204 HIDDEN BEAUTIES OF NATURE 



Another object easy to be obtained, and which 

 affords immense pleasure, is a section of a common 

 rush, proving that it is not always necessary to 

 purchase slides for examination when we have a 

 microscope. There are many slides which one might 

 have in reserve for use at any moment, but there 

 are subjects like the rush, that if taken fresh and 

 examined are preferable to dried-up specimens. 



The structure of the pith of the rush is quite be- 

 yond our powers of description. 



When enlarged, as on a screen in the lecture hall, 

 I always recommend it to ladies as a pattern for a 

 wool-worked shawl. The triangular arrangement of 

 air cells is as surprising as anything we should meet 

 with in all the vegetable kingdom, and we see at 

 a glance how it is that when pressed between the 

 finger and thumb and let go again the rush assumes 

 its usual shape. 



Time would fail to enumerate the beautiful objects 

 revealed by the microscope even in those things that 

 we rudely call ' common.' 



All Nature bears the impress of wisdom and skill 

 that must make us feel humble in the sight of our 

 good Creator. If our eyes were trained to see as we 

 ought to see, we should derive more benefit and 

 pleasure from our country walks: 



Let me give you an illustration, which requires no 

 microscopical aid, but is a direct result of observa- 

 tion : 



The hill-side sloping away to yonder meadow is 



