OF NEEVES TO THE CAPILLARIES OF BAT's WIXG. 319 



not render clear the arrangement, even of the nerve- 

 fibres constituting the large trunks. Of the division 

 and subdivision of the nerve-fibres so very distinct in 

 every part of my specimens (see Plate XX) not an 

 indication has been given in Schobl's beautiful draw- 

 ings. The method of preparation I ' have adopted 

 seems, so to say, to carry one a long way further into 

 the wonderful details of minute structui'al arrange- 

 ments than the processes of preparing specimens 

 usually resorted to. 



I have already described the method pursued. It 

 is that which I have followed for more than ten years, 

 and which in my hands has been most successful, 

 and is given in "How to Work with the Microscope," 

 4th Edition, and in the " The Physiological Anatomy 

 and Physiology of Man." By Dr. Todd, Mr. Bowman, 

 and myself. Second Edition. Part I, page 57. I feel 

 sure that the plan is capable of fui'ther improvement 

 in practical details, and that, upon the principles 

 which I have laid down, delicate structures, which 

 have not yet been seen by man, will be demonstrated 

 by patient and well-practised observers. The process 

 is troublesome, and for this reason it has not been in 

 much favour. In these days investigation must be 

 conducted with great haste, and new facts discovered 

 very quickly. There is therefore little chance of get- 

 ting many persons to spend sufl&cient time in mere 

 practice to enable them to gain the requisite skill for 

 the very much more minute investigation by which 

 alone the structure of the most delicate textures 

 which is now so much desired can be demonstrated, 

 and which must be carried out before we can hope to 

 arrive at positive conclusions on fundamental anato- 

 mical questions of the greatest importance. At the 

 same time, it seems scarcely fair on the part of ob- 

 servers who object to one particular method of 

 enquiry, to condemn it, and to mistrust the results 

 without having examined the specimens. 



u 2 



