X PREFACE. 



of other facts, " that our large coal-beds are the ruins of 

 a gigautic vegetation ; and the vast limestone rocks, which 

 are so abundant on the earth's surface, are the catacombs 

 of myriads of animal tribes, too minute to be perceived by 

 the unaided vision." 



By " conducting the eye to the confines of che visible 

 form," the Microscope proves an effective auxiliary in 

 denning the geometric properties of bodies. Its influence 

 as an instrument of research upon the structure of bodies 

 has been compared to that of the galvanic battery, in the 

 hands of Davy, upon Chemistry. It detects the smallest 

 structural difference, heretofore inappreciable, and, as an 

 ally of Chemistry, enables us to discover the very small 

 changes of form and colour effected by test-fluids upon 

 solids ; it dissects for us, so to speak, the most multiplex 

 compounds ; it opens out to the mind an extended and 

 vast tract, opulent in wonders, rich in beauties, and bound- 

 less in extent. 



The Microscope not only assists studies, and develops 

 objects of profound interest, but it also opens up innumer- 

 able sources of entertainment and amusement, in the 

 ordinary conventional acceptation of these terms ; it dis- 

 closes to us peculiarities and attractions in abundance ; 

 it impresses us with the wonderful and beautifully-skilful 

 adaptation of all parts of creation, and fills our minds with 

 additional reverence and admiration for the beneficent and 

 Almighty Creator. 



The Author begs to conclude these prefatory observa- 

 tions with a few words in explanation of his arrangements, 

 and by way of acknowledgment to those to whom he is 

 indebted. He has sought, in the volume that he now lays 

 before the public, to point out and elucidate, at once in 

 a practical manner and in a popular style, the vast fund of 

 utility and amusement which the Microscope affords, and 



