4 Jo? -, 
148 THE MICROSCOPE. 
cireumspection we interpret the evidence of our natural senses, it 
should be doubled when dealing with this new sense. With the 
latter we have no advantage from inheritance, nor can the other 
senses, as touch, taste and hearing, be brought to bear as corrective 
aids. Thus handicapped, each must begin from the bottom and learn 
to make correct interpretation for himself; and so difficult is it to 
attain perfection in this regard that the most eminent microscopists 
never forget their own shortcomings and to attempt correctness by 
doubly observing, and to know even then when to remain in doubt. 
E publish in this issue a letter from Mr. Neudorf, endorsed by 
Mr. Grose, in which the gentlemen claim to have resolved a 
ruling having 220,000 lines to the inch. As the possibility of such 
a feat has been thoroughly discussed in this journal, we shall make 
no criticism of the statement other than to quote from the Royal 
Microscopical Journal these remarks on a like statement made last 
year by Mr. P. H. Dudley: ‘‘A good deal of amusement has been 
felt in the Old World at the vagaries of part of the New over these 
plates. As Old World microscopists are aware, it is one of the 
plainest and best established scientific truths that there is a limit to 
the number of lines to the inch that can be made visible to the human 
eye with our existing optical appliances, and to believe that more 
have been seen relegates the believer to the ranks of those who be- 
lieve in perpetual motion, the creation of force, squaring the circle, 
and other self-demonstrated fallacies. 
“Our American brethren are not one whit behind us in their 
appreciation of scientific principles, and it was therefore puzzling to 
read from time to time positive statements that many people had 
seen 200,000 lines to the inch—the limit, even with the maximum 
aperture of 1.52, being 158,545. We put out of account the state- 
ments of the ruler of the lines, as he may be forgiven a not unnatural 
tendency to see lines that he feels certain his acknowledged 
mechanical skill has really put on tke slide.” 
We cannot but think that Mr. Fasoldt, whose mechanical skill 
and rulings need no commendation, is imperiling both in allowing 
statements so at variance with the best established scientific truths to 
be given out. People who persist in seeing that which is not to be seen 
must bear the reputation of Columbus, who sailed away under the 
then delusion that the world was round. He gained no glory in his 
going: it came only with his triumphant return. And when the 
gentlemen who have gone out into those mysterious provinces which 
lie beyond the realms of science return laden with strange fruits and 
