The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

[ Previous ][ Next ]

Jan Swammerdam (12 Feb 1637 - 17 Feb 1680)

Biologist and anatomist and collector of insects. He studied medicine a Leiden University. His father was an apothecary and collector of curiosities. Other biography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swammerdam Authority - early modern
Collector (minor)
Relevant locations: Birth place in Amsterdam, North Holland
Educated at Leiden University, Leiden
Linked print sources: as Author (in assoc. with a ms or print source) - Extracts of three letters: The one of M. Hugens, about a new invention of very exact and portative watches, serving to find the longitudes both at sea and Land: The second, of Dr . Swammerdam, touching an un-usual rupture of the the mercentery: The third, containing some observations of Mr. Lister about the star-stones; together with Mr Rays annotations thereon.
as Author (in assoc. with a ms or print source) - Extracts of two letters of Dr. Swammerdam, concerning some animals, that having lungs are yet found to be without the arterious vein; together with some other curious particulars.
References in Documents:
Grew, Musaeum Regalis (1685)

The GALL BLADDER, together with the VASA BILARIABILIARIA, taken out of the Liver, and filled with soft red Wax. Performed, and given by Dr. Swammerdam.

Grew, Musaeum Regalis (1685)

The WOMB of a WOMAN, blown up and dried. Together with the Spermatick Vessels annexed; and the Arteries in the bottom of the Uterus, undulated like the Claspers of a Vine; all filled up with soft Wax. Also the Membranous and Round Ligaments of the Womb, the Ureters, Bladder, Clitoris, Nymphae, Hymen, Fallopian Tube, and the Ovarys, commonly called the Testicles; all made most curiously visibly, and given by Dr. Swammerdam. The Descriptions and Figures hereof may be seen in the same Authors Book, printed at Leyden, 1672. and presented to the Royal Society.

Grew, Musaeum Regalis (1685)

The SKREW-GUT of the RAJA, described by Steno's Son. Sent by Dr. Swammerdam with some other particulars mention'd in the first Section. It winds between parallel lines like a Screw or Stair-case.

Grew, Musaeum Regalis (1685)

The TODDY-FLY. Taurus volans Marggravii Quartus, or Nasicornis Diceros. This here came from Guinea. 'Tis very well described by the said Author. Except, that he doth not well compare the Eyes to a Hemp-seed: for they are not only Sphærical, but as big as a well grown green Peas. But that shelly-Guard, which, as it were, hoops in the Eye, and hides the greater part of it, unless you lay the Insect on his Back, might occasion his mistake. He hath but two Horns, yet those great ones. A Snout-Horn bended and toothed upward, and a Shoulder-Horn bended downward. From the end of which to the end of his Tail, about five inches. But he is not so broad as the Great Bull-Chafer.

Thirty or forty of these together, rasping or sawing off part of the Barque of the Toddy-Tree by the help of their Snout-Horn, will drink themselves drunk with the liquor that flows from it: from whence their English Name. For which purpose, Nature hath well placed the Teeth of the said Horn, above: for that here, the Work is not done, as by a Man in sawing, by the weight of the Animal, which is inconsiderable; but by the strength of his Legs, which force the Horn upward.

See the Description of the Parts subserving to Generation in the Philos. Transact. N. 94. Communicated by Dr. Swammerdam.

Grew, Musaeum Regalis (1685) A List of those who have Contributed to this Musæum: excepting some Names which are lost. His Highness Prince RUPERT, Count Palatine of the Rhine. THomasThomas Allen M. D. John Aubrey Esq. WILLIAM L. Visc. BROUNCKER. Hon. ROBERT BOYLE, Esq. Dr. Erasmus Bartholine. John Bembde Esq. Sign. Paul Boccone. Mons. Olaus Borrichius. Joseph Bowles Merch. Sir Thomas Brown Edward Brown. M. D. JONH JOHN late Lord B. of CHESTER. EAST-INDIA COMPANY. ROYAL AFRICAN COMPANY. Walter Charleton M. D. Walter Chetwynd Esq. Andrew Clench M. D. Samuel Colepress, Esq. Thomas Cox, Esq. Edward Cotton M. D. Thomas Crispe Esq. Ellis Crispe, Esq. William Crone M. D. John Evelyn Esq. George Ent Esq. Captain Thomas Fissenden. Nehemjah Grew M. D. Hon. CHARLES HOWARD of N. Esq. Theodore Haac Esq. Thomas Henshaw Esq. Abraham Hill Esq. Mr. Hocknel. Luke Hodgson M. D. Robert Hook Geom. Pr. Anthony Horneck B. D. Sir John Hoskins. John Houghton Pharm. L. Edmund King M. D. Mons. Lannoy. Mr. Langerman Mr. Linger. Fath. Hieronim. Lobus. Richard Lower M. D. Martyn Lyster Esq. Mr. John Malling. Sign. Malpighi. Christopher Merret M. D. Sir Thomas Millington. Sir Jonas Moore. Sir Robert Moray. Mr. S. Morgan. HENRY Duke of NORFOLK. Walter Needham M. D. Isaac Newton Math. Prof. Henry Oldenburge Esq. Philip Packer Esq. Dudley Palmer Esq. Sir William Petty. Robert Plot L L. D. Walter Pope M. D. Thomas Povey Esq. SETH Lord B. of SALISBURY. Mr. Scotto Merch. Mr. John Short. Sir Philip Skippon. Francis Slare M. D. George Smith M. D. Mr. John Somner. Sir Robert Southwell. Dr. Swammerdam. Captain Tayler. George Trumbal T. D. Edward Tyson M. D. WILLIAM late L. WILLOUGHBY of Parham. Sir Christopher Wren P. R. S. George Wheeler Esq. Daniel Whistler, M. D. Henry Whistler Esq. Sir Joseph Williamson. Francis Willughby Esq. John Winthrop Esq. Robert Witty M. D.
Selections from Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (1665-1669) A Letter of Mr. Martin Lister, written at York August 25 1671. confirming the Observation in No 74. about Musk sented Insects; adding some Notes upon D. Swammerdam's book of Insects, and on that of M. Steno concerning Petrify'd Shells.