The Microscope. 309 



The Monogropli of the North American Rhizopods, by Dr. 

 Liedy, has been mentioned. Besides this excellent work, he has 

 published many papers on rhizopoda, GregarinjB and infusoria. 

 Most of the infusorian species are parasitic in the intestines of 

 insects and worms. 



The foundations of the science are well laid; there are now 

 greatly increased facilities for study, so that earnest specialists are 

 now able to advance our knowledge of these forms rapidly and with 

 credit to our science. I will omit further mention of specific work, 

 reserving the same for an appendix to this article. 



I am intensely interested in the lowly creatures to which I have 

 asked your attention, and I hope they are not wholly devoid of 

 interest to any of you. The exactions of the occupation of American 

 school teachers leave comparatively little time or energy for private 

 study or investigation. The few hours each week that I can get, I 

 devote to the refreshing pursuit of natural science. It has come 

 into my life as an influence, as it has to many others. It seems to 

 me, and I am led to the conclusion by observation as well as expe- 

 rience, that the influence of no other specialty is so edifying. The 

 protozoa have afforded me for the past two years the most available 

 opportunities for that communion with nature that is both fascinat- 

 ing and satisfying. I can heartily recommend these beautiful 

 objects, so wonderful in their simplicity to any one who seeks a spe- 

 cial field of study. 



In conclusion, I will quote a paragraph from Dr. Liedy, 

 expressing beautifully the experience of every true fisherman: 



"Going fishing? How often the question has been asked by 

 acquaintances, as they have met me with rod and basket on an 

 excursion after materials for microscopical study. Yes, has been 

 the invariable answer, for it saved much detention and explanation. 

 * * * No fish for the stomach, but as the old French microscop- 

 ist, Jablet observed, 'some of the most remarkable fishes that have 

 ever been seen; ' and food fishes for the intellect." 



Septic Inoculation. — Charrin and Roger (C. R. de la Society 

 de Biologie) find that the septic vibrion causes a local lesion in the 

 dog, inocuous in character, which generally, but not invariably, con- 

 fers immunity against a new inoculation. These conclusions coin- 

 cide with those' which have been attained by Chaveau and Arluing, 

 regarding gangrenous septicsemia. 



