1893.] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 19 



KDIKMnVL. 



Microscopy an Art. — In a recent number of the A?ficrican 

 NatKralist the editors say : '^ Microscopy, which is an art," etc 

 Curiously, however, this same periodical, whicli is devoted to the 

 natural sciences, presents its general notes under seven heads, as 

 follows: "•Geology, mineralogy, botany, zoology, emV)ryology, 

 entouKilogy, and microscopy." About the first six subjects being 

 sciences there is no question raised, but the seventh is added just 

 as if it were also a science, when its editors say, editorially, that 

 microscopv is an art. Whv does a scientific periodical have a 

 department devoted to one f)f the arts, and why employ a scientist 

 to edit that department? 



Scientific Societies of Washington. — The "Joint Com- 

 mission of Six Scientific Societies of Washington " is preparing a 

 Joint Directory for 1S93. The Microscopical Society of Wash- 

 ington is still excluded from the list, which now consists of the 

 Anthropological, Biological, Chemical, Entomological, Geo- 

 graphic, and Philosophical Societies. Is geography a science.'' 

 Is philosophva science.^ Or are these societies admitted because 

 of the scientific methods employed by them in promoting geog- 

 raphy and philosophv? Is it not time for the Microscopical 

 Society to find out whether or not it belongs in the list of scientific 

 societies.'' 



PROBLEMS. 



Note. — Topics are suggested occasionally ufon -which a variety of vievjs 

 would be desirable. The problems -will be stated under this heading as 

 they arise, and persons having facts or opinions pertinent thereto are 

 invited to transmit the same, zvhich will be published under the heading, 

 " Letters te the Editor.'^ 



1. Dry Objectives. — A person who wishes to examine dia- 

 toms and other very minute objects is in doubt whether to buy a 

 dry objective (say 1-6, i-S) or a homogeneous immersion objec- 

 tive (say i-io, 1-12), because he has heard that dry objectives 

 lack definition or resolution. — E. F. B. 



2. Urinary Salts. — In evaporating a drop of urine and ex- 

 amining it with polarized light, several crystals appeared, some 

 being clumb-bell shaped and other stellate in form. What were 

 they and how can they be separated and mounted permanently .'' 

 — E. M. 



3. Micro-spectroscope. — An easily-made form of spectro- 

 scope which can be attached to an ordinary microscope would 

 be a convenience. — W. S. 



