Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-08-06
I. MDNDAY MDaN1an, AUGUST 8, 1882

| Can 1t be believed that such beings arc less the
objects of divine care and continuance than such
| IS are more obvious 10 Our senses, and that the
| regard of the Deity is proporloned ID the magni
tude of the creature, the perfection Of its or
yanizaton? Who can reasonably doubt for an
instant that the most minute being is produced
not by eQuivocal generation. but by the operation
of those laws, which, however varied may be the
phenomena, regulate the entire system of repro
duction in the animal creation, and maintain an
uniformity Of design and adaptation of means to
ends amidst countless myriads ol species.
Some notion may be entertained of the mmen.
sitv of animal procreation amongst the iatusoria,
when it is known that the green matter OF vege.
tation is produced by animalcula When brought
into the field of good microscope, the green
matter is seen to consist of moving beings OF thu
snecies OF nnonas When dried up they are mo-
tionless, and when mnistened all Is life and actl-
yity amongst them. Removed from the light of
day they soon lose their green tint. and Oh expo
sure to the suns RAYS they are Reproduced in
their spring verdure.
Some little tact and care is necessary in order
to succeed in demonstrating the green monades.
Similar results have been found with veal and
other meats dissolved in distilled water, as to
the production Of moving globuar forms. The
green mouades, causing the prevailing coloring
matter OF plants, has been considered as phe.
nomenon identical with the red PARTICLES Vt the
bood but subsequent observations so not con-
firm thi, notion, a. the latter do not appear TO be
live or slobniar in form; and this, therefore,
tends TO contradict the theory OF an universal
animated s'"bule as the basis Of organization. -
The fact fits, noticed by the celebrated French
anatomist (Blchat). of the hairs appearing All.
mated with mvriads Ut O'a aud animaicuies, has
alsa been supposed to favor the theory OF an uni
yersai giubuie as the basis %! all or"anc textures;
but these mpnadts evldenti, niece parasites
swarming on the surface ol the hair aud lying
dormant when not separated from their attach
ment by maceratlon, and eXis'ihS IN iheir actFe
state in warm weather.
Whilst the microscope thus affords an amusing
source Of instruction. aud opens 10 our eyes mi.
mature world to a greater extent as to numbers
than that commonly seen about It's, suggesting
wonderful refec tons upon lie aad its A,th"r, it
canuo, be said To have afiJr,.ei such reformation
hitherto upon organic structures. as the sanguine
expectations OF some psychologists led them TO
imagine would be obaned. Organization and the
vital principe are still! yelled from human eyes,
and there appears to be no clue to unravel the
mystery through the meaus OF the microscope IN
yes,ina,ion. The solids, and some Of the fluids,
such as blood and milk, of animal structures, and
vegetable textures, indicate distinct PARTICLES iii
their ultimate constructions; that Is, the best mag
nifying glasses, properly adjusted, reduces or
gained textures to distinct PARTICLES. beyond
| which the eye can detect no other formation. -
These have been said to exhibit all oscila,ory mo-
ton. but no identity with the lntusorv anunalcu-
! les attached TO animal and vegetable matter
/ Mr. Brown, the celebrated bnan,t. observed
/ . ,koJ ii
structure. Particles OF granite, glass, copper,
Sc. mingled with drop Of water, were found to
be formed of still smaller PARTICLES. distinct from
each other, and to have visible oscillation. a
mo, ement. though limited, that is not apparently
! explicable upon any knnwn principle motion
but that of life, which analogy will not permit US
to admit of. as an explanation of the phenomenon.
The subject i, full of interest ana curiosity;
much is still to be learnt before We can oncIle
all the facts aud contradictions which the ulcros-
cope gives rise to- SO as To form any general the
orv of the ultimate particles Uf mdltcr; pnd at
present the fancicd identity Of the mnutr,i
lures of organic textures with the s'nd est knoEi.
animalcule Is completely ba,eieo' ana lraJ All.
sable, however beautiful and ingenious ' e
theory which sprung from il. |, Is how,vrr =.
ficiently curious To know that animals Infinitely
! less than a grain of sand are senerared IN myti-
AL, upon the surface OF plants. and some por Ions
Of animal bodies congregallns together 50 close
! ". as, with their mlnu,eness, to appear to be a
portion Of the organic texture. whilst, like seeds.
they retain life IN state of inactivity until the
principie of vitality is reused within them by
circumstances favorable to aalmalcular existence,
! but in searching to account for life and organI-
cation. we are lett hither tn wonder and admire,
without obtaining the object OF our anxious luqul'
! ries.