Sperm theories discussed by van Leeuwenhoek, described in a letter of 1699. The figures show a sperm cell (left) and two human-shaped homunculus figur
Sperm theories discussed by van Leeuwenhoek, described in a letter of 1699. The figures show a sperm cell (left) and two human-shaped homunculus figures as sperm cells. This theory was proposed by Dalenpatius (Francois de Plantade) but rejected by Dutch scientist Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) who was the first person to observe sperm (1677). Van Leeuwenhoek built his own microscopes and wrote hundreds of letters detailing his discoveries. This sperm theory is discussed in Letter 116 to members of the Royal Society, written on 9 June 1699. The figures are here shown overlying part of the text from Letter 113, which van Leeuwenhoek wrote to defend his claim to be the first person to see sperm. This page is from a collection of van Leeuwenhoek's letters to the Royal Society: 'Sevende Vervolg' (1702).
Size: 3010px × 4134px
Photo credit: © LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, RARE BOOK AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DIVISION/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -, 1600s, 1699, 17th, aan, anatomical, anatomy, antonie, artwork, biological, biology, book, brieven, cell, century, correspondence, dalenpatius, de, der, dutch, european, figures, francois, gamete, geschreven, homunculi, homunculus, human, hypothesis, illustration, koninglijke, leeuwenhoek, letters, londen, microbiological, microbiology, microscopy, page, plantade, publication, reproduction, reproductive, research, sevende, sex, societeit, sperm, spermatozoa, theories, theory, van, vervolg, wytvermaarde
