Transcriber’s Notes Text printed in italics has been transcribed between _underscores_. Small capitals have been replaced with ALL CAPITALS. ^{text} represents superscript text. More Transcriber’s Notes may be found at the end of this text. ESSAYS ON THE MICROSCOPE. [Illustration: _T.S. Duché pinxit_ _Truth discovering to Time, Science instructing her Children in the Improvements on the Microscope._ _London, Published July 1.^{st} 1787, by Geo.^{e} Adams, N.^{o} 60 Fleet Street._] ESSAYS ON THE MICROSCOPE; CONTAINING A PRACTICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE MOST IMPROVED _MICROSCOPES_; A GENERAL HISTORY OF INSECTS, THEIR TRANSFORMATIONS, PECULIAR HABITS, AND ŒCONOMY: AN ACCOUNT OF THE VARIOUS SPECIES, AND SINGULAR PROPERTIES, OF THE HYDRÆ AND VORTICELLÆ: A DESCRIPTION OF THREE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-THREE ANIMALCULA: WITH A CONCISE CATALOGUE OF INTERESTING OBJECTS: A VIEW OF THE ORGANIZATION OF TIMBER, AND THE CONFIGURATION OF SALTS, WHEN UNDER THE MICROSCOPE. _ILLUSTRATED WITH THIRTY-TWO FOLIO PLATES_ BY THE LATE GEORGE ADAMS, MATHEMATICAL INSTRUMENT MAKER TO HIS MAJESTY, &c. THE SECOND EDITION, WITH CONSIDERABLE ADDITIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS, BY FREDERICK KANMACHER, F. L. S. LONDON: PRINTED BY DILLON AND KEATING, FOR THE EDITOR; AND FOR W. AND S. JONES, HOLBORN. MDCCXCVIII. PRICE 1_l._ 8_s._ IN BOARDS. TO THE KING. SIR, Every work that tends to enlarge the boundaries of science has a peculiar claim to the protection of Kings. He that diffuses science, civilizes man, opens the inlets to his happiness, and co-operates with the Fountain and Source of all knowledge. By science truth is advanced; and of DIVINE TRUTH Kings are the representatives. The work which I have now the honour to present to YOUR MAJESTY, calls the attention of the reader to those laws of Divine order by which the universe is governed and supported; in it we find that the minutest beings share in the protection, and triumph in the bounty of the Sovereign of all things: that the infinitely small manifest to the astonished eye the same proportion, regularity and design, which are conspicuous to the unassisted sight in the larger parts of creation. By finding all things formed in beauty, and produced for use, the mind is raised from the fleeting and evanescent appearances of matter, to contemplate the permanent principles of truth, and acknowledge that the whole proceeds from the wisdom that originates in love. It was by YOUR MAJESTY’S goodness and gracious patronage that I was first induced to undertake a description of mathematical and philosophical instruments, that I might thereby facilitate the attainment of those sciences that are connected with them, and by shewing what was already obtained, excite emulation, and quicken invention. It is to the same goodness that I am indebted for this opportunity of subscribing myself,