1893.] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 19 



EDITORIAL. 



Microscopy an Art. — In a recent number of the American 

 Naturalist the editors say : "• Microscopy, which is an art," etc. 

 Curiously, however, this same periodical, which is devoted to the 

 natural sciences, presents its general notes under seven heads, as 

 follows: "Geology, mineralogy, botany, zoology, embryology, 

 entomology, and microscopy." About the first six subjects being 

 sciences there is no question raised, but the seventh is added just 

 as if it were also a science, when its editors say, editorially, that 

 microscopy is an art. Why does a scientific periodical have a 

 department devoted to one of the arts, and why employ a scientist 

 to edit that department? 



Scientific Societies of Washington. — The "Joint Com- 

 mission of Six Scientific Societies of Washington " is preparing a 

 Joint Directory for 1893. The Microscopical Society of Wash- 

 ington is still excluded from the list, which now consists of the 

 Anthropological, Biological, Chemical, Entomological, Geo- 

 graphic, and Philosophical Societies. Is geography a science.'' 

 Is philosophy a science? Or are these societies admitted because 

 of the scientific methods employed by them in promoting geog- 

 raphy and philosophy? Is it not time for the Microscopical 

 Society to find out whether or not it belongs in the list of scientific 

 societies ? 



PROBLEMS. 



Note. — Topics are suggested occasionally upon xvliich a variety of vieiui 

 ■would be desirable. The problems will be stated under this heading as 

 they arise, and persons having facts or opinions pertinent thereto are 

 invited to transmit the same, -which ivill be -published u?ider the heading, 

 " Letters te the Editor." 



1. Dry Objectives. — A person who wishes to examine dia- 

 toms and other very minute objects is in doubt whether to buy a 

 dry objective (say 1-6, i-S) or a homogeneous immersion objec- 

 tive (say i-io, 1-12), because he has heard that dry objectives 

 lack definition or resolution. — E. F. B. 



2. Urinary Salts. — In evaporating a drop of urine and ex- 

 amining it with polarized light, several crystals appeared, some 

 being dumb-bell shaped and other stellate in form. What were 

 they and how can they be separated and mounted permanently ? 

 — E. M. 



3. Micro-spectroscope. — An easily-made form of spectro- 

 scope w^hich can be attached to an ordinary microscope would 

 be a convenience. — W. S. 



