TRANS. OF PROF. ABBE’S PAPER ON THE MICROSCOPE. 11g 
THE, PROPOSED: SEA BIOLOGICAL 
ESTABLISHMENT. 
NHE Morning Fost remarks that a meeting in the rooms of the 
Royal Society, under the presidency of Professor Huxley, and 
attended by many of our most eminent scientists and naturalists, 
indicates at least one highly important result of the Fisheries Ex- 
hibition, in having directed attention to the natural deficiencies in 
knowledge and powers of research concerning the organisation and 
habits of the denizens of the deep. To few countries could biolo- 
. gical study in this direction produce greater benefits, as by none, 
perhaps, could that study be more easily and effectually pursued, 
and yet it has, we think, met with strange disregard in our sea-girt 
kingdom. There can be no doubt that the scheme will meet with 
warm and universal approval. We are essentially a sea-loving peo- 
ple, and, once the possibility is placed before us, shall be eager to 
learn the solution of some of the many mysteries connected with 
its inhabitants. To the naturalist these discoveries will be precious 
for the sake of the advancement of biological science ; to the thou- 
sands of fishermen on our coasts they will doubtless bring less toil 
and richer harvests ; and in the interests of the general public they 
will serve to increase the fish supply whilst preserving certain 
species from the extinction with which they are now threatened. 
EXTRACTS FROM MR. H. E. FRIPP’S 
TRANSLATION OF PROFESSOR ABBE’S PAPER 
ON THE MICROSCOPE. 
Monthly Microscopical Journal, vol. xiv., page I9gI. 
(Continued from page 96.) 
HEORETICAL study of the aberrations of the image-forming 
rays, and practical experienceinvolving theapplication of methods 
to be hereinafter described, and the careful testing of a considerable 
number of objectives of recent date from the best workshops on 
both sides of the Channel, have led Professor Abbe to the conclu- 
sion that the numerical value of “necessary amplification” yet 
arrived at or attainable at present, is altogether much lower than 
might be supposed from the liberal way in which microscopists 
deal with thousands and tens of thousands. According to his 
