ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 863 



the idea presented. One finds fault with the measurement of 200 to 

 300 in the inch given by the article in the ' Banker's Maorazine,' and 

 declares * that the irregularities are ' without doubt caused by the 

 uneven surface of the paper fabric, assisted by capillary attraction.' 

 The proofs relied upon for this opinion are the uneven edges of an ink 

 drop, or of a line drawn by a ruler. From this the conclusion is 

 reached that ' there are no regular nerve-impulses perceptible.' As to 

 the number of the vibrations, I consider it a matter of but little im- 

 portance whether there are six or six thousand. The point I endorse 

 is, that there is an irregularity in the line which amounts to a rhythm. 

 The irregularity produced by absorption of ink by the paper is so 

 obvious, and so obviously different from the rhythm of progress, that 

 no practical microscopist would be in danger of confounding them, and 

 the veriest tyro would need no reminder. 



" Another criticism | is accompanied by a woodcut of pen-strokes 

 magnified forty diameters. An examination of this woodcut will con- 

 vince any one of the difference between the irregularities of linear 

 progress and the absorption of the " paper fabric." Difierences 

 in the irregularities of the lines are also obvious in the woodcut. 

 If it had been magnified but ten times (as proposed) instead of 

 forty, the rhythmical nature of the vibrations would have been more 

 evident. 



" In my first paper it was stated that a voluntary attempt at forgery 

 leads to an exaggeration or an interruption of the rhythm. To the 

 latter part of this statement the last criticism referred to lends un- 

 witting corroboration. If all my critics follow in this line, my posi- 

 tion will be well established. He says : ' The truth of the matter in 

 this respect is, that upon examination of the writing of the expert 

 forger under the Microscope we find the sides of the ink strokes much, 

 more even (less tremulous) than those of the one they are intended to 

 imitate. Indeed, this is often one of the very means by which the 

 fraud is detected.' If this language means anything different from the 

 following, from my own paper, I am unable to perceive it. ' The 

 regularity of this system is destroyed by a voluntary effort at imita- 

 tion, and is somewhat interfered with, but not entirely broken, by 

 mental excitement.' An ' expert forger ' will destroy the rhythm of 

 the impulses, rendering the line 'less tremulous' or smoother; 

 but a bungler, or one whose conscience interferes, will exaggerate the 

 rhythm. 



" In my essay I sought to classify and so put upon a scientific basis 

 facts relating to rhythms in handwriting, which any microscopist 

 ought to be able to verify. On such a subject it would be absurd to 

 seek for anything but absolute truth, however refined or difficult the 

 search. Coiu-teous criticism is therefore to be desired and not shunned. 

 I desire this the more as I am now considerably advanced in the pre- 

 paration of a book on this special subject, which will place the mode of 

 examination within the reach of all interested." 



At a subsequent meeting Dr. Wythe fui-ther enlarged upon his 



* See above, p. 862. t See above, p. 862. 



