162 METHODS OF MICROSCOPICAL* BESEARCH. 



royal road but that traversed by enthusiasm and 

 earnestness. Sketches from the hands of a dex- 

 terous microscopist, marking first impressions, are 

 often more valuable than, and superior to, the formal 

 work of the mere draughtsman, who may not even 

 know the significance of the subject, especially when 

 the result is a replication of drawings made by the 

 actual 'observer. He necessarily falls into one or 

 other of two errors ; he mends and improves, or 

 obscures material points by drifting into formal 

 monotony ; a microscopical draughtsman must 

 essentially be a microscopist, and work direct from 

 actual observation, completely understanding the 

 matter before him. 



There are three well defined characteristics of 

 microscopical representations, drawings of tissues, 

 or minute organisms, requiring for elucidation high 

 powers, delicate conditions of light, conducted 

 under careful observation and technical skill, satis- 

 fying the highest biological research, in its progress 

 demanding rigorous precision ; then, rapid sketch- 

 ing, catching features, graphic memoranda ; without 

 hesitation, or the assistance of the camera-lucida 

 jotting down, and washing in, with tints, un- 

 expected appearances, this readiness should be 

 cultivated by those desirous of adding record to 

 observation; many most important phases in the 

 sequence of activities have been seen and passed 

 over, when a few rough lines would have induced 

 and helped further research, but beyond this tenta- 

 tive work, and the stern formality of scientific 

 requirement, is a finished " picture ; " at this 

 crucial point the capability of the microscopist and 

 artist blend, involving knowledge of the subject, 



