An example of a simile used by a scientist:
"If we ever succeed in obtaining a complete picture of the organism in that aspect, we can then construct a theory of all its functions. Logically too the concept of structure serves as a surer starting point, because it at once prescribes a definite direction for research and furnished biology with an Archimedean fulcrum, as it were."
Ernst Cassirer
Cassirer, E. (1950/1978). The Problem of Knowledge. Philosophy, Science, & History since Hegel (W. H. Woglom & C. W. Hendel, Trans.). Yale University Press.
Cassirer was discussing the ideas of Johannes von Uexküll.
I have classified this as a simile, rather than a metaphor due to the term 'as it were' indicating the figuratiuve nature of the comparison.
Read about examples of science similes
Many examples of science similes are listed in 'Creative Comparisons: Making Science Familiar through Language. An illustrative catalogue of figurative comparisons and analogies for science concepts'. Free Download.
