Micrographia
Some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies Made by Magnifying Glasses with Observations and Inquiries Thereupon
Micrographia, published in 1665 under the imprimatur of the Royal Society, is Robert Hooke's record of what he saw through the compound microscope he had improved, and the first great English book of microscopy. Sixty observations move from the point of a needle, the edge of a razor and the weave of linen and silk through sparks from a flint, charcoal, petrified wood and the cells of cork, a word Hooke introduced, to moss, mould, seeds, hairs, the scales of fishes, the sting of a bee, feathers, the eyes of a fly, the flea and the louse, and finally the moon and the stars. The preface defends experiment against received authority, and the large folding plates made the book famous. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
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Frequently asked questions about Micrographia
Micrographia by Robert Hooke can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Micrographia online?
Yes. Micrographia opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Micrographia free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Micrographia is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Micrographia in the public domain?
Yes. Micrographia by Robert Hooke is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Micrographia?
About 10 h 21 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Micrographia?
Micrographia by Robert Hooke is filed under "Science & Nature" in the Vinteuil library.
