Lallaro Spallanzani * (1729-1799)

D URING the eighteenth century Italy was many times exposed to the invasions of foreign armies. Her states were transferred from one tyrannical rule to another and her university towns were often camps for hostile armies. Yet in a little group of universities in northern Italy the sciences were being hastened in their metamorphosis with more than usual speed. The din of war may have been an added stimulus to those in search of truth and new facts. Science knows no enemy but falsity; truth recognizes no boundary lines. Padua, Pavia, Bologna, and Modena at different periods in the century bloomed with the discoveries of their brilliant philosophers. In the very shadow of these institutions of learning Lazzaro SpalIanzani was born at Scandiano, J anuary I o, 1729. His father was an advocate of considerable distinction. He, rather than the mother, seems to have presided over the youth's elementary studies. His genius showed itself early, morever, as may be inferred from the fact that his youthful companions called him "the astrologer." At fifteen he went to Reggio where he studied rhetoric and philosophy under the tuition of the Jesuits. His ability attracted the attention of the Dominicans who endeavored to induce him to enter their order. Instead, his longing for knowledge Ied him to Bologna where the critical period of his learning was perhaps directed by his cousin, Laura Bassi, deservedly celebrated for her knowledge of philosophy and mathematics. Not alone was philosophy studied but also antiquity, Greek, Latin and French, and even natural history. To SpaIlanzani the thing itself was much more interesting and fascinating than anything that might have been written about it. As his father desired that law should be his profession, Spallanzani also studied law. At the point of taking his degree the ft naturalist, Antonio Valisneri of Padua;