The Microscope. 180 



A WRITER in the Scientific American suggests as a substitute 

 for a revolving table, the use of a " Japanese or tin tray, large enough 

 to contain both microscope and lamp, so that the relation of both 

 may be preserved while the tray is moved to bring the instrument 

 into position for different observers, by simply sliding the tray on the 

 table." 



BOOK REVIEWS. 



Elementary Microscopical Technology, a manual for students of Micro- 

 scopy, by Frank L. James, Ph. D.. M. D., President of St. Louis So- 

 ciety of Microscopists, editor St. Louis Medical and Surgical Journal etc 

 pp. 107, price fl, cloth. 



This little volume constitutes Part I. of a work on general mi- 

 croscopical technology, and is devoted to the subject of preparing 

 and mounting microscopical specimens ; or, as the author puts 

 it in the title, " The Technical History of a Slide, from the Crude 

 Material to the Finished Mount." It is intended for elementary 

 instruction, and most admirably suits the purpose, for the doctor 

 has not only written clearly and with great patience as regards 

 detail; but has wisely deteiTained not to presume on any knowledge 

 which the reader may possess of the subject in hand. Every j^oiiit, 

 however trivial it may seem to the practiced hand, is carefully 

 explained. In this lies the principal merit of the book. It does 

 not seem possible that an intelligent student, following the directions 

 as here laid down, could go far astray. As the author is an active 

 worker in Microscopy, we are not surprised to see some new ideas 

 and methods, as well as many improvements of old ones. We are 

 sorry to note, however, that the work does not seem to have been 

 as carefully edited as might be. The proof-reading has been careless 

 in places, and the type used could have been fresher. These defects 

 will doubtless be corrected in future editions. We cordially recom- 

 mend it to all, and especially to beginners. 



Proceedings of the A.merican Society of Microscopists, Ninth Annual 

 Meeting, 1886. 



Every American microscopist who glances over the subject mat- 

 ter of this record of the last meeting of the American Society 

 should feel proud that it is American. Though the study of higher 

 Microscopy does not, in this country, prevail to the extent one could 

 wish, yet the volume before us gives proof that we do not entirely 

 lack leaders in the science. And we are to be congratulated that, as 

 a rule, the leaders will consent to lead. Though we miss in this 

 volume some well-known names, yet are their places well filled with 

 others both old and new. Among the more exhaustive papers are 



