2 INTRODUCTION 



O.I /< the absolute limit was reached for a true image of the object, 

 due to the wavelength of ultraviolet light. Until recently, morphology 

 was forced to remain at this limit. We have great admiration for the 

 numerous cytologists who have worked in the limiting regions of the 

 optical resolving power of the immersion microscope, pursuing ever 

 finer structures, with ineffable devotion and utter disregard for their 

 eyesight. However, if one remembers their labour and its limited 

 prospects of success (since the actual ultrastructure of the protoplasm 

 cannot be obtained with any certainty by microscopic means), it is 

 remarkable how few biologists have drawn the obvious conclusion 

 from the theory of the limit of microscopic images and have turned 

 their attention to indirect methods of research. 



The resolving limit of the microscope is like the shore of a mys- 

 terious mountain lake. On land the geo-morphologist can easily re- 

 Fig. I 



THE DOMAINS OF MORPHOLOGY 



be 



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O o 



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-macroscopic- 



-microscopic- 



submicroscopic • 



-amicroscopic- 



cognize all details of shape and size ; he can measure and photograph 

 them. If, however, he wants to study the morphology of the bed of the 

 lake, he will derive no benefit from a stndy of the shoreline, however 

 carefully this may be done. Nor will it serve his purpose if he tries to 



