HOW TO WORK 



WITH 



THE MICROSCOPE 



INTRODUCTION. 



1. Importance of Microscopical Manipulation. Manual dex- 

 terity, although subordinate to many higher qualifications, is abso- 

 lutely necessary to the successful prosecution of every kind of 

 experimental science. It greatly assists us in the discovery of new 

 methods of enquiry, and in devising ingenious ways by which 

 difficulties may be surmounted. Without skilful manipulation, we 

 can neither teach by demonstration facts which have been already 

 discovered, nor hope to extend the bounds of existing scientific 

 knowledge. It is not therefore surprising that many of the most 

 important facts which have been recently added to microscopical 

 science, have been discovered by men who had previously well 

 trained themselves in experimental investigation, particularly in 

 practical chemistry ; who had learnt by long experience and careful 

 observation, that improvement in the practical details of manipula- 

 tion almost necessarily precedes an advance in natural knowledge, 

 and invariably promotes and expedites true scientific progress. 



The main object of this work is to instruct learners in microsco- 

 pical manipulation, and in the performance of those operations 

 which are essential to the successful demonstration of form, structure, 

 and colour, under the microscope. To manipulate well is no matter 

 of mere practice, it requires much mental application and power. 



There are perhaps few things upon which more misapprehension 

 exists among young men than the importance of mastering elementary 



B 



