Letter, from Antoni van Leeuwenhoek to Thomas Gale, dated at Delft

Description

Signed autograph
Observations of beer whilst it ferments; microscopic observations of yeast; observations of the formation of carbonic acid; experiments with micro-organisms will reproduce in infused pepper-water kept in hermetically-sealed tubes (this led to the discovery of bacteria in general and the existence of anaerobic bacteria)
Three figures - two red-chalk figures of yeast cells and one of a glass tube for determining the presence of micro-organisms in fluids drawn in ink
See partial translation EL/L1/58
Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, vol 3, p 243
B&W negative, red chalk drawing of yeast cells. IM/005319

Reference number

EL/L1/57

Earliest possible date

14 June 1680

Page extent

6 pages

Format

Manuscript

Also available on Early Modern Letters Online

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