138 THE SEVEN FOLLIES OF SCIENCE 



ceptional case. The only aid given by the eye in the case 

 of such minute writing is the arrangement of the lines, 

 otherwise the writing could be done as well with the eyes 

 shut as open. 



Since the mechanical limitations which we have noted 

 prevent us from going very far with the instruments and 

 materials mentioned, the next step is to adopt a finer sur- 

 face and a sharper point. These conditions may be found 

 in the fine glazed cards and the metal pencils or styles used 

 by card writers. In these cards the surface is nearly homo- 

 geneous, that is to say, free from fibers, and the point of 

 the metal pencil may be made as sharp as a needle, but to 

 utilize these conditions to the fullest extent, it is necessary 

 to aid the eye, and a magnifier is, therefore, brought into 

 use. Under a powerful glass the hand may be so guided 

 by the eye that the writing produced cannot be read by the 

 unaided vision. 



The specimens of fine writing thus far described have 

 been produced directly by the hand under the guidance 

 either of a magnifier or the simple sense of motion. Just 

 how far it would be possible to go by these means has 

 never been determined, so far as I know, but those who 

 have examined the specimens of selected diatoms and in- 

 sect scales in which objects that are utterly invisible to the 

 naked eye are arranged with great accuracy so as to form 

 the most beautiful figures, can readily believe that a com- 

 bination of microscopical dexterity and skill in penmanship 

 might easily go far beyond anything that has yet been ac- 

 complished in this direction, either in ancient or modern 

 times. 



But by means of a very simple mechanical arrangement, 

 the motion of the hand in every direction may be accurately 



