Royal Microscopical Society. 209 



5. If made to a uniform size and of a. cubical form, they can be 

 piled up one above the other, and so built together as to command 

 all the advantages and none of the drawbacks of an immense 

 single cabinet. 



I cannot offer a better instance, forcing conviction of the last- 

 mentioned proposition, than by reference to the Botanical Department 

 and Insect Eoom of the British Museum. There (besides old wall- 

 cabinets) they have a set of cubes identical in measurements, each 

 devoted to a group or subsidiary division, numbered and labelled 

 accordingly, and so arranged that to all intents and purposes they 

 represent but one vast cabinet. 



For study and reference they are uncommonly handy, as they 

 can be brought down to the table, and in fact shifted about at 

 pleasure without the slightest injury to contents. 



Such is my heau ideal of a microscopic cabinet, compound yet 

 harmoniously single ; adapted to meet the wants of a limited, a 

 moderate, or a numerous series ; expansion being in the ratio of 

 increment of slides. But furthermore, as I shall presently mention, 

 the same principle is applicable to very modest microscopical col- 

 lections ; such, indeed, as even the amateur or those of limited 

 means may aspire to. As a closing sentence to this clause, I may 

 even make bold to say that, Hke other fashions and hobbies, that of 

 cabinets is an infectious one : a handsome piece of furniture 13 

 attractive. "Would that the zest for a thorough mastery of the con- 

 tents was as powerful a stimulant. 



I do not propose giving a lengthened dissertation and criticism 

 upon every sort of cabinet, but by allusion to a few vindicate ia 

 passing the more desirable features pertaining to economy, easy 

 access, and desirability for classific purposes. 



A. — As regards space and cheapness, the common boxes with 

 racks, sold by all microscopic object makers, are undoubtedly very 

 handy. They are subject, however, to three great faults. 1. Many 

 specimens, particularly those in fluid, are liable to spoil in them. 

 2. Keference to individual slides is awkward, from their being 

 tilted in position. 3. Numbers and names cannot easily be 

 read, unless by picking up one and then another, in guess-like 

 fashion. 



As an example of a considerable collection kept in the ordinary 

 rack-boxes, I may mention Dr. GreviUe's specimens of Diatomaceae 

 in the British Museum, of which there are 3637 in all. His 

 method of numbering and cataloguing, to which Mr. Carruthers 

 kindly called my attention, I shall again make reference to. 



B. — Dr. Miiller, assistant to Prof. Hofi'meister, of Heidelberg, 

 a few years ago kindly favoured me with a sight of their Histo- 

 logico-Educational Collection. They were then adding a series of 



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