20 PRACTICAL PHOTO-MICROGRAPHY. 



negative is a matter requiring most accurate visual observation, 

 and that by a non-actinic light ; the light in question must 

 therefore be equable, ample, and " safe." Kunning water is 

 so great a convenience that many other desirables should, if 

 necessary, be sacrificed for a supply of water from a tap ; for 

 this reason, and also by reason of the waste-pipe, we might pre- 

 fer a room otherwise inconvenient if furnished with a tap, sink 

 and waste-pipe, to an apartment in other respects more com- 

 fortable and convenient. 



Critical photo-micrography requires at every stage com- 

 plete concentration of thought. The worker must not be dis- 

 tracted in the very slightest degree while " setting up " his 

 object or while developing his negatives. All steps, therefore, 

 should be taken to avoid confusion in the rooms of work. The 

 fewer the bottles of chemicals in the dark room, and the more 

 neatly they are arranged the better ; presses and shelves should 

 be provided for everthing required, which luckily is not much 

 unless great digressions are to be made from the matter treated 

 of in this book. 



Yery good work may be done with apparatus of ordinary 

 quality, but the very best work will only be done, and can only 

 be expected to be done, by the very best apparatus used with 

 the utmost skill. "We therefore counsel our Reader to begin 

 with the best of everything, so far as he can afford to pro- 

 cure it. It is false economy to buy mediocre instruments 

 for a start, because if we succeed and persevere we are sure to 

 require better implements as we advance in skill ; while if 

 we fail, become disheartened, and " chuck the thing up," 

 our shoddy outfit is valueless. 



It is difficult to draw aline between " easy " and " difficult " 

 photo-micrography, because each branch has its own difficulties. 

 In low-power work which is often called " easy" we have to 

 meet difficulties of uneven illumination, uneven surfaces and 

 puzzling colors ; in high-power or wide angle work, we have 

 to contend with difficulties in optics, in vibration, and in photo- 

 graphic technique. But always the best instruments produce 

 the best work, though often the best instruments are the most 

 difficult to work to their best advantage. 



