Tue Microscope. 71 
ITEMS, 
ILLUMINATION BY AID OF AIR-BUBBLES.—“ For very delicate 
structures, such as fur-fibres,” continues Mr. Brevoort, “I often 
purposely permit air-bubbles in the mounting material, or 
introduce them into it. The chances are that some of the 
fibres will pass through some of the air-bubbles, and when they 
do this in the proper position, the fibres will be found to be 
illuminated by the reflection of light from the upper part of the 
concave surface of the bubble, and the surface of the fibres may 
be studied with a -{,th-inch immersion lens as readily as with 
al-inch. This method of illuminating I find of great service 
with the highest powers. I have used it with balsam and glycer- 
ine. With the latter it works exceedingly well. The air- 
bubbles may best be introduced by means of a stylographic 
pen-filler—Journal NV. Y. Mie. Society. 
Mrcroscopr, Microscopic, Microscopicat.—The practice of 
even the most scholarly microscopists is not quite uniform in 
the employment of the words microscope (used adjectively), 
microscopic and microscopical. Is it not desirable to make an 
effort to bring about uniformity? The usage which best com- 
mends itself to us is in accord with the following directions :— 
1. Apply “ microscope ” (the adjective) to the component or 
essential parts of the microscope. £. g.: microscope stand, mi- 
croscope stage, microscope objective. 2. Restrict ‘“ microscopic” 
to objects or features too minute to be seen or appreciated by 
the naked eye. 3. Reserve “ microscopical” for uses to which 
the term “ microscopic,” as above restricted, would be inappro- 
priate. #.g.: Microscopical Society ; microscopical accessories ; 
microscopical science’ works, observations, researches, themes 
purposes, uses; microscopical examination. As an epithet to 
the word “ examination,” microscopical is certainly preferable 
to microscopic, since the idea intended to be conveyed is of an 
action performed with the aid of the microscope, rather than of 
one too minute to be visible to the naked eye. Among 
professional men an organized society of microscopists is now 
generally, if not universally, denominated a Microscopical 
Society. ‘Microscopic Society” is sometimes heard, and, 
unfortunately, it sometimes gets into print. Its use ought to be 
actively discountenanced.—Journal N. Y¥. Mic. Society. 
