150 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [August, 
then done the preliminary labor and obtained his results, but he must now 
record these results so as to make them available for future use. For while 
the collector of a handsome cabinet may not be interested in the completest 
study of his acquisitions, the successful student must not only thoroughly 
understand his sections and be able to build from them the organ under ex- 
amination, but he must also have and keep the results at his finger ends for 
later use. To do this he cannot rely entirely upon his memory ; indeed, I 
might almost say that the average student should not rely in any degree upon 
his memory. But the registration of a proper record will furnish the ma- 
terials for memory to work upon in their most easily remembered shape, and 
thus really aid it. A record of the proper shape will mean an analysis of 
the facts presented and a clear one, and hence in the shape easiest to recall. 
It seems, perhaps, superfluous to dwell upon this matter, and yet for the 
student it is, perhaps, the most important one in this chapter, as may be evi- 
dent as we proceed. It requires the digesting of the more crude material 
furnished by the observation and study of the section. For the purpose of 
this record two processes are requisite :—a, drawing, and 4, written description. 
a. Drawing.—It is not at all hazardous to assert that it is at drawing that 
five out of every six students, who halt at any part of biological work, rebel. 
They can’t ‘ draw,’ and they are so fully prepossessed by the idea that it amounts 
to a monomania on the subject, and actually inhibits the exercise of what 
little real power in that direction they may have. It is absurd for anyone 
who can see and who can hold a pen to say he ‘ can’t draw,’ not ‘ can’t draw 
well,’ but ‘can’t draw.’ If one can see a straight line on a piece of paper 
he can draw a second beside it of the same length as a tolerably faithful copy 
of the first; so of a crooked line, so of a collection of lines, provided he can 
draw the lines one by one and not confuse himself by a vast maze of lines. 
If he can do so free hand, much more can he do it with the aid of reflectors, 
whereby he virtually traces a copy of the first line or lines. If he can do it 
of lines he can do it of a picture, or can make a picture of any object in 
which he can extricate from the confusion which first strikes the eye the 
leading features, and copy them, and then fill in the lesser portions and com- 
plete his copy. 
Now, I do not say that all students can do this equally well, or even well, 
at first, in any proper sense of the word, but all can learn to attain some 
proficiency in the art if only they go about it in the right way. There are 
two elements which contribute toward the success of a histological drawing :— 
first, skill in drawing lines, or technical skill ; second, and more important, 
skill in seeing the * points’ which are to show through the picture as the 
very essential points of structure, and enforcing them without making a mere 
diagram instead of a picture. 
In drawings which are made for the purpose of photographic reproduction 
much attention must be given to the manner of line drawn, as well to the 
tool, e. 2., pen or pencil or brush, and medium, as India-ink, crayon, etc., 
as to the character of line, whether broad or narrow, continuous or broken, 
even or ragged. But, setting this aside as not to, be considered in drawings 
to be preserved merely as notes of work, there are but few points of technique 
which need to be attended to by the beginning student. He should select a 
good paper—a medium weight bristol-board or a heavy banker’s linen being 
preferred by most—and it would be advisable to preserve all drawings and 
other notes upon uniform size pieces for convenience in filing for later refer- 
=) - . . 
ence. Many think that all drawings should be done with pen and India-ink. 
If this be the practice, a fine pen such as the lithographers use, or an Esta- 
brook No. 170 is the best for regular use. It is for some reasons better to use 
the pencil for preserving notes of this kind both because a false line can be 
