Observations on an aloe leaf
Date
16 September 1704
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p11
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 225mm
width (page): 348mm
width (page): 348mm
Subject
Description
14 figures in a letter by Antoni van Leeuwenhoek to the Royal Society. The back of the paper is also covered in red chalk. Leeuwenhoek had these drawings made by a draftsman.
Fig. 1: epidermic cells of an aloe leaf
Fig. 2: salt particles in the sap from the aloe leaf
Fig. 3: lower laying 'canals' in the aloe leaf with salt particles on top
Fig. 4: one of the canals laying deeper in the leaf
Figs 5-6: vascular bundles of the leaf in cross section
Fig. 7A: canals cut transversely; enlargement of cut at DH in fig. 8
Fig. 7B: oval membrane
Fig. 8: thickest part of the aloe leaf
Figs 9-13: salt particles that remain when the sap from the leaf is evaporated.
Fig. 1: epidermic cells of an aloe leaf
Fig. 2: salt particles in the sap from the aloe leaf
Fig. 3: lower laying 'canals' in the aloe leaf with salt particles on top
Fig. 4: one of the canals laying deeper in the leaf
Figs 5-6: vascular bundles of the leaf in cross section
Fig. 7A: canals cut transversely; enlargement of cut at DH in fig. 8
Fig. 7B: oval membrane
Fig. 8: thickest part of the aloe leaf
Figs 9-13: salt particles that remain when the sap from the leaf is evaporated.
Object history
The Journal Book mentions on 1 November 1704, 'Part of the Translation of a Letter from Mr Leeuwenhoek, containing many Observations made by him on the Leaves of the Chelidonium majus, was Read, and the Rest of Order'd to be read at next meeting' (JBO/11/56).
8 November 1704, 'The Remaining part of Mr Leeuwenhoecks Letter was Read. He was Order'd to be thanked' (JBO/11/56).
Printed in A. Leeuwenhoek, ‘Concerning the Tubes or Canals that Convey the Yellow Sap in the Herb Called Chelidonium Majus, or Celandine’, Phil. Trans. vol. 24, no. 293 (September and October 1704), pp. 1730-40, tab. 2, figs 1-13.
8 November 1704, 'The Remaining part of Mr Leeuwenhoecks Letter was Read. He was Order'd to be thanked' (JBO/11/56).
Printed in A. Leeuwenhoek, ‘Concerning the Tubes or Canals that Convey the Yellow Sap in the Herb Called Chelidonium Majus, or Celandine’, Phil. Trans. vol. 24, no. 293 (September and October 1704), pp. 1730-40, tab. 2, figs 1-13.
Related fellows
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (1632 - 1723, Dutch) , Naturalist
Associated place