148 REMINISCENCES OF 



painful retention of my eye at the microscope was 

 not required to be so incessant. I succeeded in 

 watching the successive changes which the yolk 

 underwent during its conversion into an embryo, 

 which latter moved freely for some time within its 

 shell, but through which it ultimately broke and 

 escaped into the surrounding water. Further 

 changes were undergone by the creature before it 

 attained the mature form ; each of these was 

 carefully observed and recorded, and at length I had 

 the enjoyment of seeing my young nursling reach 

 the full development of the parent form. After the 

 publication of my memoir in January 1856, 1 received 

 a communication from Mr. Pritchard, the well-known 

 microscopist, and author of a copious volume on the 

 Infusoria. He informed me that he was about to 

 publish a new edition of this work, and was anxious 

 to obtain my assistance. I eventually undertook to 

 superintend the section which dealt with the sys- 

 tematic history of the Rotatoria and Rotiferae. The 

 new volume made its appearance in 1861. 



Before, however, dwelling further upon these 

 scientific observations, I will glance at a few domestic 

 incidents of my comparatively unchequered life. 



In 1845 our first child was born, but before she 

 was four years old she was taken from us by whoop- 

 ing-cough. Within three months of her death, 

 however, our desolate home was brightened by the 

 birth of a second daughter, and then followed two 

 other daughters, and, lastly, a son was given us. 



