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Through a Microscope
Through a Microscope

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of Through a Microscope is here in full — 226 sentences across 46 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Samuel Wells • Curated US English Learning Edition

Chapter 2 of Through a Microscope by Samuel Wells holds 226 sentences, grouped into 46 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 2 of Through a Microscope contain?

Chapter 2 holds 226 sentences of Through a Microscope, unabridged, divided into 46 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Through a Microscope by Samuel Wells exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 226 sentences, grouped into 46 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 2 of Through a Microscope?

Work through the 46 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 46 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Through a Microscope

Common questions about reading Through a Microscope by Samuel Wells on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Through a Microscope?

Yes. All 795 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #38428 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Through a Microscope is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #38428, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Through a Microscope take to read?

About 66 minutes of reading across 159 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Through a Microscope section by section

How to work through Through a Microscope section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 3 chapters of Through a Microscope to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Through a Microscope

Words and structures a reader meets early in Through a Microscope, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Object
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Through a Microscope; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hundredth
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Through a Microscope; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Diameter
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Through a Microscope; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hundred
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Through a Microscope; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for Through a Microscope
Context Illustration Reading 1/46 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THROUGH A MICROSCOPE BY MARY TREAT IX.--THE UTRICULARIA.
It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.
They grow in ponds and swamps, some species in deep, still water, others in shallow ponds.
Fig. 1 shows a portion of the stem of _Utricularia clandestina_, natural size.
The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Through a Microscope

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of Through a Microscope is here in full — 226 sentences across 46 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/46 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THROUGH A MICROSCOPE BY MARY TREAT IX.--THE UTRICULARIA.
Line 2
It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.
Line 3
They grow in ponds and swamps, some species in deep, still water, others in shallow ponds.
Line 4
Fig. 1 shows a portion of the stem of _Utricularia clandestina_, natural size.
Line 5
The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.”

Velmora curated lexicon
THROUGH preposition US /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading “THROUGH A MICROSCOPE BY MARY TREAT IX.--THE UTRICULARIA.”

Velmora curated lexicon
Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.”

Velmora curated lexicon
All words in this reading · 74

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fig. 1 shows a portion of the stem of _Utricularia clandestina_, natural size.

Pending verification
AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THROUGH A MICROSCOPE BY MARY TREAT IX.--THE UTRICULARIA.

Velmora curated lexicon
alive

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Pending verification
all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Pending verification
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Velmora curated lexicon
animals

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Pending verification
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Velmora curated lexicon
bladders

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Pending verification
Bladderworts

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Pending verification
bringing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Pending verification
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Velmora curated lexicon
BYprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THROUGH A MICROSCOPE BY MARY TREAT IX.--THE UTRICULARIA.

Velmora curated lexicon
canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Velmora curated lexicon
capture

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Pending verification
captured

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Pending verification
clandestina

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fig. 1 shows a portion of the stem of _Utricularia clandestina_, natural size.

Pending verification
consumed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Pending verification
creatures

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Pending verification
deep

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They grow in ponds and swamps, some species in deep, still water, others in shallow ponds.

Pending verification
doing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Pending verification
even

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Pending verification
Fig

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fig. 1 shows a portion of the stem of _Utricularia clandestina_, natural size.

Pending verification
good

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Pending verification
grow

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They grow in ponds and swamps, some species in deep, still water, others in shallow ponds.

Pending verification
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Velmora curated lexicon
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading They grow in ponds and swamps, some species in deep, still water, others in shallow ponds.

Velmora curated lexicon
innocent-looking

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Pending verification
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Velmora curated lexicon
ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Velmora curated lexicon
IX

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THROUGH A MICROSCOPE BY MARY TREAT IX.--THE UTRICULARIA.

Pending verification
kill

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Pending verification
lens

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Pending verification
little

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Pending verification
MARY

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THROUGH A MICROSCOPE BY MARY TREAT IX.--THE UTRICULARIA.

Pending verification
MICROSCOPE

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THROUGH A MICROSCOPE BY MARY TREAT IX.--THE UTRICULARIA.

Pending verification
natural

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fig. 1 shows a portion of the stem of _Utricularia clandestina_, natural size.

Pending verification
nearly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Pending verification
numerous

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Pending verification
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Fig. 1 shows a portion of the stem of _Utricularia clandestina_, natural size.

Velmora curated lexicon
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Velmora curated lexicon
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Velmora curated lexicon
others

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They grow in ponds and swamps, some species in deep, still water, others in shallow ponds.

Pending verification
partly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Pending verification
plants

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Pending verification
ponds

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They grow in ponds and swamps, some species in deep, still water, others in shallow ponds.

Pending verification
portion

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fig. 1 shows a portion of the stem of _Utricularia clandestina_, natural size.

Pending verification
really

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Pending verification
see

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Pending verification
seems

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Pending verification
shallow

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They grow in ponds and swamps, some species in deep, still water, others in shallow ponds.

Pending verification
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Velmora curated lexicon
shows

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fig. 1 shows a portion of the stem of _Utricularia clandestina_, natural size.

Pending verification
size

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fig. 1 shows a portion of the stem of _Utricularia clandestina_, natural size.

Pending verification
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Velmora curated lexicon
some

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They grow in ponds and swamps, some species in deep, still water, others in shallow ponds.

Pending verification
species

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They grow in ponds and swamps, some species in deep, still water, others in shallow ponds.

Pending verification
stem

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fig. 1 shows a portion of the stem of _Utricularia clandestina_, natural size.

Pending verification
still

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They grow in ponds and swamps, some species in deep, still water, others in shallow ponds.

Pending verification
strange

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Pending verification
swamps

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They grow in ponds and swamps, some species in deep, still water, others in shallow ponds.

Pending verification
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Velmora curated lexicon
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THROUGH A MICROSCOPE BY MARY TREAT IX.--THE UTRICULARIA.

Velmora curated lexicon
thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Velmora curated lexicon
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They grow in ponds and swamps, some species in deep, still water, others in shallow ponds.

Velmora curated lexicon
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Velmora curated lexicon
THROUGHprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading THROUGH A MICROSCOPE BY MARY TREAT IX.--THE UTRICULARIA.

Velmora curated lexicon
time

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Pending verification
transparent

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Pending verification
TREAT

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THROUGH A MICROSCOPE BY MARY TREAT IX.--THE UTRICULARIA.

Pending verification
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Velmora curated lexicon
UTRICULARIA

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THROUGH A MICROSCOPE BY MARY TREAT IX.--THE UTRICULARIA.

Pending verification
water

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They grow in ponds and swamps, some species in deep, still water, others in shallow ponds.

Pending verification
whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It seems strange that innocent-looking plants should capture and kill animals; but this is really what the Bladderworts (_Utricularia_) are all the time doing.

Velmora curated lexicon
youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading The little bladders are so nearly transparent, that on bringing them under the microscope, or even under a good lens, you can see the numerous creatures that they have captured, some partly consumed, others still alive.

Velmora curated lexicon