98 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [April, 



year. Overwork, however, has compelled him to seek relief and 

 recuperation in a trip 3,000 miles from home. On his return we 

 hope and trust that he will be heard from often by those who 

 have enjoyed his labors in the past. 



We have explained the situation sufhcientlv to show why tlie 

 size of the Microscope must be reduced to a paying basis. This 

 will mean from 13 to 20 pages monthly, according to circum- 

 stances, and be influenced b}' the number of subscriptions which 

 we can get, old and new. While the price will remain at one 

 dollar, those who pay two dollars for The Jourtial will get the 

 JMicroscope for one-half dollar additional. By scattering sample 

 copies freely, it is hoped to attract to the subject man}- physicians 

 and teachers who have heretofore let the subject go unnoticed. 



Finally, who shall edit the Microscope on the basis now de- 

 scribed.'' The matter is under consideration. But who do you 

 prefer.^ We shall be pleased to receive a postal card from every 

 one who expects to take a copy, announcing his or her ballot for 

 editor. Who do you vote for.'' Vote early, and in this case there 

 will be no harm if you vote often. 



At last we may congratulate American microscopists that after 

 eleven years of ruinous rivalry and migration, during which time 

 both periodicals have been kept at starvation prices, the time has 

 come for a union of eflbrt, of desire, and of interests. 



MICROSCOPICAL APPARATUS. 



New Objectives. — Among the new objectives recently made 

 which are deserving of note are two, a i-5th and i-Sth, both 

 dry, of 150% by Spencer & Smith, or as the firm used to be 

 known, H. R. Spencer & Co., of Buflalo. These objectives are 

 on a new formula, and for flatness of field, freedom from 

 color, and sharp definition they rank very high. In fact, the 

 robust images they give so much reseml^le in character those of 

 the Zeiss apochromatics that they would be indistinguishable. 

 They work easily through a No. 2 cover, and of course have 

 cover correction. Perhaps I am rather an enthusiast in favor of 

 vSpencer's work, but without prejudice to any one else, I say, 

 without hesitation, I never have seen better dry glasses than 

 these. I believe there is none of the Jena glass used in them, 

 but the chromatic observation is most exquisitely corrected, and 

 it is gratifying to know such correction can be made without the 

 necessity of using the as vet unproved kinds of glass. — Henry 

 L. Tolman. 



The Bacteriological Star Microscope. — This instrument 

 (see frontispiece) is entirely of brass ; it has a movable joint, rack 

 and pinion and fine adjustment, society screw with a substage 

 adjustment, which makes it one of the most efficient microscopes 

 tor the price that has ever l)een furnislied to the student or prac- 



