Extracts from Micrographia, or, Some physiological descriptions of minute bodies made by magnifying glasses with observations and inquiries thereupon / by R. Hooke. (1665).

  • Hooke, Robert, 1635-1703.
Date:
1902
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: Extracts from Micrographia, or, Some physiological descriptions of minute bodies made by magnifying glasses with observations and inquiries thereupon / by R. Hooke. (1665). Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    particle of its matter, we now behold almost as great a variety of Creatures, as we were able before to reckon up in the whole Universe it self. It seems not improbable, but that by these heljDS the subtilty of the composition of Bodies, the structure of their parts, the various texture of their matter, the instru- ments and manner of their inward motions, and all the other possible appearances of things, may come to be more fully discovered ; all which the antient Peripateticks were content to comprehend in two general and (unless further explain’d) useless words of Matter and Form. From whence there may arise many admirable advan- tages, towards the increase of the Operative., and the Mechanick Knowledge, to which this Age seems so much inclined, because we may perhaps be inabled to discern all the secret workings of Nature, almost in the same manner as we do those that are the productions of Art, and are manag’d by Wheels, and Engines, and Springs, that were devised by humane Wit. In this kind I here present to the World my imperfect Indeavours ; which though they shall prove no other way considerable, yet, I hope, they may be in some measure useful to the main Design of a refor))iation in Philosophy, if it be only by shewing, that there is not so much requir’d towards it, any strength of Imagination, or exactness of Method, or depth of Contemplatio7i (though the addition of these, where they can be had, must needs produce a much more perfect composure) as a sincere Ha?id, and a faithful Eye, to examine, and to record, the things them- selves as they appear. And I beg my Reader, to let me take the boldness to assure him, that in this present condition of knowledge, a man so qualified, as I have indeavoured to be, only with resolution, and integrity, and plain intentions of imploying his Se?ises aright, may venture to compare the