Essays in natural history and philosophy. Containing a series of discoveries, by the assistance of microscopes / By John Hill.

  • Hill, John, 1714?-1775.
Date:
1752
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Essays in natural history and philosophy. Containing a series of discoveries, by the assistance of microscopes / By John Hill. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ESSAY XIII On the Form of a frefh-water Infeffi, and its Manner of Feeding. HE feveral Ranks of living Creatures JL feem in a continual and even natural State of Depredation one upon another. We fee it in the larger more confpicuoufly *, but it is moil abundantly fhewn in the more minute, when we have the Curiofity and the Opportu¬ nities for examining them. The Wolf feeds on the Sheep, the Lyon on the Wolf; the Wren feeds on the Worm, and is itfelf eaten by the Hawk: and fo on through the whole Race of the carnivorous Animals, whether they be of the quadrupede or winged Tribes. But this is little in Comparifon to what the lead Drop of {landing Water fhews to the inquifitive Exa¬ miner, in Myriads of different Creatures roving in it as a Sea, and feeding in their feveral Degrees on one another. A little accidental Hollow in one of the broad Stones, with which the Area of the hinder Part of my Houfe is pav’d, detain’d, after a hafty Shower, about four or five Spoonfuls of Wa¬ ter. I had the Curiofity to examine whether in this Fluid, as immediately falling from the Clouds there were any living Creatures ; and the Experiment confirm’d the Affertions of thofe who have affirm’d that there are not. I left it un*