56 THE MICROSCOPICAL NEWS. 
and Son, 87, Lancaster Road, Notting Hill, London, W., to issue 
such a series, under the supervision of Dr. Andrew Wilson and of 
Mr. Wm. Lant Carpenter, to whom, at 36, Craven Park, Harlesden, 
London, N.W., or to Dr. Wilson, 110, Gilmore Place, Edinburgh, 
any communications on the subject may be addressed. It is in- 
tended that, in the first instance, the series shall comprise some of 
the principal types and life-histories of the lower forms of plant and 
animal life, and the elementary facts of animal and vegetable 
physiology. It is believed that the knowledge that these are in 
preparation, may save the construction of diagrams by some 
lecturers, and may lead others to make valuable suggestions as to 
sources of illustration, &c., to one of the above-named gentlemen. 
—WLVature. 
ELECTRIC ILLUMINATION FOR THE MicroscoPe.—Messrs. Maw- 
son and Swan are now selling small lamps for the illumination of 
Microscopic Objects in place of oil or gas. It is claimed for this 
new form of illumination, that the trouble in cleaning and preparing 
the oil lamp, and the unpleasant heat and smell given off by it, is 
in this Lamp entirely avoided; that the light is of purer quality ; 
that the great ease and facility with which this Lamp can be adjusted 
is beyond comparison with the ordinary oil or gas lamp, especially 
when it is required to change the position of the light to above or 
below the stage, as for opaque or transparent objects; and that 
condensers may to a great extent be dispensed with, thus also say- 
ing much trouble. 
The Lamp is calculated to give from 1 to 3 candle power, and 
is readily controlled by means of a small resistance coil of iron wire 
interposed in the circuit. The best form of battery is undoubtedly 
the Grove or Bunsen, three cells being generally sufficient. 
In a circular which the above firm have issued, it would appear 
that the origination of this idea was due toa Mr. Stearn, of Liverpool, 
but if they reflect, they will doubtless come to the conclusion, that 
if they had executed the order given to them in 1881, Mr. Stearn 
(who was associated with Mr. Swan in the production of the ordinary 
lamp) would probably have been second or third in the field. 
Perhaps the publishing of the correspondence would be an aid to 
memory. 
Messrs. Mawson and Swan claim that this method of illumina- 
tion saves the trouble of cleaning and preparing the oil lamp: for 
our own part, we would prefer to have this trouble rather than the 
overpowering fumes from three cells of a Grove’s or Bunsen battery. 
The electric light for microscopic purposes is no doubt in some 
instances a good thing, but its conveniences need not be exaggerated. 
Cutrriss’ Dynamo.—Messrs. T. and S. W. Cuttriss, of 83, New 
