PBEFACE. Vll 



It cannot be denied that in the composition of Manuals 

 on Histology the colour-top still plays a prominent role ; our 

 knowledge of this subject is still of the nature of a mosaic, 

 and in the exposition of the whole we eagerly cover the 

 mosaic with our paint. This is no doubt perceptible, to some 

 extent, even in this work ; but it is less apparent in proportion 

 as the several chapters approximate the characters of mono- 

 graphs ; it is moreover all the less injurious, inasmuch as the 

 whole is not pervaded by any one style. On the contrary, 

 the many and various modes of treatment observable in our 

 work form not the least of its excellencies. It thereby comes 

 nearer that goal towards which all handbooks should strive ; 

 viz., to draw a picture of the condition of ^theories at a given 

 period. Such a picture will the more closely approximate 

 truth the more completely the predominance of each individual 

 is suppressed. 



The variety of the mode of treatment nevertheless has an 

 attendant evil. The various co-workers are opposed to one 

 another in questions that are not altogether unessential. This 

 evil will however only trouble those who place the con- 

 venient arrangement of their knowledge higher than truth. 

 The learned, and those who would become such, will, I feel 

 sure, be satisfied that I have given space to conflicting views. 

 " Durch den Widerspruch wird der Geist der Pr lifting 

 genahrt." (Controversy is the mother of inquiry.) 



S. STRICKER. 



