FOR THE MICKOSCOPR. 95 



Huyghean eye piece of short focus, tliut is, having lenses of | and 

 4 of an inch focus. 



Again a white saucer offers the best means of examining the water 

 in a cursory manner, to ascertain whether the pool contains the 

 animalcules you desire. 



Being equij^ped with the needful appliances — a few phials, a small 

 cloth net, a white saucer, a white cambric pocket handkerchief, on 

 which to place water plants to drain, and a magnifier. The sportsman 

 should provide himself with a stout pair of boots, for I can assure 

 him, if he enters heartily into his sport, he will sometimes find 

 himself ancle dc^p in water iji beating about for choice specimens. 

 Proceed to the nearest ponds of water in the neighbourhood, and 

 should there be healthy Lomnse on their surface, or Conferva), or 

 other aquatic plimts, you will be almost certain to meet with animal- 

 cules. If there be any drains, however, communicating with them, 

 the chances are that they contain only the common species, which 

 will, by a little practice, be readily distinguished by their motion, 

 general appearance, and colour. The indications of the presence of 

 Infusoria are specks moving about in the water, or an apparent 

 mouldiness around the stalks of the Lemnae, &c. Should these 

 appearances not be discerned under the middle power of yoiu' 

 magnifier, throw away the water, and repair- to some more favoiu'ed 

 pool. Be careful to take only a small portion of the vegetable matter 

 in your vessel, as its decay, and the consequent evolution of gas, 

 may soon kiU all your animalcules. This must be constantly borne 

 in mind. Clear pools of water, in the spring of the year, are the 

 favourite places of resort for the Volvox glohator ; clear water, slowly 

 running in clay or chalky soUs, for the Bacillaria and Arcellina. 

 House gutters, and tubes placed to receive the rain water, often contain 

 a rich supply of the Rotifer. In the winter, jom may search for ani- 

 malcules in water among dead leaves, reeds, &c., which may betaken 

 out, and their contents shaken off into clear water ; while the species 

 which attach themselves fii-mly to these objects may be examined 

 without theii" being removed fi-om them. On approaching- a pond, 

 always obsei-ve the direction of the wind. On the leeward side you 

 will find floating aquatic plants congregate>d, as also a scum of 

 organic matter, this will furnish an abundant "take" of Infusoria; 

 while, to the windward side, you may obtain clifTercut kinds and less 



