VARIETY OF FORM. 23 



ously found to have nothing living in it. It has, 

 therefore, been proved, that after the first ex- 

 pense in the cost of a good microscope, and with 

 proper care, so that no repairs are required, the 



i 



amusement is cheaper than most others ; never 

 ending, and never failing in interest. 



A few particulars of the formation, and pecu- 

 liarities of structure, of these wonderful atoms, 

 will now be entered upon. 



In the first place, the variety of form is most 

 astonishing, and strikes the observer perhaps 

 more than any other peculiarity. They are of 

 all imaginable shapes, and may be likened to 

 many objects with which we are familiar, as 

 tops, trumpets, pincushions with pins in ready 

 for use, telescopes, balls, leaves, sticks, threads, 



