CHAP. xv. THE MICROSCOPE. 303 



In one of his communications, Edward sent Mr. 

 Bate some parasites which he had taken from the 

 gills of a Crab. Many of the Crustaceans found by 

 him were so minute that they could scarcely be 

 examined in detail with the naked eye. Mr. Bate 

 accordingly, with great kindness, made Edward a pre- 

 sent of a microscope to enable him to carry on his 

 minute investigations. " It is," said Mr. Bate, in his 

 letter announcing the departure of the parcel, " what 

 we call a simple microscope, and I think you will find 

 it adapted for examining things out of or in doors. 

 It is made portable, and can be used upon the rocks 

 as well as in a parlour. It is similar to one which I 

 use myself for everything, excepting when I examine 

 into structural anatomy. I was not able," added Mr. 

 Bate, " to have it prepaid farther than Bristol ; so I 

 beg to enclose a few stamps, which I hope will cover 

 it for the remainder of the way." 



Edward at first found a difficulty in managing the 

 microscope, on which Mr. Bate sent him a long letter 

 illustrated by diagrams, informing him how he was 

 to use it. " I ana sure," he said, " you are too sharp 

 a fellow not to understand it thoroughly after these 

 few hints have been given you. ... I will also send 

 you a pocket lens, which you will find very useful. 

 . . . You will find it convenient during this cold 

 weather (24th November) to bring home anything, 

 and tli en look at it at your leisure, rather than study 

 it upon the sea-shore." 



