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Among the Moss Piglets: The First Image of a Tardigrade (1773)

The very first drawing of the microscopic "water bear" by a theologian turned microscope explorer.

Also known as water bears or moss piglets, they can survive extreme temperatures and pressures, withstand radiation levels that would kill most organisms, and reanimate after long periods of desiccation or oxygen deprivation. He even found a piece of molted skin that seemed to be filled with miniature tardigrades writhing around inside eggs — an observation that he cross-checked with a number of friends in case his eyes deceived him. I am amazed by the infinite diversity of designs your wisdom used to shape every body of the animal, the bird, the fish, the insect, and the worm in a different way!” The single, carefully executed drawing of a tardigrade in Goeze’s observations communicates the mystery of these minuscule beasts, which has fascinated researchers ever since.

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