Of the Generation of Animals , See, 149 
Eovenly, variable, undefigning, and unfi- 
nifhed Manner $ but with a Contrivance, 
Dexterity, Elegance, Perfection, and Con- 
ftancy, beyond the utmoft Power of Art to 
imitate. This, however, was the Opinion, 
not only of the Ignorant and Illiterate, but 
of the moil learned grave Philofophers of pre¬ 
ceding Ages; and would probably ffcill have 
been taught and believed, had not Micro - 
fcopes difeovered the Manner how all thefe 
Things are generated, and reftored to God 
the Glory of his own amazing Works 
The Eye, affifted by a good Microfcope , 
can diftinguifh plainly, in the Semen Mafcu- 
linum of Animals, Myriads of Animalcules 
^live and vigorous ; though fo exceedingly 
minute, that it is computed three thoufand 
millions of them are not equal to a Grain of 
Sand, whofe Diameter is but the one hun¬ 
dredth Part of an Inch-f*. And the fame 
Inftrument will inform us, beyond all Doubt, 
that the Farince of Vegetables are nothing 
elfe but a Congeries of minute Granula t 
whofe Shapes are conftant and uniform as 
the Plants they are taken from. And as the 
* I would as foon fay, that Rocks and Woods engender 
Stags and Elephants, as affirm, that a Piece of Cheefe gene¬ 
rates Mites. 'Stags are born and live in Woods, and Mites in 
Cheefe ; but they both owe their Being to that of other Ani¬ 
mals. Sped, de la Nat. Eng. Edit. i2mo. Vol, II, p. II. 
f Vid. Keil’s Anat . 5th Edit. p. 516. 
a 
Seeds 
