Just look at that sun!

V0025642 Credit: Wellcome Library, London

A red-faced sun rises above a city; stunted trees stand in the foreground; representing either the culmination of the alchemical Great Work or the star of hope that inspires the alchemist through his tribulation; from Salomon Trismosin’s ‘Splendor solis’. Watercolour painting.
after: Salomon Trismosin

Collection: Iconographic Collections
Library reference no.: ICV No 26091
Full Bibliographic Record Link to Wellcome Library Catalogue

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It’s National Vegetarian Week

B0007826 Credit Daniel J. Geduld, Wellcome Images
Lettuce leaf
Light micrograph showing the close up structure of a lettace leaf. Lettuce is a leaf vegetable that is a source of vitamin A and folic acid. It also contains Lactucarium (the milky fluid secreted in most forms of lettace). It is thought to have sedative and analgesic properties.

Copyrighted work available under Creative Commons by-nc 2.0 UK: England & Wales, see http://images.wellcome.ac.uk/indexplus/page/Prices.html

It’s National Vegetarian Week

B0007830 Credit Daniel J. Geduld, Wellcome Images
Tomato skin
Light micrograph showing close up structure of tomato skin. Tomatoes have been reported to have a number of health benefits. They contain vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin K as well as high levels of a number of carotenoids. Lycopene is a carotenoid that is found in high levels in the skin of the tomato fruit and is responsible for the red colouring; it is also an antioxidant and has been suggested to protect the skin from UV and sun damage.

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It’s National Vegetarian Week!

V0011125 Credit: Wellcome Library, London
A man in bed with vegetables sprouting from all parts of his body; as a result of taking J. Morison’s vegetable pills.
Coloured Lithograph 1831 By: C. J. Grant
Collection: Iconographic Collections
Library reference no.: ICV No 11387
Full Bibliographic Record Link to Wellcome Library Catalogue

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International Day for Biological Diversity 2012: Marine Biodiversity

V0022783 Credit: Wellcome Library, London
Thirteen types of crab and two other marine crustaceans. Engraving by I. Taylor.
after: I. Taylor

Collection: Iconographic Collections
Library reference no.: ICV No 23210
Full Bibliographic Record Link to Wellcome Library Catalogue

Copyrighted work available under Creative Commons by-nc 2.0 UK: England & Wales, see http://images.wellcome.ac.uk/indexplus/page/Prices.html

International Day for Biological Diversity 2012: Marine Biodiversity

V0022099 Credit: Wellcome Library, London
A variety of marine animals, including a lobster, a crab and an eel. Etching.
Collection: Iconographic Collections
Library reference no: ICV No 22521
Full Bibliographic Record Link to Wellcome Library Catalogue

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International Day for Biological Diversity 2012: Marine Biodiversity

B0007769 Credit Dr Steve Wilson, Wellcome Images
Cavefish embryo
Confocal micrograph of a blind cavefish embryo at around five days post-fertilisation viewed from the side (lateral view). The cavefish Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus) has a seeing and a blind form; the latter lives in dark environments, and relies on other senses.

with an antibody that targets a calcium binding protein (calretinin) shown in green, which highlights different neuronal types and their processes in the nervous system. The blind cavefish has specially adapted traits that its sighted relation (dwelling near the surface) does not. These include a greater number of sensory receptors and taste buds along its body; these taste buds are also more efficient than the equivalent cells in the seeing cavefish.

The eyes are still present at this stage of development but they will degenerate naturally during the lifetime of the fish as they live in a dark environment where eyes are redundant. Adult cavefish are blind.

2011 Wellcome Image Award winner.
Confocal micrograph
Collection: Wellcome Images

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It’s National Vegetarian Week!

Portrait of William Lambe M.D. - pioneer of vegetarianism.

L0067073 Credit: Wellcome Library, London.

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Can you guess what it is yet?

Scanning electron micrograph of inner surface of lung, showing close-up of alveoli, computer-coloured red/pink. That was last week’s mystery image.

Part Twelve: ?

The largest organ of the body. Easy!

Can you guess what it is yet?

Ruth ~~Milne~~ Harris, Wellcome Images

Image credit: Ivor Mason, UCL, Wellcome Images

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The first international “Fascination of Plants Day”

B0007193 Credit Annie Cavanagh, Wellcome Images

Grains of pollen from an impatiens plant, also known as Busy Lizzie.
Scanning electron micrograph
Collection: Wellcome Images

Copyrighted work available under Creative Commons by-nc-nd 2.0 UK: England & Wales, see http://images.wellcome.ac.uk/indexplus/page/Prices.html