266 THE NORTHERN MICROSCOPIST. 
help his friend, and to give the assistance in his power. We all 
know we are ignorant and weak creatures, and that confraternity 
in science would gladly give the helping hand, whilst it asks others 
to pass over our own imperfections. 
(Zo be continued. ) 
OUR BOOK SHELF. 
Practical Microscopy by GrEorcE E, Davis, F.R.MLS., F.C.S., 
F.L.C., &c., &c. London, David Bogue. 
The above work, although not actually published, is now 
sufficiently advanced to enable us to lay before our readers a 
synopsis of its contents, and it is done at this early date on 
account of the many enquiries we have received respecting it. 
The matter is divided into fourteen chapters: Introduction— 
The Microscope Stand—Eyepieces and Objectives—Accessories— 
General remarks upon Objectives ; Test objects—The Collection 
of objects—Micro Dissections—Section Cutting—The delineation 
of objects, Microscopic measurements—The Polariscope—The 
Microspectroscope—Staining and Injecting—The Preparation and 
Mounting of objects—Reagents ; Receipts. 
Such is the list of subjects, and it has been the author’s aim to 
make each chapter as complete as possible in itself, preserving an 
order throughout the work so that almost anything might be found 
without referring to the index. As to this last portion, nearly 
everything of interest to the practical worker has been double and 
treble indexed in order that reference to the subject matter may be 
made with facility. 
The work is profusely illustrated, containing over two hundred 
and fifty woodcuts and a colored plate for the frontispiece. 
The author has endeavoured to show throughout the entire work 
how the Microscope may be used as an aid to the advancement of 
knowledge, and how much more useful and permanent work may 
be done if the operator only possessed an accurate knowledge of 
his instrument, and of the various reagents used in the Microscopic 
art. 
With this end in view, it has been found necessary to refer to 
Professor Abbe’s researches ; but with the exception of giving a 
rough outline of them, they have been left for a future edition, at 
a time when his views will not be in the minority. It has been 
