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"Is this all real? Or has this been happening inside my head?"
The topic of this article is of a real-life subject that has been mentioned "in-universe" in a canon source. The Harry Potter Wiki is written from the perspective that all information presented in canon is true (e.g., Hogwarts really existed), and, as such, details contained in this article may differ from real world facts. |
An animalcule, in the historical biological theory of preformationism, was a tiny complete version of an organism.[1] Animalcules were held to have existed from the dawn of time and were the mechanism by which animals were believed to procreate.[1]
The 2085th issue of Transfiguration Today, published in 1926, featured an article entitled "Animalcules: The truth about preformationism."[2]
Behind the scenes[]
- Animalcule comes from the Latin animalculum, for "tiny animal"
- Historically, the term "animalcules" came to light from Antonie van Leeuwenhoek's observations. A Dutch tradesman, and later incidental scientist, through his handcrafted microscopes, he was the first to observe and describe microorganisms (both unicellular and multicellular). He is commonly known as the "Father of Microbiology" for his discoveries (through correspondence published by the Royal Society, London).
Appearances[]
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (film) (First mentioned) (Mentioned on a magazine cover)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Preformationism" on Wikipedia
- ↑ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (film) (see this image)
