32 HOW TO WORK 



tages, especially where a great number of illustrations is required. 

 It is surprising what differences of texture may be rendered on 

 wood. The observer must of course learn to draw on the block 

 himself, and either copy the particular shading he requires from other 

 engravings, or with the assistance of the engraver, must try various 

 plans of his own. By drawing on the wood himself, not only does he 

 save one third of the cost, but far more faithful representations of 

 natural structures are obtained. In many of the plates of this 

 volume illustrations of different kinds of work will be found. By 

 attentive examination the reader will see how each different ap- 

 pearance is produced. None of the different kinds of shading re- 

 presented are very expensive, and it will be observed that cross 

 shading with dark lines, which is most expensive in wood engraving, 

 has been entirely avoided. The wood engraver is obliged, unless 

 expense is no object, to shade as much as possible with parallel 

 lines, which system entirely fails to produce the appearances 

 required by the microscopist. However, by simply breaking 

 these lines at short intervals by white lines and keeping them a 

 little irregular, a variety of truthful characters may be produced and 

 at very little cost. 



There can be no doubt that much more perfect results would be 

 obtained in wood engraving, if the observer not only drew upon the 

 block but engraved the drawings himself, and I see no reason why 

 many might not do this. The art of wood engraving may be learnt 

 in a few months, and although the process is tedious and occupies 

 some time, I am sure that the greater perfection of the results would 

 more than compensate. It may be possible in certain cases for some 

 members of the family to engrave the work under the eye of the 

 observer, and in this way the engraving will be almost as good 

 as if the latter had performed the whole work. Wood engraving is a 

 delightful occupation for ladies who have the time to devote to it. 

 The only instruction required may be learnt in Mr. Thomas Gilk's 

 little book "The Art of Wood Engraving" published for is., by 

 Winsor and Newton, 38, Rathbone Place. The apparatus and the 

 few tools required may be obtained at many of the tool-makers, of 

 Messrs. Winsor and Newton, and other artists' colourmen. 



57. On the Importance of Observers delineating tlicir own Work. 

 It will, I know, be said that these processes, above described, are 

 of a nature which any intelligent draughtsman can perform, and 

 hardly worth the labour which a microscopical observer, who wishes 

 to carry them out, must be content to bestow. And objections 

 of other kinds might be urged, but I feel that if I had been unable to 

 have the lithographs and drawings executed at home, many of the 



