[90] 



an Ibour at tbe fIDicroacope, 



Mitb mv. XTutfen Mest, jf.X.S., 3f.1R*/in)*S., etc 



Plate 



THERE is no more delightful way of spending an evening, 

 that I know of, than to get together a few friends when a 

 Box of Slides arrives, with books, etc., at hand for 

 reference in case of need, and then, with the microscope on the 

 table, to observe, compare, and discuss, whatever the box contains; 

 trying to clear up any doubtful points, and to gain or to impart fresh 

 knowledge, through the medium of the Note-Books. I strongly 

 recommend the plan to members who may live sufficiently near 

 each other to make it practicable. 



With regard to the question of " bought " Slides, there can be 

 no objection to members occasionally sending round a good, 

 instructive, professional mount ; but the fact of its being such 

 should be distinctly stated. Slides mounted by real workers, with 

 a definite object, are infinitely better and more interesting than 

 the gay things got up by professional mounters, which sometimes 

 resemble certain well-known razors, " made to sell." Would that 

 all our members might continually remember that our future as a 

 Society depends greatly upon the character and quality of the 

 work that we do I We have great opportunities for self-improve- 

 ment, if they are honestly embraced and utilized ; but if these 

 are let slip, and members are content to use the microscope 

 merely as a plaything, to while away a leisure hour, or for the 

 exhibition of pretty things, then we shall probably soon fall to 

 pieces, as we shall deserve to do. 



Diatoms. — Try to draw these, if you can, with the camera, 

 giving all the reticulations, etc., just as they occur, — and then feel 

 for the poor artist, who has to give weary years to drawing and 

 engraving them; the latter process, with some of the more elaborate 

 ones, taking a fortnight for a single disc. And wonder not 

 that he heaves a sigh of relief as he removes the last slide from 

 the field of his microscope, and rejoices when engagements 

 permit of his turning to other branches of microscopical drawing 

 and research than Diatoms. 



Sphagnum, portion of Stem.— There is, in its way, no object 

 more beautiful than that furnished by the leaves of the Bog- 

 Mosses. It is preferable to mount them at once in Glycerine, as 



