Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/257

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Ancient and Modern Learning.
217
gining that the Blood ouzes out of the Arteries, and is absorbed by the Veins, whose small Orifices receive it, as it lies in the Fibres of the Muscles, or in the Parenchyma's of the Bowels: Which Opinion has been generally received by most Anatomists since Dr. Harvey's Time. But Monsieur Leeuwenhoek has lately found in several sorts of Fishes (f),(f) Letter 65, 66. which were more manageable by his Glasses than other Animals, That Arteries and Veins are really continued Syphons variously wound about each other towards their Extremities in numberless Mazes, over all the Body; and others have found (g)(g) Philos. Transact. numb. 177. what he says to be very true in a Water Newt. So that this Discovery has passed uncontested. And since it has been constantly found, that Nature follows like Methods in all sorts of Animals, where she uses the same sorts of Instruments, it will always be believed, That the Blood circulates in Men after the same Manner as it does in Eels, Perches, Pikes, Carps, Bats, and some other Creatures, in which Monsieur Leeuwenhoek tried it. Though the Ways how it may be visible to the Eye in Men, have not, that I know of, been yet discovered. However this visible Circulation of the Blood in these Creatures effectually removes Sir William Temple's

Scruple,