20 MEMOIR OF SWAMMERDAM. 



this individual, and of Barentje Corver, daughter of 

 John Jansz Corver, and was born at Amsterdam, on 

 the J2th February, 1637- 



He was from the first intended for one of the 

 learned professions, and was early instructed in Latin 

 and Greek with that view. As he grew up, his 

 father formed the wish that he should study for the 

 church, but from some cause or other he was him- 

 self disinclined to this step, and soon ceased to con- 

 template it. This probably arose from the high sense 

 he entertained of the responsibility attached to the 

 sacred office, and an apprehension that his talents 

 and disposition might not fit him to discharge its 

 duties in a manner commensurate with the idea he 

 had formed of their importance. Under these cir- 

 cumstances, he obtained his father's consent to apply 

 himself to medicine, a study well adapted to his in- 

 clinations, as attracting his attention to physical pur- 

 suits. Another strong incitement to such investiga- 

 tions was presented by the contents of his father's 

 museum, which he was employed in arranging and 

 keeping in a proper state of preservation. te This 

 occupation," says the learned Boerhaave, to whom 

 we are indebted for an interesting Life of Swammer- 

 dam, " led him to examine natural objects, even 

 from his childhood, with the greatest attention. He 

 soon ceased to be contented with what his father had 

 purchased, and began to form a collection for himself. 

 He devoted himself, in particular, to the examination 

 of insects, pursued them in the fields, purchased 

 them, exchanged other objects for them, and com- 



