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^be flDicroecopc an& its acceseorlee. 



Part I. 



TO the student of Nature who is not content to take the 

 observations of others on trust, but would see for himself 

 and subject such observations to a close scrutiny, the 

 possession of a good microscope is essential ; but how shall the 

 would-be observer determine, among the multitude of instruments, 

 each of which is set forth by its constructor as the most 

 effective — which is the one that most nearly meets the require- 

 ments — which of them is best adapted for the class of work he 

 is contemplating — and which of them, in the great matter of cost, 

 comes within his means ? This latter point is one of the greatest 

 importance, for if cost is no object, there is little need of selec- 

 tion. An unlimited order to any of our first-class opticians will 

 provide an instrument, with appliances, that will do almost any- 

 thing, and will take part of a lifetime fully to understand and 

 effectively to work. We have, therefore, thought that we should 

 be doing good service to the cause of original research by passing 

 in review such instruments, of our principal makers, as are 

 specially intended for students' work. We have no interest in 

 recommending any special make, and shall endeavour to place 

 all before our readers on their own merits, pointing out, where 

 practicable, the peculiar advantages claimed for each form. In 

 order to avoid appearing to give undue preference, we shall 

 arrange our notices of the instruments of the various makers 

 alphabetically, though it is very possible that we shall not be 

 able to confine ourselves strictly to this plan, for some special 

 instruments may be brought under our notice which it would be 

 unjust and impolitic to decline, because, being the production of 

 Messrs. D., it had not been received till after those of Messrs. 

 K. had been noticed. 



It may be well to state that in the production of this series 

 of articles we are favoured with the assistance of a gentleman 

 thoroughly conversant with all the details of microscopical 

 technique. In the present paper we shall describe 



