84 The Microscope. 



out in all directions with a strange appearance,, as if 

 of life. 



Woody fibre. To be seen by examining thin sec- 

 tions of wood, of which beautiful specimens can be 

 procured from opticians, and in which may be traced 

 the process of their formation. Sections of roots and 

 stalks are also interesting. 



Hairs. These are formed of lengthened cells ; 

 the variety in their forms is wonderful, and many of 

 them are objects of great beauty. For instance, the 

 little purple tuft of them in the centre of the spider- 

 wort looks like numerous strings of amethysts of 

 oval shape that in the centre of the scarlet verbena 

 like a tiara of pearls. The rotation of cell-contents 

 can be observed in some of the finer hairs of the 

 spider-wort, as well as in those of dock and 

 groundsel. 



Pollen. The fine powder which is to be seen on 

 the anthers of full-blown flowers, has long been known 

 as an excellent object for the microscope. It can be 

 mounted on slides, but looks best when fresh best of 

 all when scattered on the velvet-like petal of the 

 flower to which it belongs. 



Seeds. Many of the smaller seeds are beautiful 

 objects in their natural state for the lowest power of 

 the microscope, being sculptured with sundry pits, 

 knots, and network patterns. Some are furnished 

 with wing-like and other appendages, which can be 

 highly magnified with good effect; and the outside 

 fibres of many are interesting ; for instance, the col- 

 lomia, already described, and the outer covering of 



