666 SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 



from its having been so confidently expected that at last the vapourings of 

 microscopical theorists would be exploded and the superior value of a little 

 practical demonstration clearly shown. Theory might attempt to decide 

 that 200,000 lines to the inch could not be resolved with our present 

 resources, but what could that avail against the fact not merely that 

 200,000 lines to an inch had been ruled, but that they had actually been 

 seen. 



When it was known that Mr. C. Fasoldt, of Albany, New York, who 

 from all accounts is a most able and skilful ruler of lines, intended to show 

 200,000 lines to an inch at the last meeting of the American Society of 

 Microscopists, expectation was at fever heat, and the feelings of some of 

 our theoretical microscopists can be better imagined than described. It 

 was evident that it was no longer an occasion for sucb merriment as 

 followed the statement of the belief of a correspondent that " with a little 

 patience " the feat could be accomplished, nor was the offer now only one to 

 " make affidavits " that the lines had been seen * (as if the question was 

 simply one of veracity), but it was declared that a practical demonstration 

 would be given by the author of the lines in the presence of the members 

 of one of the first microscopical societies of the world. This might well 

 excuse, not only excitement but anxiety, on the part of tbose who had been 

 pinning their faith on the fact that a good many things must happen before 

 200,000 lines to the inch can be not merely ruled but seen. 



The day came, but alas ! with the day the man came not — " circum- 

 stances prevented that pleasure." In place of the man came only a 

 ruling and a letter. That the ruling was all it claimed to be we have no 

 manner of doubt ; what the letter was can be best appreciated by printing 

 it in fuU.f 



"Albany, N.Y., August 2, 1886. 

 " Secretary American Society Microscopists. 



" Dear Sir, — I had intended to be present at your meeting this month, 

 " but circumstances will now prevent that pleasure. With this I send the 

 " Society a fine ruling 5000 to 200,000 lines per inch (23 bands). This 

 " ruling has been resolved by several persons here, with my vertical 

 " illuminator and 1/12 h. im. objective. I had intended to meet with you 

 " and display these lines with my apparatus, but that being impossible, I 

 " send the lines, hoping that some of the members will be able to see them 

 " all as has been done here. I shall always be glad to receive any one 

 " interested in rulings, and will display them to any one who will favour 

 " me with a visit at Albany. 



" Tours very truly, Chas. Fasoldt." 



The only record consequent on this letter is a vote of thanks for the 

 gift, and we have reluctantly therefore been forced to the conclusion that 

 there (whatever had been done " here "), no one was in fact " able to see 

 them all," so that we have a respite, however brief, from that rude awaken- 

 ing which we must nevertheless consider to be still in store for us. 



Boys, C. V.— See " Orderic Vital." 



E WELL, M. D.— A further study of centimeter scale " A." 



Froc. Amer. Soc. Micr., 9tb Ann. Meeting, 1886, pp. 75-82. 



„ Comparison of a standard centimeter ruled on glass by Chas. Fasoldt, 



with centimeter scale " A." ibid., p. 83. 



* See tbia Journal, 1886, p. 868. 



t Proc. Amer. Soc. Micr., 9th Ann. Meeting, 1886, p. 206. 



