92 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [Mar., 



entering the microscope. When using an achromatic 

 condenser in the sub-stage I have found the best resolu- 

 tion of Amphipleura pellucida obtained by the use of 

 a very small opening in the sliding diaphragm — much 

 smaller than usually used. 



If the concave mirror is used, its diameter should be 

 reduced to small size by a hole in black card-board 

 placed over its surface. I rarely use the concave mirror 

 with this illuminator however. 



With the use of a hemispherical lens under the object, 

 and the microscope so placed that direct light from the 

 convex reflector is carried to the extreme edge of the 

 objective, Amphipleura pellucida mounted in balsam can 

 be superbly resolved, if the objective is a good one. 



A little practice with this illuminator will soon make 

 the microscopist familiar with its use. 



EDITORIAL. 



The American Society of Microscopists. — Our editorial in 

 the last number seems to have attracted considerable attention 

 as communications are constantly arriving in regard to the 

 subject. The discontent and consequent apathy seems to be 

 more wide spread than we at first supposed, and we are getting 

 many clues to the situation. 



The most amazing thing, perhaps, comes from the Brooklyn 

 microscopists who actually did not realize that the meeting 

 was to occur in their midst. Several to whom we have written 

 for their impressions of the meeting did not attend, did not 

 know that there was anything to see or hear, had not been 

 asked to prepare papers, to arrange for microscopical instru- 

 ment exhibits, to attend working sessions, to loan microscopes, 

 etc. "Why", say they, "did you not tell us in the Journal 

 what was expected of us and what we might expect to enjoy." 

 Simply, because we could not find out that anything was 

 expected nor that there would be anything to enjoy. The 

 Secretary of the Society lives just four blocks from our office 

 and has been repeatedly asked to furnish matter for publication 



