"[W]e shall begin with a Physical point; of which kind the Point of a Needle commonly reckon 'd for one. ...But if view'd with a very good Microscope, we may find that the top of a Needle (though as to the sense very sharp) appears a broad, blunt, and very irregular end; not resembling a Cone, as is imagin'd, but onely a piece of a tapering body, with a great part of the top remov'd, or deficient. ...[T]he Points of the most curious Mathematical Instruments do very seldome arrive at so great a sharpness; how much therefore can be built upon demonstrations made onely by the productions of the Ruler and Compasses, he will be better able to consider that shall but view those points and lines with a Microscope."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Imported from EN Wikiquote
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Micrographia
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Micrographia
40 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Micrographia →
Related Quotes
"By the addition of... artificial Instruments and methods, there may be, in some manner, a reparation made for the mis…"
"[T]he limits, to which our thoughts are confin'd, are small in respect of the vast extent of Nature it self; some par…"
"[A]ll the uncertainty, and mistakes of humane actions, proceed either from the narrowness and wandring of our Senses,…"
"[T]he footsteps of Nature are to be trac'd, not only in her ordinary course, but when she seems to be put to her shif…"
"[T]he dissolving parts of the Air are but few, that is, it seems of the nature of those Saline menstruums, or spirits…"
"The next care to be taken, in respect of the Senses, is a supplying of their infirmities with Instruments, and, as it…"
"It seems not improbable, but that by these helps the subtilty of the composition of Bodies, the structure of their pa…"
"[W]e may perhaps be inabled to discern all the secret workings of Nature, almost in the same manner as we do those th…"
"I here present to the World my imperfect lndeavours; which though they shall prove no other way considerable, yet, I …"
"[A]s there are these several parts that will rarifie and fly, or be driven up by the heat, so are there many others, …"