x ii PREFACE. 



great care he has bestowed upon the engravings which 

 adorn these pages. 



Finally, it is the Author's hope that, by the instru- 

 mentality of this volume, he may possibly assist in bring- 

 ing the Microscope, and its most valuable and delightful 

 studies, before the general public in a more familiar, com- 

 pendious, and economical form than has hitherto been 

 attempted; and that he may thus, in these days of a 

 diffused taste for reading and the spread of cheap publica- 

 tions, submit some further food for the exercise of the 

 mental and intellectual faculties, contribute to the addi- 

 tional amusement and instruction of the family circle 

 around the domestic hearth, and aid the student of 

 nature in investigating the wonderful and exquisite works 

 of the Almighty Hand. If it shall be the good fortune of 

 this work, which is now confided with great diffidence to 

 the consideration of the public, to succeed, in however 

 slight a degree, in furthering this design, the Author will 

 feel sincerely happy, and will be fully repaid for the atten- 

 tion, time, and labour that he has expended in writing, 

 arranging, and compiling it. 



6, GOWER STREET, BEDFORD SauARE, 

 May, 1854. 



