THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 7 



and a half ago. This instrument at once displayed to men 

 objects so. new, striking, and unexpected that it was every- 

 where admitted to have opened up a new world, by confer- 

 ring, as it were, upon us an additional sense wherewith to 

 investigate the invisible. 



When we read the works of naturalists, and see them 

 penetrating so deeply into the most recondite secrets of the 

 anatomy and habits of beings, the very existence of which 

 the eye could not lead us to suspect, we are apt to ask if 

 the pride of genius has not led it beyond the simple reali- 

 ties of nature ; and hence, for a long time, the statements 

 of microscopists were, by some obstructive minds, regarded 

 as fables. But when we see their instruments, and observe 

 the remarkable precision with which they are constructed, 

 we at once conclude that, however marvellous their inves- 

 tigations appear, there has been no self-deception in their 

 case. 



The microscope was discovered in Holland about the 

 same time by two men of science, Leuwenhoeck and Hart- 

 zoeker, who each maintained that the priority of invention 

 belonged to himself. The former was, however, really the 

 father of microscopy ; the latter was essentially a natural 

 philosopher. The discussions between them were often 

 bitter and unseemly. Leuwenhoeck lived isolated and 

 solitary ; he did not want any person to penetrate into his 

 secrets ; his wife and daughter alone were initiated into 

 them, and his door remained closely shut against his young 

 and turbulent rival. 



Stung by this affront, the latter revenged himself to the 

 utmost of his power, and assailed his antagonist sharply, 



