SWAMMERDAM. 1 3/ 



religion. The father died soon afterwards, and a 

 lawsuit was commenced by the family to prevent 

 Swammerdam having his share of the property. 

 This trouble brought on illness, and severe ague 

 followed, and, although recovery took place, the 

 sensitive, able man sank soon afterwards. Swam- 

 merdam made an epoch in zoology by showing the 

 value of the microscope, and by his extreme ex- 

 actitude in descriptions, drawings, and dissections. 

 His contributions to human anatomy alone will 

 always render his name illustrious. 



Although everybody must regret that Swammer- 

 dam had not good means, and that his work was 

 so sadly brought to a close by poverty and trouble, 

 yet it must be remembered that wealth is not a 

 great incentive to distinction in subjects that 

 require great self-denial, and which are not much 

 valued by what is called public opinion. The 

 temptations incident to, and the real duties of 

 wealth, are as great antagonists of successful 

 scientific research, as poverty. And certainly the 

 frivolity and vice of the wealthier classes of Europe, 

 during the earlier part of the eighteenth century, 

 were not likely to inspire any of their members 

 with a desire for natural science. But some very 

 remarkable instances occurred, in which the genius 

 and determination of some great men prevailed 

 over the intolerance and habits of the age, and 

 enabled them to become men of great mark in 

 zoology and other subjects. 



The first to be noticed is Rene Antcine Ferchault 



