A
microscope brings us, as it were, into a new world: it presents us with a
new scene of visible objects quite different from what we behold with the
naked eye. But herein consists the most remarkable difference, to wit,
that whereas the objects perceived by the eye alone have a certain
connexion with tangible objects, whereby we are taught to foresee what
will ensue upon the approach or application of distant objects to the
parts of our own body, which much conduceth to its preservation, there is
not the like connexion between things tangible and those visible objects
that are perceived by help of a fine microscope.
86. Hence it is evident that were our eyes turned into the nature of
microscopes, we should not be much benefited by the change; we should be
deprived of the forementioned advantage we at present receive by the
visive faculty, and have left us only the empty amusement of seeing,
without any other benefit arising from it. But in that case, it will
perhaps be said, our sight would be endued with a far greater sharpness
and penetration than it now hath. But it is certain from what we have
already shown that the MINIMUM VISIBILE is never greater or lesser, but
in all cases constantly the same: and in the case of microscopical eyes I
see only this difference, to wit, that upon the ceasing of a certain
observable connexion betwixt the divers perceptions of sight and touch,
which before enabled us to regulate our actions by the eye, it would now
be rendered utterly unserviceable to that purpose.
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