Tae NortHern MicRoscoPist. 
Me. 2 FEBRUARY. 1881. 
COMMON MOULDS AND MILDEWS. 
HERE are no doubt at the present time thousands of micro- 
scopes lying idle, for the want of a subject to investigate, or 
perhaps because the first impulses which led to their purchase 
have died away, and all the slides of pretty objects, diamond 
beetles, polarizing crystals, butterfly’s wings, and slides of a similar 
nature have become so common that it is weariness itself to look 
at them again. When this stage is reached, the possessor of a 
microscope generally takes one of two courses, in the first the 
instrument is neglected so that it eventually becomes a mere 
ornament on his table, or if it be not considered handsome enough 
it is put in its case and consigned to oblivion, from whence it is 
brought forth at intervals to exhibit some exquisite polarizing 
object, or perhaps a microphotograph to a party of friends. 
The other course taken is that, when all the objects of interest 
which have been bought with the microscope are played out, a 
search for fresh specimens commences, and it is in this direction 
that we may be of some degree of usefulness to our readers. 
There is no doubt that the microscope is often put aside owing 
to the notion of its possessor that real microscopic study is a diffi- 
cult pursuit, but this unreal state of the case generally proceeds from 
observers who try to range over too much ground instead of 
confining themselves to one or two studies, and working out for 
themselves all that can be learnt respecting them. 
There is not an insect which flies or crawls or swims which 
may not be made the subject matter of a moderate-sized volume ; 
but as such studies demand more time and attention than many 
microscopists can give, it is not to be supposed that all possessors 
of instruments. will engage in such work. It is desirable when 
investigations are undertaken that the observer should endeavour, 
wherever it is possible, to acquaint himself with the life-history of 
his subject ; there is no better exercise for the faculties of the mind 
than in studying the means whereby this end shall be attained. 
