268 COOKE, ON MICROSCOPIC FUNGI. 
without the smallest knowledge of any one of them, has been the 
cause of much ridicule, and has brought microscopic observation 
into great disrepute. Some have thought to gain the credit of being 
accurate observers by carefully measuring every object they see in 
every diameter, and putting down in numbers the results of this use- 
less ceremony. 
“ Such reports show that the author is thinking more of himself than 
his subject. He attempts to acquire a character of extreme minute- 
ness of observation, instead of striving to advance the real interests 
of the science which he professes to serve—and instead of endeavour- 
ing to excite in the mind of the reader a desire for more extended 
knowledge and a wish to take part in a similar investigation, he 
perpetually gives undue prominence to himself. He who feels a real 
love for his subject will try all he can to enlist others in the same 
cause; he will try to remove all difficulties of investigation, and 
endeavour to express what he has learned himself, in language which 
shall be intelligible to all. A certain mysterious air pervading the 
description of an observation—an evident desire to coin new words 
—and exaggerated statements of the importance of the facts ob- 
served, are quite misplaced, where all should be clear, simple, and 
intelligible to every one—and too often show indifference to the 
subject on the part of the author, and a want of consideration 
towards unlearned readers. Nothing, I believe, has been productive 
of so much pain and sorrow to earnest men who have devoted long 
lives to the prosecution of different branches of natural science, or 
retarded the real progress of scientific inquiry, more than that 
affectation of precision, and minute verbose and pompous style of 
description, which has been fashionable among some microscopists, 
and which pervades the writings of several authorities in this imper- 
fectly developed branch of investigation in the present day. All this 
is mere pretence, and not real, earnest, useful work—distasteful to 
every scientific man and discouraging to every student. An extreme 
minuteness in description is by no means a proof of accuracy of 
observation. In this manner science becomes encumbered with 
unnecessary words, and earnest students are often intimidated when 
they commence investigations for themselves.” 
Rust, Smut, Mildew, and Mould: an Introduction to the 
Study of Microscopic Fungi. By M.C.Cooxsr. London: 
Robert Hardwicke. 
THERE are few persons possessing a microscope who have 
not examined more or less attentively the various forms of 
common moulds which attack our cheese, pears, grapes, and 
almost every eatable thing. <A very superficial examination 
of these objects will show that they possess a great variety 
of structure, and are fully deserving patient investigation. It 
has not, however, been an easy thing to get to know what 
has been done with regard to the structure and functions of 
