Royal Microscopical Society. 201 



II. — On the Classification and Arrangement of Microscopic 

 Ohjects. By Dr. James Murie, F.L.S., F.Gr.S., &c. ; Lecturer 

 on Comp. Anat. Middlesex Hosp. ; formerly Pathol. Glasg. Eoy. 

 Infirmary ; Assist. Conservator Eoy. Coll. of Surg., Eng. ; and 

 late Prosector to the Zoological Soc, Lond. 

 {Taken as read before the Royal Microscopical Society, Feb. 7, 1872.) 



Part II* 



The present communication is but a continuation of a paper laid 

 before this Society, and published in their Journal February, 1869. 

 At that time it was my intention to have comprised in one article 

 all that I had to say on the subject, and with this intent I drew up 

 data which I subdivided accordingly. As it turned out, the matter 

 was deemed rather voluminous for single insertion in the Monthly 

 Journal of our Transactions, and what I may term Part II. was 

 deferred. Meantime circumstances altered the tenor of my way, 

 and the MS. then written out was put aside, only now to be revised. 

 Excepting therefore this unavoidable delay, no material change in 

 my original plan has been made, further than a revision of nomen- 

 clature in the main divisions of the vegetable kingdom. This is 

 due to my friend Mr. Carruthers, of the British Museum, whose 

 advice I have followed in the choice of that classification most 

 accordant with the present tendencies of botanists, and freest from 

 ambiguity. 



In Part I. I divided my contents into nine sections, but of these 

 only three were treated of. At this stage I merely repeat the 

 three titles, as under-mentioned ; and without further preliminary 

 proceed therewith. 



1. Introductory. 



2. Various Arrangements of Ohjects. 



3. Microscopic Collection, College of Surgeons. 



4. Principles of Classification. — In Part I. I dwelt at some 

 length on the modes of arrangement adopted by practical histolo- 

 gists or in use in existing collections, and on the breadth of pur- 

 pose in amassing so much microscopic material. 



Let us for a moment consider if there are any general rules or 

 principles which it is useful to bear in mind ; whatever be the classi- 

 fication chosen. Among others, the following appear to me worthy 

 of consideration : — 



I. It is fundamentally important not to multiply similar speci- 

 mens needlessly ; but rather by judiciously displaying them where- 

 soever most weight would be attached to their presence, concentrate 

 attention on their real import. 



* Part I. will be found in ' M. M. J.,' vi-l. i., p. 69. 



