Word: pulicaria
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Dates: during 1885-1885
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...beginning of the microscope of to-day is traceable to the small, single lens instrument of the sixteenth century, called at the time Vita pulicaria, or flea-glass, because by its aid the true beauty of the flea, in outline and detail, was first brought clearly before the public eye. Aside from the great advantage accruing to mankind from a just appreciation of the flea, the learned men of the time declared that, with this wonderful machine, they had discovered many new monsters; and one savant affirmed that he had seen the devil himself...
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