1889.] MICKOSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 207 



vantageously for the purpose of illustration and explanation. Occa- 

 sionally, original negatives are accepted in evidence, apparently under 

 the general but mistaken belief that they could not be materially altered 

 without more or less marring of the plate in such a manner as would 

 render the change obvious to a casual observer. 



Of late years much has been said in favor of cheap and simple mi- 

 croscopes, and the large complicated instruments have been severely 

 condemned. One of the strong points in favor of the continental in- 

 struments is their simplicity. Nevertheless, the fact remains that the 

 fewer accessories with which a microscope is provided, and therefore 

 the simpler its construction, the more limited is its field of usefulness. 

 Certainly in the department of legal microscop}' the most perfect in- 

 struments and appliances known are a necessity if the work is to be 

 properly executed. 



The microscope itself, where only one is employed, should have all 

 the requisite scales, and a mechanical stage provided with index for 

 finding objects is a necessity. The cobweb eye-piece micrometer 

 should be provided not only with the usual index and lines for measur- 

 ing but also a graduated scale for determining the angles of crystals. 

 Polarizing apparatus with selenites is frequently required. A spectro- 

 scopic attachment is also essential. Where possible, it is more conve- 

 nient to use diderent instruments for certain processes of an examina- 

 tion. Such, for example, as the inverted microscope used in the chemi- 

 cal analyses already referred to. Not only should a complete photo- 

 micrograpliic apparatus be accessible, but also cameras and lenses for 

 ordinary photographing and copying, together with a fully-equipped 

 dark room for the development and treatment of plates. 



Thus equipped, and with the requisite skill, the modern microsco- 

 pist may become a true amicus curia: in the best sense of that much- 

 abused term. It is true that an industrious and exhaustive search by 

 all the means at our command may sometimes produce only negative 

 results, yet, in other instances, there will be revelations which shall 

 change the whole theory of a plea in civil actions, while, in criminal 

 causes, they may become a terror to the guilty or a joy to the innocent. 

 Much is illusive in all methods of scientific research, yet it has been 

 found that microscopy can sometimes 



" Hold the eel of science by the tail " 

 when every other method of investigation has wholly failed. Especially 

 is this true of forensic microscopy, and the time has fully come when 

 counsel and client, courts antl juries, must and will give heed to its dis- 

 closures. 



Slides Received. 



We return thanks to the donor for the following interesting slide : 

 Native silver^ from " Qiieen Bee" mine, opaque. This is a beau- 

 tiful slide both in object and finish. A \ or i-inch objective and a two- 

 inch ocular shows it best. Prepared by W. N. Sherman, ISI. D., 

 Kingman, Ariz. 



Mr. C. L. Whittle is preparing an account of the results of micro- 

 scopic observation on the contact phenomena of trap and sandstone near 

 Meriden, Conn. The Museum of Comparative Zoology at Cambridge 

 has published a bulletin on the geological aspect of the faults in the 

 triasic formation at that point. 



