Page:Lives of British Physicians.djvu/64

 48 BRITISH PHYSICIANS. College, in the room of Dr. Nathaniel Brent, who, in compliance with the prevailing party, had left the University, and taken the covenant. It is related of him, that, during his stay at Oxford, he was in the habit of visiting George Bathurst, B.D., at Trinity College, who had a hen to hatch eggs in his chambers, which they daily opened to see the progress and way of generation. This was a very favourite study with Harvey, and forms the subject of his other great work, second only in importance to his doctrine of the circulation of the blood. The method above mentioned, of illustrating this obscure function, he had adopted, because, to use his own words, " Eggs were a cheap mer- chandise, and were at hand at all times and in all places ; and it was an easy matter to observe out of them what are the first evident and distinct works of generation ; what progress Nature makes in formation, and with what wonderful providence she governs the whole work." At Oxford, where his stay must have exceeded three years, he became acquainted with a young physician. Dr. Charles Scarborough, who was afterwards knighted by Charles II. Harvey de- lighted much in the conversation of Scarborough, who was, however, in those troublesome times, much disposed to neglect his medical studies for the more brilhant profession of arms. To check this military ardour, Harvey took the young doctor, and accommodated him with a lodging in his own apartment, saying, " Prithee, leave off thy gun- ning, and stay here ; I will bring thee into practice."