one 
original tail or ftalk at the bottom. 
It is frequent in ponds, about the ttalks of the water plants, 
Brachionus 
