34 AN HOUR AT 



very necessary, and the student should not content himself with 

 observing only one or two. The number of divisions, or septa, 

 often mark out large groups of species in the more extensive 

 genera, and their extreme tenuity causes them to be easily 

 overlooked. I have noticed that apparent septa are often 

 produced in really simple spores by the presence of green nuclei ; 

 but careful examination will reveal their true character. 



an Ibour at tbe fliMcroacope, 



Mitb /IDr» XTuffen Mest, ff.X»S,, ff.1R,/ID,S., etc 



Plates 2 and 3. 



|"T TNDER this heading it is proposed to give, in successive 

 L vJ numbers of the Journal, selections from the full and varied 

 Notes written by Mr. West on the numerous slides which 

 passed through his hands whilst President of the Society. They 

 will serve to show, in his own words, his general method of 

 dealing with a box of sHdes, his arrangement of their contents, 

 his kindly criticisms, his genial and instructive comments upon 

 each object passed in review before him, as well as the vast 

 stores of information which he had ever at command on every 

 subject connected with the Microscope. The long and serious 

 illness that has for the present laid him entirely aside from all 

 work, and deprived the Society of his valuable help, is an event 

 deeply to be lamented, not by this Society alone, but by all 

 who are interested in Microscopic pursuits. 



Let us, then, as it were, go with Mr. West into his study, 

 and look on while he examines a box just arrived, and hear what 

 he has to say respecting its contents.] 



It will, perhaps, be advantageous if I here make a few 

 remarks on the most profitable way of studying the contents of 

 our Postal Boxes. The world of natural objects is practically 

 infinite : — Method, Arrangement, Classification, are, therefore, 

 absolutely necessary as aids to remembrance. Without such, 

 the most gigantic powers of memory fall helpless ; with them, by 



