JB/135/267/001

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1821. July 30 M
Posology.

80
Proportions — mode of ascertaining

4

13.
As to quantity
man the natural
and original
standard of reference.

In regard to quantity, whether it be of extent
or of number, in all conceptions formed of it, in all endeavours
employed to take measure of it, man himself the quantity
of extent observed in him — the number of the determinate
parts at all times observable in him, are to himself the natural
and only original standards of reference.

14.
As the instruments
for measuring magnitudes
are more perfect
he learns not only to
distinguish more accurately
between different objects,
but obtains
perceptions of many
which were till then
imperceptible, animalcules
&c.

As the instruments employed by him for observing
and measuring magnitudes acquire greater and greater perfection,
i.e. become better and better adapted to their respective
purposes, he obtains learns — not only to distinguish, with greater accuracy,
the difference in respect of quantity between different objects,
but obtains perceptions of many of which, whether by remoteness
of by smallness with reference to the objects to the perception
of which his senses are best adapted, were till then situated out
of the reach of his perceptions. He thus obtains the perception of
objects which, notwithstanding their vast magnitude in comparison
of those his own body, and such others as are familiar to his
view were by their vast distance till then rendered imperceptible
to him. On the other hand, he obtains perception of other bodies
which, by their smallness, had been rendered imperceptible to
him. Witness the animalcules brought to view by the infusion
of different substances in water.

15.
Curious if possible
to learn the point of
smallness to which
termination on the
side of smallness
in the scale of living
beings.

It would be curious, were it possible, to learn by observation
the point, if any, at which the scale of self-moving
and sentient beings terminated on the side of smallness. Whether,
for example, as we have our parasitical animals by which
our bodies are fed upon and annoyed, those animals have, in
like manner, their parasites: those parasites, theirs: and so on
to an indefinite length.

Identifier: | JB/135/267/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 135.
Date_1	1821-07-30	Marginal Summary Numbering	13-15
Box	135	Main Headings	posology
Folio number	267	Info in main headings field	posology
Image	001	Titles
Category	copy/fair copy sheet	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering	e40 / g80
Penner	john flowerdew colls	Watermarks	c wilmott 1819
Marginals	richard doane	Paper Producer	andreas louriottis
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year	1819
Notes public		ID Number	46385
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