PREFACE. 



MICROSCOPIC INVESTIGATION of organic and inorganic 

 matter is so peculiarly characteristic of the actual 

 state of science, that the Author has ventured to give 

 a sketch of some of the most prominent discoveries in 

 the life and structure of the lower vegetable and marine 

 animals in addition to a few of those regarding inert 

 matter. 



The Author feels bound to return her best thanks 

 to kind Mends Sir John Herschel, Mr. Huggins, 

 Mr. Gwyn Jeffrey, Prof. Tyndall, and Mr. T. Moore of 

 Chelsea, who have aided in revising some of the sheets 

 for press, and have thus counteracted the disadvantage 

 under which she labours, of a residence abroad, and 

 at a distance from libraries of reference. 



