Bean sprouting

Click on this image to open a larger version. From the Royal Society archive.

The Italian scientist and physician Marcello Malpighi used the microscope to examine the structure of plants, insects and animals. He discovered capillaries in 1661 and with them the “missing link” of blood circulation. Malpighi’s careful studies of biological development – here in bean seedlings – included pioneering work in embryology. The renal structures known as the Malpighi corpuscles were named after him.

The development shown in these drawings was used to illustrate educational development in the 3rd State of the Nation report.