The Microscope. 313 



some unhappy, stumbling creature whom be may take by the 

 hand and introduce to the angel at the cross roads. It is pos- 

 sible that, for a while, even he will be helped who is so helpless 

 that he can only lean against the fence and cry aloud to the 

 passers by : " Tell me what to study, and how to get the 

 material, and how to prepare it, and what to look for when 

 it is under the microscope." Even he will be looked after if he 

 will show his willingness to make obeisance to the angel at the 

 cross roads. 



In the Christmas number of a popular magazine Mark Twain 

 writes a suggestive article in which he claims, with much plaus- 

 ible evidence, that what he calls mental telegraphy exists and 

 can almost at will be put into action between two persons 

 remote from each other. That there is some truth in the asser- 

 tion is the experience of every one, but that the faculty, if it 

 may be called so, can be exercised to the extent claimed by Mr. 

 Clemmens is scarcely believable. But to recommend the read- 

 ing of the paper or the making of experiments in mental tele- 

 graphy are not my present purpose. Yet there seems to have 

 been some kind of modified mental influence at work between 

 the inventors of microscopical lamps and The Microscope, for I 

 have within a short time received for examination two lamps 

 far microscopical use, from two widely separated inventors, 

 and made upon two widely separated patterns. The one was 

 recently referred to as Mr G. C. Taylor's diaphragm lamp, the 

 other and newer production is a beautiful illuminator from 

 Messrs. James Stratton & Son, of Brooklyn, N. Y. 



In design, general appearance and finish the Stratton lamp is 

 superior to any of the less complicated and less expensive 

 forms that I have seen. And its effects, its convenient arrange- 

 ment of parts and its ease of manipulation are in no way in- 

 ferior to its graceful aspect. The oil reservoir carries a half- 

 inch wick, and to prevent the radiation of light to the eye, is 

 surmounted by a metal jacket which bears at the top a movable 

 extension to intercept all reflection from ihe chimney. A well 

 blackened, conical extension directs the rays to a bull's eye and 

 also prevents any escape of light to annoy the worker or to 

 dazzle his unoccupied eye. The entire metal part is capable of 



