| RefNo | EL/L1/29 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter, from Antoni van Leeuwenhoek to Henry Oldenburg, dated at Delft |
| Creator | Leeuwenhoek; Antoni van (1632-1723); tradesman and microscopist |
| Date | 5 October 1677 |
| Description | Signed autograph
Theory for the existence of different skin colours; observations of the reproduction of eels and their blood; observations of the reproduction of lice; compares the larvae of fleas with silk-worms; discusses Mr Swammerdam's views on fleas; demonstrating a grain of millet as a measure of capacity and states that he sends 8 testimonials about this (inserted after EL/L1/30); numbers of organisms living in a drop of water
Testimonials from Benedict Haan, Henry Cordes, R Gordon, J Boogert, Robert Poitevin, WV Burch, Albert Hodenpijl, Alex Petrie (in Latin, Dutch and English) as witnesses to Leeuwenhoek's demonstrations
Translation of letter in Latin see EL/L1/30
Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, vol 2, p 237
For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 13, p 348 |
| Language | English |
| Latin |
| Dutch |
| Extent | 14p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| Place origin | Delft, South Holland, (United Provinces) Netherlands |
| Origin coordinates | 52.00667, 4.35556 |
| Digital images | View item on Science in the Making |
| AccessStatus | Open |
| RelatedRecord | EL/L1/30 |
| URLDescription | Also available on Early Modern Letters Online |
| URL | http://emlo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/profile/work/325103ae-74b3-43e4-be91-f1215cc799f0 |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA8001 | Oldenburg; Henry (c1619 - 1677); scientific correspondent | c1619 - 1677 |
| NA8438 | van Leeuwenhoek; Antoni (1632 - 1723); tradesman and microscopist | 1632 - 1723 |