HALF AN HOUR WITH PREPARATIONS. 21 



of a change. The yellow and red-backed novel lost 

 its attractions, for you felt that one of the holidays, 

 which were so few in number, was slipping away 

 without being enjoyed. The dismal wails of the 

 German band at the end of the street seemed to be 

 a requiem for the day you were losing, and you felt 

 as if you could call out with the old Eoman about 

 it! 



On days like these, dear reader, your microscope 

 comes to you like a messenger of peace. You will be 

 surprised to find how it enables you to economise your 

 time. Perhaps for several days previously you had 

 collected a heap of things, and placed them aside, in- 

 tending to look at and examine them more closely 

 by-and-by. That time has now come, and you set to 

 work to utilise it. You examine, say, the spores of the 

 seaweeds you have collected, the diatoms you have 

 in that little bottle, or attempt for the first time to 

 extract the tongue of a limpet or a whelk, for the 

 purpose of seeing the rows of curved siliceous 

 teeth that cover it. If you have brought with you a 

 few slips of glass for " mounts," you may try your 

 hand at mounting these objects, so that they remain 

 for years useful mementoes of a pleasant visit. 



Supposing you intend to " go in " for collecting 

 anything you may come across, we should advise you 

 to get a few, two or three, gardener's bell glasses, 

 those usually known to that ancient craft as " propa- 

 gators," Figs. 1, 2, 3. They may be had cheaply 

 and easily enough, and any ordinary carpenter will 



