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CHAP. XXVI. 
Of the Gnat. 
HE Production of this Creature is from 
JL an Egg, depofited by its Parent upon 
the Waters, which firft becomes a JVonn or 
Maggot , then a very odd aquatic Animal (de¬ 
fer ibed page 88.) and afterwards a Gnat . 
The particular Beauties of it cannot poffi- 
bly be difeovered without the Microfcope; but 
by the Afliftance of that Inftrument, it ap¬ 
pears to be adorned by Nature in a more 
extraordinary Manner than moft other living 
Creatures are. Its Tail-part is covered over 
with Feathers, moft exquifitely difpofed in 
Rows of different Colours, but yet perfectly 
tranfparent. The Bread * (which is cruf- 
taceous) is bedecked with little ftiff Hairs 
or Briftles, inftead of Feathers ; and from 
thence fix hairy Legs proceed, with fix Joints 
to each, and at the End two little Claws. 
The Feet are all over feathered in a Manner 
refembling the Scales of Fifhes, with Abun¬ 
dance of little black Hairs amongft them, 
appearing ftubborn like Hogs Briftles. Its 
Wings are encompaffed with a Furbelow of 
long Feathers : and the Veins or Ribs that 
* Swammerd, Hift. Generate des Infedies, p. 108* 
Vol. L p ferve 
