128 AN ASTOUNDING FACT.

medical studies, he gave every hour he could ap-
propriate to his favourite pursuit. “ Day and night
he employed himself in discovering, catching, and
examining the flying insects proper to those two
different times, not only in Holland, but in the
provinces of Guildres and of Utrecht. He ransacked,
with this view, the air, the land, and the water; ficlds,
meadows, pastures, corn fields, downs, wastes, sand-
hills; rivers, ponds, wells, lakes,seas, and their shores
and banks; trees, plants, ruins, caves, uninhabited
places, and even bog-houses, in search of eges,
worms, nymphs, and butterflies; in order to make
himself acquainted with the nests of insects, their
food, manner of living, disorders, changes or mu-
tations, and their several ways or methods of pro-
pagation; and indeed, while yet a very young
man, he had made more discoveries in regard to all
these particulars, and obtained more certainty, than
the known authors of all the preceding ages put
together. This, however incredible it may appear
to some, is notwithstanding matter of fact. Persons
properly qualified to judge of his success have
honoured it with the same testimony.” It must be
remembered that this remarkable statement is made
by Boerhaave, than whom it would be difficult to
find a more competent judge.

At the age of fourteen young Swammerdam went
to Leyden, to enjoy the advantages of its celebrated