tary ones. These collections of globules, being put into a glass filled with sea water, described a rapid circle round the glass by a common movement, to which each individual contributed by the simple. compression of the sides of its body, probably the effect of the re-action of the air with which they were filled. It is not, however, easy to conceive how these distinct animals (for they may be readily separated without deranging their economy) are capable of concurring in a common motion. These considerations, together with the form of the animal, recalled to my mind, with much satisfaction, the ingenious system of M. de Buffon; and I endeavoured to persuade myself that I was about to witness one of the most wonderful phenomena of nature, supposing that these molecules, which were now employed in increasing or diminishing their number, or performing their revolutions in the glass, would soon assume the form of a new animal, of which they were the living materials. My impatience led me to detach two from the most numerous group, imagining that this number might perhaps be more favourable to the expected metamorphosis. I was, however, mistaken. These I examined with more attention than the rest, and the following account is of their proceedings alone. Like two strong and active wrestlers, they immediately rushed together, and attacked each other on every side: sometimes one would dive, leaving its adversary at the surface of the water; one would describe a circular movement, while the other remained at rest in the centre: their motions at ength became so rapid as no longer to allow me to distinguish the one from the other. Having quitted them for a short time, on my return I found them reunited as before, and amicably moving round the edge of the glass by their common exertions." How wondrous is this scene! where all is form'd The wanderer man from clime to clime, with all Which strike e'en eyes incurious; but each moss, Thou who dost through th' eternal round of time, T From this thy universe? Shall feeble man Is to know nothing-nothing worth the care Of self-love dwindle. Interest, passion, whim, FINIS. |