20 The Microscope. 



CHAPTER HI. 



COLLECTION AND MOUNTING OP OBJECTS. 



|ND now let us discourse about objects for the 

 microscope. I hope the reader, by inspect- 

 ing the plates, and reading the descriptions 

 which follow these preliminary chapters, will find some 

 objects easy both of attainment and preparation. 



The collector of objects for the microscope will 

 most probably have a bias in favour of some particular 

 branch of Natural History. Entomology was my 

 favourite pursuit, and this will account for the promi- 

 nent place occupied in these pages by specimens taken 

 from the insect world. Some observers may feel in- 

 clined rather to devote attention to other departments 

 of nature, to which I have made but scanty allusion ; 

 my advice to each would be, collect as much as you 

 can of the things you like best, and learn how to see 

 and study them all independent research, especially 

 where you note down, and if possible, draw what you 

 see,* is interesting, and may prove to be valuable. 



* A camera-lucida is supplied, or an old one can be arranged, to 

 fit on to the eye-piece of the microscope, and enable the observer to 

 see at once the magnified image of the object, and a sheet of paper 

 on which, to trace its outline. When the first difficulty in using it is 

 mastered, it affords a valuable help in obtaining faithful drawings 

 of objects. 



