Observationes circa viventia, quae in rebus non viventibus reperiuntur cum micrographia curiosa

inscribed. I have added microscopic observations; but I have not added to your honors in the manner of those who flatter, even though I am accustomed to the microscope. The Republic of Letters an intellectual community of scholars and scientists was indeed astounded when Galileo moved the heavens closer to their eyes with his new tube machine original: "Tubi machina" — referring to the telescope and showed them new stars; it is even more astounded day by day as, through the aid of the microscope, many things are revealed that were previously completely unseen, some due to their small size, others due to their distance. But when the eye is filled with a near image of things, they are presented without the paint of flattery or any artifice.

Therefore, I offer this small literary gift as a pledge of my respect to you. It is indeed a meager thing, but the amber draws straw to itself, and the magnet couples the useless iron filings to itself. You deigned to look upon it with a kindly aspect while it was still unformed; why would you not bestow the same favor now that it has been brought to a better form? This is a great [act] of humanity.

A printer’s ornament consisting of two asterisks.