286 Hints fm- Itnpfovemenf$, 



Art. VII. Microscopic Amusementf as a Means of educating the 



Feelings, 



\ Mr. Carpenter, in Gill^s Repository, vol. iv. p. 336., speaking of the 

 fine displays of anatomy and wonderful construction of insects, creature* 

 so much " despised, and which are, indeed, but too often made the subject 

 of wanton sport by many persons, who amuse their children by passing a 

 pin through the bottom of their abdomen, in order to excite pain and 

 long suffering in the insect, and thus making them spin, as they ignorantly 

 term it," has the following most humane and benevolent observations : — 

 " Many of these cruel sports might undoubtedly be effectually checked, if 

 the teachers of schools were occasionally to exhibit to their pupils, under 

 the microscope, the various parts of an insect with which they are familiar ; 

 and, by interesting lectures of instruction, to point out the uses to which 

 those parts are applied by the insect, for its preservation and comfort ; and 

 that, when they are deprived of them, or they are even injured, a degree 

 of suffering takes place in the creature, which the children at present seem 

 to be wholly uninformed of. I certainly think that, if the above-mentioned 

 useful lessons were inculcated, they would afford a check to those cruel 

 propensities in many children, which they at present indulge in, for want of 

 being better instructed." 



We think this a most excellent idea, and have little doubt that its adoption 

 in schools and families would have the intended effect. We earnestly be- 

 seech such of our readers as are patronesses or patrons of girls' or boys* 

 schools to purchase, and give or lend to the mistress or master, a common 

 microscope of any power that can be afforded, from 5s. to l/. Directions 

 •for its use will be sent along with it ; and the mistress or master may first 

 instruct two or three monitors in its use, and then grant permission to ex- 

 amine objects with the aid of a monitor, as a reward for merit, and as a 

 gratification during a part of the hours of recreation, and on holidays. 

 Vestries might do worse than purchase a microscope for parochial schools; 

 and, in rich parishes, a seven-guinea microscope might be purchased, which 

 would show the active molecules of Mr. Brown, Dr. Drummond, and 

 others, which we have seen, or think we have seen, through such a mi- 

 croscope. If a microscope would be a good thing in a school, it would 

 evidently be most valuable in a private family ; and we should say at once, 

 that whoever can afford to keep a governess or tutor, ought to afford also 

 to have a seven-guinea microscope. In our next Number, we shall com- 

 mence a series of papers, exemplifying the use of different kinds of micro- 

 scopes, with a view to the prosecution of this excellent idea of Mr. 

 Carpenter. 



Art. Vltl. Hints for Improvements, 



A Natural History Society. — Sir, In looking at the prosperity and high 

 attainments made in this country, in perfecting all kinds of machinery, 

 we are led to consider what is the cause, and what has placed knowledge 

 on this head in so much more an advanced state than on many others, and 

 in this I allude to the study of natural history. It may be answered, 

 because it has not the means for remunerating the toil and labour used in 

 acquiring it. This may be true and yet not be all. In zoology and entomo- 

 logy, the correct information of the commonest, as well as the rarest, of 

 their parts will be best obtained by those who make it their endeavour to 

 collect specimens. Now, the persons who do so arc generally those of no 



