THE RETROSPECT. 143 



unknown cause, hesitate in making known their observations; perhaps a 

 certain delicacy of introducing a subject requiring the assistance of the very 

 best instruments to give "undeniable resiilts/' prevents much valuable 

 matter being published, which would doubtless appear but for this, and as 

 there must be a great many persons engaged in microscopic inquiry, who 

 like myself, are unacquainted with any one else of the like pursuits, 

 if it were possible to open a correspondence amongst them, for the exchange 

 of specimens and observations, such could not fail to be highly beneficial 

 to all parties concerned. I have ever been of opinion that where two or 

 three are engaged in the same subject, if they exchange notes, etc., they 

 are certain to benefit more than where each works separately and alone. 

 I have for some time been extremely anxious to meet with some persons 

 engaged in this most interesting pursuit, with whom I could exchange 

 specimens and notes; and as an example of one of the many ways in which 

 they could mutually assist each other, (merely in the exchange of specimens, 

 if nothing more,) the following could be imagined: — I reside at the sea- 

 side, and have ample time to collect specimens of Algse, Zoophytes, etc., 

 which some one resident in the country might wish for; while I again 

 might want some Desmidium; now one would naturally wish to know 

 something of the objects sent for, and would be likely to "look up" the 

 subject, and thus add to previous knowledge. 



I doubt not if once it were known through the columns of that "helping 

 hand" 'The Naturalist,* that certain parties would be willing to assist in mi- 

 croscopic inquiry, and that any one writing to them would get such informa- 

 tion and assistance as it was in their power to give, much more might be 

 done; and many who spend their leisure time in glancing over their col- 

 lections, and occasionally mounting another object, would instead, endeavour 

 with all their power, to answer, past the possibility of dispute, (so far as 

 their instruments would allow,) any question that was put to them; and 

 thus not only have the satisfaction of knowing that they were obliging 

 others, but at the same time be improving themselves, and acquiring a 

 better method of investigation. 



To those advanced in this study these remarks do not apply, as they, 

 from their advancement, must be acquainted with many of the most cele- 

 brated microscopists of the day; but it seems a great pity that the Tyro 

 like myself cannot also have the advantage of interchange of observations, 

 merely from not knowing any one to apply to. I therefore feel quite certain 

 that this merely requires to be brought before the readers of "The Natu- 

 ralist," to elicit a very satisfactory list of names of persons willing to enter 

 into this scheme; and thus the already great usefulness of this publication 

 would be still further enhanced. — George Hodge, Seaham Harbour, April 

 3rd., 1856. 



