Observations of duckweed
Date
25 December 1702
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p13
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 154mm
width (page): 175mm
width (page): 175mm
Subject
Description
Seven figures in a letter by Antoni van Leeuwenhoek to the Royal Society. The images were made by a draftsman.
Fig. 1: duckweed plant of of normal size, as observed with the naked eye by the draftsman.
Fig. 2: duckweed plant when floating in a glass tube so that the roots become visible.
Fig. 3: a small part of the root of a duckweed plant as it was observed through the microscope by the draftsman.
Fig. 4: an animalcule, twice as large as it appears seen by the naked eye.
Fig. 5: a tentacle of the animalcule.
Fig. 6: an extended tentacle of the animalcule.
Fig. 7: an unborn duckweed plant taken from a half-grown one (say the size of C in fig. 1).
Fig. 1: duckweed plant of of normal size, as observed with the naked eye by the draftsman.
Fig. 2: duckweed plant when floating in a glass tube so that the roots become visible.
Fig. 3: a small part of the root of a duckweed plant as it was observed through the microscope by the draftsman.
Fig. 4: an animalcule, twice as large as it appears seen by the naked eye.
Fig. 5: a tentacle of the animalcule.
Fig. 6: an extended tentacle of the animalcule.
Fig. 7: an unborn duckweed plant taken from a half-grown one (say the size of C in fig. 1).
Object history
The Journal Book mentions on 17 February 1702/3, 'The Translation of a Letter from Mr Leeuwenhoeck, concerning a Water-Weed, & Animalcula growing to it, was Read. He was Order'd to be thanked, as also was Mr. Chamberlayne who translated it' (JBO/11/12).
Printed in:
A. Leeuwenhoek, ‘Green weeds growing in water, and some animalcula found about them’, Phil. Trans. vol. 23, no. 283 (January and February 1703), pp. 1304-11. Figs 6-12.
Printed in:
A. Leeuwenhoek, ‘Green weeds growing in water, and some animalcula found about them’, Phil. Trans. vol. 23, no. 283 (January and February 1703), pp. 1304-11. Figs 6-12.
Related fellows
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (1632 - 1723, Dutch) , Naturalist
Associated place