REPRODUCTION OF POLYTOMA 299 
forth, must remain for ever a marvel. On reading these 
passages the modern protozoologist, knowing the patience 
and perseverance needed to make such observations—even 
with adequate instruments, and with the accumulated informa- 
tion of the next 200 years to help him—can only regard this 
extraordinary old man,’ as he regarded his “little animals”, 
with dumbfounded admiration. 
—Door Arbeit en Naarstigheijt 
komt men tot saaken die men 
te vooren onna speurligk agten. 
Actum desen 30: April 1698 
ANTONY VAN LEEUWENHOEK 
1 L. was 84 years of age when this letter was written—‘ in the autumn 
of his life,” as he says a little later (cf. p. 88). 
