276 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST, [Sept. 



such an illumination affords no information as to the real nature 

 of the object, for these tints are as artificial as those which fall 

 upon the faces of people in church from an oriel window ; the 

 colours may be beautiful, but they certainly do not improve the 

 complexions of the worshippers ; and as a microscopic accessory, 

 the kalescope is a mockery, a delusion, and a snare. 



The Sorby micro-spectroscope is a specialty which appeals only 

 to the chemist or toxicologist. The live box and the Zoophyte 

 trough are necessary accessories to the naturalist, and will afford 

 ample return from the employment of several forms of them. 



I do not think it necessary to enter into the merits of those 

 contrivances which are invented for the mounting and preserva- 

 tion of objects ; but, in the above short sketch, have endeavoured 

 to give my experience as to the necessary desiderata for the 

 working student. 



The most complete working instrument that I have yet seen 

 is the Harley Collins' binocular, with its appurtenances, and I 

 doubt whether anything can be obtained of greater working value 

 for the moderate price of $100. I shall thereibre conclude with 

 a detailed description of it : — 



A compound binocular body, with two sets of eye-pieces and 

 eye-shades ; neutral tint reflector for camera lucida ; rotatory 

 glass stage, with lever movements ; shutter to body to carry 

 polarizing and binocular prisms ; Brook's double nose-piece ; 

 1 incli and |- inch object glasses (good) ; a wheel of side-light 

 diaphragms, stops and adjusting shutter diaphragm ; achromatic 

 condenser, polariscope and double mirror ; side-light reflector, and 

 bull's-eye ; together with a good mahogany box, and packing for 

 the apparatus. 



In conclusion, I would recommend a good selection of " acces- 

 sories" in preference to a long series of " object glasses ; " but I 

 am satisfied that the ingenious student will contrive many of 

 these without the aid of the optician. I have endeavoured 

 herein to indicate the most profitable investments, leaving many 

 excellent inventions unnoticed ; for a description of such in detail, 

 let the reader consult the last edition of " Carpenter on the 

 Microscope.'' 



