( P07 > 
In (hort, Sir, f-ean't imagine how men dare not only 
to invent ^ fuch ridiculous Stories, bnt alio pubjifli the 
fame in Print, in order to amufe weak heads with an ac- 
count of fuch wonderful GlafTes. For if the Perfpirations 
of our Bodies could be feen by fuch Glaffes, what difco- 
veries taight be made in the Animalcula in Semine Mafai* 
lino^ for whereas I can only now with themoft exadl ob- 
fervations, difcover the tails of the Animalcula in the 
Male Seed of Filhes, if I had fuch a Glafs, I fancy I (hould 
fee their tails fo large and fo thick, that I ftiould eafily 
perceive the feveral joynts in each tail, and the infinite 
Mufcle$ in every Joynt, for fuch without doubt there are 
in all Bodies. 
As for me, I have often taken feveral forts of raoift 
Matters,and laid them on a Glafs clean as could pofTibly be 
made,aadviewed them,asalfo the breathings of my mouthy 
and by the help of my Microfcopes, I could fee their fine 
fubtle parts rifing up from the Glafs like clouds, and at la-ft 
quite vani(h,lb that I could not perceive the leaft remnant 
of them ^ and finally, I am abfolutely of opinion, thattho 
I could fee the Effluvia of Bodies, that were a thoufand 
Millions of times fmaller than thofe, yet I (hould not be 
able to perceive the Pes-fpirations of Bodies, and much lefs 
the imaginary influences of the Stars. 
My mofl: humble intreaty is, that if you can get any in- 
formation of thefe famous, but unconceivable Glaffes, you 
would pleafe to tranfmit me an account thereof, and in 
fo doing you would moft highly oblige, 
Sir 
ToHY mo[i hnmble Servain^ 
Antony van Leeuwenhoek. 
G g S S g g 
VL A 
