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 am 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 then look at it at your leisure, rather than study 

 it upon the sea-shore." 



