PREFACE. 



MICROSCOPY has of late years taken such a hold on cultivated 

 minds, that I believe an apology for sending this work into 

 the world is scarcely needed. 



It commences with some of the primary forms of Vegetable 

 life, and proceeds onwards through the tissues to the woody 

 structures of the Exogens and Endogens, next descending to 

 the Acrogens, and so passing to the extreme limits of vege- 

 table life, as the Desmidiese &c., thence to the lower forms 

 of Animal life, the Infusoria, and on through the Radiata to 

 the Insects, which are drawn and described in their various 

 orders, and the minute organs figured separately. 



In the concluding Plates are represented interesting and 

 characteristic geological structures, with some of the more 

 curious forms and groupings of crystals. 



It has been my aim to represent as faithfully as possible 

 some of the forms of hidden nature ; and I sincerely trust 



