The Microscope. 155 



The publisher of Science has a new journal, Science and 

 Education, which will contain the best papers from Science, and 

 others original. This new periodical will prove of great service to 

 advanced teachers, containing, as it will, the latest scientific and ed- 

 ucational news of the day. 



BOOK REVIEWS, 



Microscopy for Beginners; or Common Objects from the Ponds and Ditches, 

 by Alfred C. Stokes, M. D. Illustrated. New York: Harper & Bros., 

 1887. Detroit: John Macfarlane. p.p. 808. 



We have often wondered why so little attention has been paid 

 by writers of books for beginners to the microscopic life to be found 

 in every stagnant pool and pond, objects so easy of access, so 

 wonderful in structure and beauty, so remunerative in pleasure- 

 giving and profit to the observer. For the examination of these 

 there is required no tedious process of embedding, no microtome 

 making infinitesimally thin slices, no stains or staining — the 

 simplest accessories and a moderately high-power objective are all 

 that are necessary for their study. In the volume before us we 

 have the ideal book for beginners in the investigation of aquatic 

 life, a hand-book that cannot fail to render great service and 

 accomplish much good. In the first chapter the author gives some 

 excellent advice in regard to microscopes, oculars and object- 

 ives, with directions for the manufacture of the needful accessories, 

 and a list of publications helpful to the student. The second chap- 

 ter is devoted to the description of the commoner acquatic plants, and 

 — best of all — the microscopic, animate creation which may be 

 found clinging to their leaves and stems is mentioned, with references 

 to the succeeding chapters in which they are described. The 

 following chapters are devoted to such objects as desmids, diatoms, 

 fresh- water algse, rhizopods, infusoria, hydra, aquatic worms, rotifers, 

 polyzoa, etc., etc., nearly all of which are well illustrated. The 

 language of the book is withal so simple and explicit that the 

 merest tyro cannot fail to comprehend and appreciate the subjects 

 treated. We hail " Microscopy for Beginners " as the fulfillment of 

 a long-felt want, and believe that all amateurs in this branch of 

 research will feel equally grateful for and delighted with Dr. Stoke's 

 latest work. 

 Collins Catalogue, No. 16. 



This catalogue is filled with the titles of rare and interesting 

 books on microscopy and natural history for sale by Mr. Collins. 



