1888.] MICEOSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 3 53 



a dozen slides, and a book on mounting microscopic objects. How we put 

 a hair without any preparation under the lenses and were awe-stricken at the 

 apparent size of it, and missed entirely the wonders to be seen if the hair had 

 been properly treated with reagents. Then we made futile attempts at 

 macerations and finally ceased in disgust till help came. 



It is the purpose of the editor to meet the wants of a various group of 

 readers. Some beginners, and not scientific students, want to know how and 

 what to see and have a clue given them to the deeper facts which they know^ 

 are beneath the mere surface they see. Other general readers in science desire 

 to know what new and important facts science is finding out, while still others 

 are old usei"s of the instrument, professionally or for amusement, and they 

 look to the Journal for the latest new ' kinks ' of method, or for suggestions 

 as to new^ lines of study or research. To furnish each such reader with some 

 matter which he will find to meet his wants has been our aim from the be- 

 ginning of our relations with \\\e Journal . 



We are anxious for one word here of a personal character to our readers. 

 It is respecting questions and contributions. Some who write for informa- 

 tion regarding methods of work have hesitation about using the editor's time 

 for such purpose. We desire to repeat what we have said before, that we 

 are never too busy to answer an honest question from anyone, and more, are 

 most glad to do so, because we thereby learn of the needs of our readers. No 

 one need ever hesitate to ask questions on biological topics. These we will 

 promise always to try to answer or to refer to a source of information. We 

 also wish to say that all matters w^hich interest any observer are likely to in- 

 terest others, and are fit subjects to contribute. We earnestly desire to attract 

 to our pages for the sake of beginners contributions from beginners. The 

 Journal is largelv dependent for its success upon the knowledge of what its 

 friends wish us to do for them. 



American Society of Microscopists. — The date of meeting has been 

 changed by the executive committee to August 21st on account of the change 

 of the meeting of the A. A. A. S. to August 15th. 



We trust that suggestions which have been uttered during the year by the 

 various microscopical journals will not be without issue so far as the meeting 

 of the American Society of Microscopists can take action in the matter. We 

 should be glad to see, and we think it entirely possible and advantageous, 

 the American Society of Microscopists become the head and directing force 

 of a large number of the microscopical chapters formed of the local societies 

 of various cities, which might be elected to membership upon their wish and 

 agreement to maintain a certain standard of work. We would have a com- 

 mittee appointed to look into the matter of forming a general society for the 

 purpose of helping the weaker societies into a genuine hearty life. It seems 

 to us that the cause of science could have no better gift from the American 

 Society of Microscopists than the increased recognition of the value and im- 

 portance of scientific work which must necessarily be the outcome of a dif- 

 fusion of knowledge of scientific methods of study. While we regard the 

 amateur use of the microscope as a very valuable and interesting source of 

 amusement, and entirely to be urged on that ground, we conceive that an 

 even greater benefit results to the good cause of progress from an increased 

 appreciation of the nature and value of biological study. The material 

 progress of the last century has been demonstrably due to free intellectual 

 or scientific activity. We need not argue that old point. By popularizing 

 science we are making the way for the continuance of the progress we of 

 1888 are favored to enjoy. The greatest benefit of such meetings as the 



