MICROSCOPY. 73 
Atlicroscopy. 
Micro-runel AND oTHER Microscorican Preparations.—The Editors 
of the ‘ Midland Naturalist” have placed in my hands for examina- 
tion a series of beautiful microscopical objects, prepared by the 
Rey. J. E. Vize, of Forden Vicarage, Welshpool, and I am able to say 
that they are very neatly and artistically mounted, and present quite a 
pleasing appearance in one’s cabinet. The medium in which the objects 
are preserved is one well adapted for displaying their minuter structures, 
and is evidently well suited for these organisms, as it does not deteriorate 
with long keeping. Similar preparations by Mr. Vize whichI have had 
in my possession for a long period look as well now as they did when first 
prepared. But Mr. Vize’s preparations are not merely beautiful objects 
for the microscope, they not only gratify the eye by the great variety 
of form to be observed in them, but also possess the higher merit of 
being truly educational. All that I have examined are type specimens, 
and will serve the tyro inscience as reliable guides to specific identification. 
The Micro-fungi Mr. Vize has made a specialty, and speaks with 
authority on this branch of botanical science. Hencesuch preparations 
emanating from him will have a permanent value, and be of constant 
_ service as reference slides. In mosses, lichens, algze, and hepatic I believe 
IT am right in stating Mr. Vize does not depend upon his own judgment, 
although I know that he has done good workin some of these, but he has 
his specimens from our best British and Continental authorities. Hence in 
these cases also the slides will be reliable as type specimens. 
Apart from their value, too, in this respect, many of these prepara- 
tions will be valuable and instructive to the biological] student, and will 
serve well to illustrate some of the phases of cell development. The 
reader of Sachs’ ‘‘ Text Book of Botany” will better appreciate some 
portions of the text of that work after an examination of some of these 
preparations than he could do from the study of woodcut illustrations, 
however carefully drawn. For instance, one of the objects at which I 
have just been looking, viz., a section of Peziza badia, shows at a glance 
the whole process of free cell formation. The sections are well cut, being 
sufficiently thin to show well with the 1 or } objectives every detail. The 
moss preparationsare also very good ; they arethoroughly clean, and have 
evidently been treated with the reagents necessary for bringing out the 
details of cell structure, a matter of great importance in this study ; and 
have been made so delicately transparent that the spores may be seen, 
perfectly, through the walls of the capsule. As objects for black back- 
ground illumination, with low powers, these moss slides are truly 
beautiful. As I have had much experience in similar preparations, I 
can say with truth that to prepare these objectsin so able a manner 
requires both skill and patience. 
The following is an enumeration of the slides submitted to my notice. 
Mosszs. 
Fissidens bryoides, showing perfect plant; leaves dissected from stem to 
show barren flower, capsules, peristome, and operculum. 
Tortula mucronata, leaves dissected from stem and stem sections. 
JUNGERMANNI®. 
Frullania Tamarisci, whole plant; beautiful object for black back-ground 
illumination. 
LicuEns. 
Phlyctis agelea, section of hymenium, showing asci and spores. 
Ricasolia lete-virens, a local species; section of hymenium, showing 
asci and spores. 
Solorina saccata, similar section, showing asci, spores, and paraphyses 
in various stages of development. 
M 
