The Microscope of Linnaeus and His Blind Spot 1

Abstract

Carl von Linne (Linnaeus) was the pioneering taxonomist of the 18th century. His microscope survives along with the collections at his former residence in Sweden, though little has been known about it. The instrument is here described and its performance is demonstrated. Curiously, Linnaeus showed little interest in, or knowledge of, microscopic organisms. Very few of his drawings portrayed minute structures and examples of those that survive are described. We also review Linnaeus’s little known booklet on microorganisms.