Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Entomology.djvu/23

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MEMOIR OF SWAMMERDAM.[1]


Every one whose attention has been turned, however cursorily, to the history of physiology or of natural science, must be familiar with the name of John Swammerdam. He revealed so many important facts in the structure and functions of the lower animals, and investigated their anatomy with such consummate skill, and scrupulous anxiety to discover the truth, that he is continually referred to as one of the highest authorities that can he cited. Indeed, he may he said to have laid the foundation of all true

  1. Our most diligent researches not having been successful in procuring a portrait of Swammerdam, although we have reason to believe that either a medal or an engraving exists, we have been compelled to deviate slightly from our usual practice, and present the memoir without that appropriate accompaniment. To preserve the uniformity of our plan, and still further to enrich our portrait gallery, we have prefixed a likeness of that distinguished entomologist. Baron de Geer, a sketch of whose life has accordingly been added. The latter is necessarily very brief, both on account of our space being exhausted, and because materials are not to be found for a detailed biography.