6 
The 
Hiftory e/ A N I M A L E 
corpora fubovato . 
The Crafpedarium , with an oval body. 
This is a fomewhat larger Animalcule than the former, but, if many hundred times 
bigger than it is, would Ml be undiftinguifhable by the ifiiked eye. It’s figure ap¬ 
proaches to that of an egg, but it’s head is fituate at the large, not the fmaller, end : 
the tail extremity is pointed at it’s termination 5 the other is rounded, but truncated 
the fkin is fmooth, and very tranfparent, and the traces of the inteftines are eafily 
feen. At the larger extremity there is a confiderable opening, furronnded by a 
fhort but very thick fringe. The filaments compofiOg this are in continual motion, 
and draw a multitude of leffer Animalcules continually into the creature’s mouth. 
, It is frequent in that coloured water which runs from large dunghils 5 a third mag¬ 
nifier fhews it very diftindly. 
Crafpedarium corpore cylindrico. 
The Crafpedarium , with a cylindric body. 
This is of the number of the larger Animalcules. It is oblong, thick, and infla¬ 
ted j it’s length is equal to about four times it’s diameter 5 it’s fkin is perfectly fmooth 
and colourlefs, and fo tranfparent, that the traces of the inteflines are eafily feen : it’s 
hinder extremity is rounded, and it’s anterior truncated; there is a large opening vifi- 
ble at this extremity, which ferves as a mouth, and is furrounded by a feries of fila¬ 
ments, forming a long and delicate fringe. Thefe are in continual motion, and, as 
they vibrate about, refled a variety of colours : the creature is flow in it’s motions, 
nature having provided it with this fringe about it’s mouth, to draw in it’s food, by 
the motion it makes in the water, without it’s running about in fearch of it. 
It is frequent in rain water, that has flood feveral days, and in many of the vegetable 
infufions, 
4 ‘ ■ “ * ' ' * ‘ >•'«.*.. v . * -I .'a .1 ‘ v . - \ \ : " ' 
ANIMALCULES. 
Clafs the Second. 
C E R C A R I A. 
A 
Thofe which have tails but no vifble limbs . 
B R A C H U R i. 
NIMALCULES with tails fhorter than dreir bodies. 
^ j • i - k* v- - \ -> * -t- ^— • 
Jt " ’ ' \ - c ' - .* U v'J /vi 
Brachurus corpore orbiculato, cauda brevijftma. 
The Brachurus , with an orbicular body y and a very jhort tail. 
This is one of the fmaller Animalcules. It is of a round fhape, inflated and tranf¬ 
parent : it’s fkin is perfectly fmooth, thin, and colourlefs; the lineaments of the in¬ 
teflines are feen very diftindly through it j it has no vilible mouth : but at the extre¬ 
mity of the body, oppofite to that which goes forward, it has a fhort tail fcarce equal 
in length to one fixth of the diameter of the body: this little appendage is in almofl 
continual motion, and, when ftridly examined, is found to be forked at the extremity. 
The creature moves very fwiftly about; and often, when it has fixed itfelfby this 
tail, gives the body a rotatory motion backwards and forwards, with an almofl incre¬ 
dible, fwiftnefs. 
It is frequent in pond water, particularly in fuch as has been fhaded by a covering 
of duckweed. 
Brachurus 
