46 DIATOMS 
myriads, organisms that have lived longer in the world than 
nian, and have done more to change the face of the earth 
than some of the strongest animals, or than has been 
brought about by all the engineering skill of man himself. 
Moreover, to the study of germ life antiseptic surgery is in- 
directly due; and study of the Diatomacez more directly 
led to knowledge of the Bacteria and to the new pathology 
that has done much to relieve human suffering. 
Bacon, three centuries since, wrote: ‘‘ Huma know- 
ledge hath hitherto been determined by the view or sight ; 
so that whatsoever is invisible, either in respect to the fine- 
ness Of the body itself, or the smallness of the parts, or of 
the subtilty of its motion, is little inquired into; and yet 
these be the things that govern nature principally.’’ These 
are words to remember, as is the comment on them by 
Bacon’s pupil, Dr. Power : ‘‘ How much, therefore, are we 
obliged to the industry that of late hath discovered the 
advantageous artifice of glasses, and furnished our necessi- 
ties with such artificial eyes, that now neither the fineness 
of the body, nor the smallness of the parts, nor the subtilty 
of its motion, can secure them from our discovery.’’ 
