130 JOHN SWAMMERDAM. 



light, the effect of which was increased by the use 

 of the microscope, they were so affected by it, that 

 after mid-day he could no longer trace the minute 

 lx)dies which he examined, although he had then 

 as bright a light as in the forenoon." A month of 

 this excessive labour was necessary to examine and 

 depict the intestines of bees alone ; and the investi- 

 gation of their entire structure cost him much addi- 

 tional labour ; and all this was done, with a body de- 

 bilitated by disease, and a mind agitated by conflict- 

 ing passions, amid sighs and tears. At one time 

 the bent of his disposition impelled him to investi- 

 gate the wonderful works of Omnipotence ; at an- 

 other a voice within told him that he ought to set 

 his affections on God alone. After finishing his exa- 

 mination of the structure of bees, he was so affected 

 with remorse, that he gave the manuscript and 

 drawings to a friend, careless what might happen to 

 them. At the same time, however, he wrote two 

 letters to Boccone, on the nature of corals. 



These occupations being ended, he was more power- 

 fully impressed than ever with the vanity of human 

 pursuits, and after this period he never engaged in 

 his customary investigations. He acknowledged that 

 hitherto ambition alone had incited him to undergo 

 so many labours, but now resolved to devote the re- 

 mainder of his life to the cultivation of Christian 

 piety. Being encouraged in this resolution by the 

 approbation of Antoinette Bourignon, he firmly ad- 

 hered to it ; and estimating the annual sum neces- 

 sary for his subsistence at 400 Dutch florins, he en- 

 deavoured to dispose of his collections, which formed 

 the only treasures that he possessed. For this pur- 

 pose, he applied to Thevenot, who, however, was 



