278 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [Oct., 



disclosing beauty in many perfect hairs tra3eable in their course 

 direct from the base of the bulb, embedded in the follicle, and 

 emerging from the cuticle above. In cutting a section of such 

 delicacy it would be impossible to avoid slicing through a hair 

 or two diagonally, thus leaving the tops of some, the ends of 

 others; this result or defect, is a feature of significant interest 

 from an art point, faithfully copied it gives life and character. 

 In a diagram, the imperfection, by comparison with perfect 

 hairs, might be remedied, the mutilated parts " restored ;" but 

 such an interference destroys at once the graphic quality of the 

 picture, adding nothing to its scientific interest. Absolute ac- 

 curacy in depicting what is presented may, however, in some 

 cases, be qualified, and truth evolved by a knowledge of the 

 structure as it should appear, particularly in cellular tissues, in 

 close contact. In such cases the artist ought to be cognisant of 

 elementary forms, as arranged under contiguous pressures, and 

 the position of spherical, oblong, or cubical elastic cells, as af- 

 fected by juxtaposition in, over, or under spreading layers. 

 Coupled with the perspective of such conditions, this facilitates 

 progress. In opaque subjects, under binocular vision, where the 

 rotundity of a reticulated surface fades in dimensions, and 

 shadow, in different lines, this abstract knowledge is important, 

 and should be acquired, as many objects could not be eff'ec- 

 tively represented without its study — always keeping to gen- 

 eral appearances ; it is an ability which removes difficulty in 

 unravelling the disposition of parts, especially under high pow- 

 ers ; when sections are cut either too thin, slightly oblique, or 

 disrupted by the knife, the mechanical interferences of parts 

 when understood, may be restored The functions of an artist, 

 cognisant of a condition of antecedents may be fairly exercised 

 in the progress of a drawing, but it must never trench upon ab- 

 solute truth and discrimination in treatment — a drawing may 

 be ruined in a moment by a false line involving impossibility 

 of structure ; to a critical eye. this is fatal. In fine work, deal- 

 ing with malpositions, shrinkage of tissues, disseverances and 

 pseudo-appearances — inevitable even in the finest preparations 

 — the utmost judgment is required. 



The eff'ect of a microscopical drawing is enhanced by its in- 

 clusion in a circle — surrounded by a black margin — forming a 

 square. The size of the circle is important — it may be too 



