EARLY DAYS OF THE MICROSCOPE 



progeny of tiny worms, some with horns, some with 

 wings, others with many feet. They have little 

 black dots of eyes. What must their little livers 

 and stomachs be like ? " 



In the light of modern discovery much of the 

 writing of these early microscopists seems absurd. 

 Kircher's experiments, for example, prove nothing, 

 and he is often hopelessly vague and sometimes in- 

 correct in his statements. We must not be too 

 critical, however, for some of this early work was 

 excellent, the microscopes in use would not be 

 tolerated at the present day, and without these 

 pioneers microscopy would not have reached the 

 stage it has. Rather than laugh at their efforts, we 

 should marvel that they did so well. 



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