Xll PREFACE. 



acknowledgments are likewise due to Mr. George Pearson, 

 for the great care he has bestowed upon the engravings 

 which illustrate these pages. 



Finally, it is the Author's hope that, by the instru- 

 mentality of this volume, he may possibly assist in bring- 

 ing the Microscope, and its most valuable and delightful 

 studies, before the general public in a more familiar, com- 

 pendious, and economical form than has hitherto been 

 attempted ; and that he may thus, in these days of a 

 diffused taste for reading and the spread of cheap pub- 

 lications, supply further exercise for the intellectual 

 faculties, — contribute to the additional amusement and 

 instruction of the family circle, — and aid the student of 

 nature in investigating the wonderful and exquisite works 

 of the Almighty. If it shall be the good fortune of this 

 work, which is now confided with great diffidence to the 

 consideration of the public, to succeed in however slight a 

 degree, in furthering this design, the Author will feel 

 sincerely happy, and will be fully repaid for the attention, 

 time, and labour that he has expended. 



London, May, 1854. 



