Sir Geoffrey Taylor's paper "Analysis of the Swimming of Microscopic Organisms" explores the movement of microscopic organisms in viscous fluids, focusing on the role of viscosity and wave propagation. Taylor begins by noting that large objects moving in air or water use inertia and resistance to move, but this concept does not apply to small organisms due to the much higher viscosity forces compared to inertial forces. The paper describes the motion of a fluid near a thin sheet where waves of lateral displacement are propagating. It is found that the sheet moves forward at a rate proportional to the square of the wave amplitude divided by the wavelength. This analysis explains how a propulsive tail can move a body through a viscous fluid without relying on inertia. The energy dissipation and stress in the tail are also calculated. Taylor extends the analysis to the interaction between the tails of two neighboring small organisms with propulsive tails. He finds that if the waves on neighboring tails are in phase, much less energy is dissipated in the fluid between them compared to when the waves are in opposite phase. Additionally, when the phase of the wave in one tail lags behind the other, there is a strong reaction due to the viscous stress in the fluid between them, which tends to force the two wave trains into phase. This phenomenon is observed in spermatozoa, where the tails wave in unison when they are close to each other and pointing in the same direction. The paper concludes by discussing the mechanical interaction between the tails of two neighboring organisms, suggesting that the pressure components in the fluid between the tails can influence the frequency of their movements. The study highlights the significant role of viscosity in the movement of microscopic organisms and provides insights into the underlying mechanisms of their swimming behavior.Sir Geoffrey Taylor's paper "Analysis of the Swimming of Microscopic Organisms" explores the movement of microscopic organisms in viscous fluids, focusing on the role of viscosity and wave propagation. Taylor begins by noting that large objects moving in air or water use inertia and resistance to move, but this concept does not apply to small organisms due to the much higher viscosity forces compared to inertial forces. The paper describes the motion of a fluid near a thin sheet where waves of lateral displacement are propagating. It is found that the sheet moves forward at a rate proportional to the square of the wave amplitude divided by the wavelength. This analysis explains how a propulsive tail can move a body through a viscous fluid without relying on inertia. The energy dissipation and stress in the tail are also calculated. Taylor extends the analysis to the interaction between the tails of two neighboring small organisms with propulsive tails. He finds that if the waves on neighboring tails are in phase, much less energy is dissipated in the fluid between them compared to when the waves are in opposite phase. Additionally, when the phase of the wave in one tail lags behind the other, there is a strong reaction due to the viscous stress in the fluid between them, which tends to force the two wave trains into phase. This phenomenon is observed in spermatozoa, where the tails wave in unison when they are close to each other and pointing in the same direction. The paper concludes by discussing the mechanical interaction between the tails of two neighboring organisms, suggesting that the pressure components in the fluid between the tails can influence the frequency of their movements. The study highlights the significant role of viscosity in the movement of microscopic organisms and provides insights into the underlying mechanisms of their swimming behavior.