70 Of the Animalcules m fluids. 
cules come, mu ft either be depofited by their 
own Parents, as I above fuppofe, or be 
brought along with the Air. And, indeed, 
both thefe Ways may poffibly be : for as the 
Eggs of fuch minute Creatures are lighter 
than Air, Millions of them may continual¬ 
ly float therein, and, being wafted every 
where indifferently, may perifh in Places 
unfuitable to their Nature, but hatch and 
thrive when they happen to be lodged in a 
proper Nidus for them. Some People ima¬ 
gine, that the Eggs of thefe little Creatures 
are lodged in the Pepper , Hay, or whatever 
elfe is put into the Water: but, were it fo, 
I cannot think a thin Covering of Lawn, 
which does not exclude the finer Part of the 
Air, would prevent their being hatched^ and 
therefore mu fl conclude it a Miftake. 
Though Water that hands at Reft, and 
expofed in the open Air, will, after a few 
Days, have fome Animalcules in it, they will 
•be found in no Degree fo numerous as when 
vegetable Bodies have been fteeped therein i 
for no Creatures feem able to fubfift on mere 
Water only j and what little Particles beiides 
may accidentally happen in it, can maintain, 
-ho great Number : byt when, by tnfuiion 
- of the above-mentioned Sub dances, Water 
-is Pored with their proper Food, the Micro- 
fcope can fhew Myriads of living Creatures 
in every little Drop, 
6 As 
