THE MICROSCOPE ITS MISINTERPRETATIONS, 177 

 THE MICROSCOPE AND ITS MISINTERPRETATIONS. 



By JOHN MICHELS, 



THE old adage that " seeing is believing " has long been exploded, 

 and folks nowadays receive with caution the impressions con- 

 veyed by their eyesight. 



There is still, however, a fixed idea with many people that, when 

 the human sight is aided by powerful and correctly-constructed opti- 

 cal instruments, full reliance can be placed upon such united powers, 

 and that the investigator may record that which he believes he sees, 

 as veritable and established facts. 



In contradiction of such belief, I shall place before the reader some 

 curious results, which will show that the utmost caution is requii-ed 

 by those using optical instruments for the elucidation of scientitic 

 problems or ordinary researcl]. 



Quite an interesting paper could be written upon the optical de- 

 lusions with which astronomers have to contend in the use of the 

 telescope, but I propose to confine my remarks to the difficulties 



Fig. 1. Drawing bt Dr. Piggott, suowing the Beaded Markings on Podura-Scale. 



which beset the path of the microscopist, in obtaining truthful and 

 accurate results, while using the microscope, leading to the most con- 

 tradictory statements from men whose powers of observation and 

 skill in the use of the instrument are admitted. 



Those who make use of a microscope for the first time are usually 

 fascinated by the wonderful and beautiful appearances presented, and, 

 having illuminated the object under examination with a flood of light, 

 and focused it to their satisfaction, congratulate themselves upon the 

 ease with which they have handled the instrument, and fondly believe 

 they have attained to a knowledge of its use. More extended study, 

 however, and the use of high powers with the more complicated pieces 

 of apparatus, soon convince the student that the instrument requires 

 the most delicate manipulation, and that much practice is necessary 

 before its true powers are developed. 

 VOL. VII. 12 



