An example of analogy in historical writing about science,
"For nature is set a going by the most subtle and hidden instruments; which it may be have nothing obvious which resembles them. Hence judging by visible appearances, we are discouraged by supposed impossibilities which to nature are none, but within her sphere of action. And therefore what spews only the outside, and sensible structure of nature; is not likely to help us in finding out the magnalia. 'Twere next to impossible for one, who never saw the inward wheels and motions, to make a watch upon the bare view of the circle of hours, and index: and 'tis as difficult to trace natural operations to any practical advantage, by the sight of the cortex of sensible appearances. He were a poor physician, that had no more anatomy, than were to be gathered from the physnomy. Yea, the most common phenomena can be neither known, nor improved, without insight into the more hidden frame. For nature works by an invisible hand in all things: and till Peripateticism can shew us further, than those gross solutions of qualifies and elements; 'twill never make us benefactors to the world, nor considerable discoverers. But its experienced sterility through so many hundred years, drives hope to desperation."
Joseph Glanvill (1661) Scepsis Scientifica; or, The Vanity of Dogmatizing.
Glanvill here draws two analogies for the investigation of nature – relating to watchmaking and medicine. Modern science includes the existence at the nanoscale of quantum objects(/events) which are quite unlike familiar objects of the everyday scale: "most subtle and hidden instruments; which it may be have nothing obvious which resembles them" indeed.
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Nature is personified as a 'her',
Read about personification in science texts
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