Wrote letter of 1712-04-12 (AB 293) to Members of the Royal Society

Date:

April 12, 1712

Standard reference information

Leeuwenhoek's number:

189

Collected Letters number:

293

Collected Letters volume:

The original manuscript on five quarto pages, written and signed by Leeuwenhoek, is preserved at the Royal Society (MS. 2087. L 4. 44). A separate sheet had 3 figures in red chalk.

Leeuwenhoek's summary

Leeuwenhoek's self-publications are the source for the summaries of his 165 letters self-published and thus self-numbered letters. This letter was not among them.

Of the letters from April 4, 1702 (AB 237) through June 10, 1712 (AB 294), those letters with scientific observations, including this one, were all addressed to members of the Royal Society and almost all of them were excerpted in Philosophical Transactions.

Reception in London

The letter was read during the meeting of the Royal Society on June 12, 1712 O.S. (Royal Society, Journal Book Original, vol. II, p. 298).

A practically complete English translation by John Chamberlayne was published with 3 figures in no. 336 of Philosophical Transactions for October, November and December 1712, pp. 518-522.

The manuscript of this translation on four folio pages is preserved in London at the Royal Society (MS 2096, L.4.45).

Specimens and methods

Observations on the stucture of the genitalia of a female elephant.

On the keratinized parts of the epidermis of an elephant.

Publication history

Related sources, especially Philosophical Transactions, and first editions only of Leeuwenhoek's volumes of letters. For later editions see Related events under Learn more.

Year	Author	Title
1665	various	Philosophical Transactions
1710	Leeuwenhoek, A. van	Some Remarks upon the Disposition of the Parts, and Microscopical Observations upon the Contexture of the Skin of Elephants. In a Letter from Mr. Anthony van Leeuwenhoek, F. R. S.
2014	Leeuwenhoek, A. van	Alle de Brieven. The Collected Letters. Volume 16

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Related people:

Members of the Royal Society

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Life in Holland

in the 1600's

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in the 1600's

Wrote letter of 1712-04-12 (AB 293) to Members of the Royal Society

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Life in Holland

in the 1600's