l888.] NEW-YORK MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. 115 



" He is oft the wisest man 

 Who is not wise at all." 



The microscope is an instrument of precise investigation, 

 capable of application in many various directions. It is, there- 

 fore, as a product of evolution in the domain of mechanics and 

 optics, a collection of numerous parts possessing, as a whole, "a 

 definite, coherent heterogeneity," and it is vain to expect a re- 

 turn to the condition of " indefinite homogeneity" which charac- 

 terized the simple stand of a third of a century ago. We of 

 this society take delight in and are proud of all that has been 

 done to evolve and perfect the useful and noble instrument with 

 which we are privileged to work ; but we fully recognize the 

 fact that this beautiful mechanism is but the key to the treasury 

 of minute nature. The pursuit of truth is our ultimate aim as 

 well as our immediate employment ; and in this pursuit we find 

 our present benefit and final greatest good. For, as Edgar A. 

 Poe has said, " Not in ktiowledge is happiness, but in the acquisition 

 of knowledge. In forever knowing we are forever blessed^ 



BEAUTIFUL MICRO-POLARISCOPE OBJECTS. 



BY D. H. BRIGGS. 

 {Read fanuary bth, 1888.) 



Aside from strictly scientific uses the micro-polariscope has 

 a field of interest in exhibiting some of the most splendid phe- 

 nomena in the whole range of microscopical manipulation. 



Not only do many substances exhibit beautiful forms and 

 colors in what may be called their normal mode of crystalliza- 

 tion, but, when the crystals are formed under peculiar condi- 

 tions, the effects are sometimes truly wonderful. 



Having experimented to a considerable extent in this matter, 

 I thought it might be of some interest to this Society to give the 

 results of my experiments. 



Out of a large number of substances, I select two, which are 

 capable of being prepared in such a manner, that they will ex- 

 hibit forms and colors of uncommon beauty. These are Salicin 

 and Hippuric Acid. 



First, however, I will name the necessary implements for the 

 work. For a source of heat, I find a coal-oil lamp, with tall 



