Micrographia: Some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies Made by Magnifying Glasses with Observations and Inquiries ThereuponHooke, Robert
History
Micrographia: Some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies Made by Magnifying Glasses with Observations and Inquiries Thereupon
Hooke, Robert
Magnifying glasses -- Early works to 1800; Microscopy -- Early works to 1800; Natural history -- Pre-Linnean works
And since we find that the great reason of the _Phænomena_ of this pretty
_petrifaction_, are to be reduc’d from the gravity of a fluid and pretty
volatil body impregnated with stony particles, why may not the _Phænomena_
of Ebullition or Germination be in part possibly enough deduc’d from the
levity of an impregnated liquor, which therefore perpendicularly ascending
by degrees, evaporates and leaves the more solid and fix’d parts behind in
the form of a Mushrom, which is yet further diversify’d and specificated by
the forms of the parts that impregnated the liquor, and compose or help to
constitute the Mushrom.
That the foremention’d Figures of growing Salts, and the Silver Tree, are
from this principle, I could very easily manifest, but that I have not now
a convenient opportunity of following it, nor have I made a sufficient
number of Experiments and Observations to propound, explicate, and prove so
usefull a _Theory_ as this of Mushroms: for, though the contrary principle
to that of _petrify’d_ Iceicles may be in part a cause, yet I cannot but
think, that there is somewhat a more complicated cause, though yet
Mechanical, and possible to be explain’d.
We therefore have further to enquire of it, what makes it to be such a
liquor, and to ascend, whether the heat of the Sun and Air, or whether
that _firmentiation_ and _putrifaction_, or both together; as also
whether there be not a third or fourth; whether a Saline principle
be not a considerable agent in this business also as well as heat;
whether also a fixation, precipitation or settling of certain parts
out of the aerial menstruum may not be also a considerable coadjutor
in the business. Since we find that many pretty beards or _stiriæ_ of
the particles of Silver may be precipitated upon a piece of Brass put
into a _solution_ of Silver very much diluted with fair water, which
look not unlike a kind of mould or hoar upon that piece of metal; and
the hoar frost looks like a kind of mould; and whether there may not be
several others that do concurr to the production of a Mushrom, having
not yet had sufficient time to prosecute according to my desires,
I must refer this to a better opportunity of my own, or leave and
recommend it to the more diligent enquiry and examination of such as
can be masters both of leisure and conveniencies for such an Enquiry.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Micrographia: Some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies Made by Magnifying Glasses with Observations and Inquiries Thereupon — John Shaqi
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account