X PEEFACE. 



reflections wHch he has devoted to it will, he hopes, lead the micro- 

 scopist to a fuller investigation of one of the most beautiful depart- 

 ments of nature. 



The Zoologist finds in the Microscope a necessary co-operator. To 

 the Geologist it reveals, among a multiplicity of other facts, "that our 

 large coal-beds are the ruins of a gigantic vegetation ; and the vast' 

 limestone rocks, which are so abundant on the earth's surface, are the 

 catacombs of myriads of animal tribes, that are too minute to be per- 

 ceived by the unaided vision." 



In medico-legal investigations the Microscope has been frequently- 

 called into use ; and in some cases human life has been pending upon 

 its accuracy of decision. 



The Microscope not only assists studies, and develops objects of 

 profound interest, but it also opens up innumerable sources of enter- 

 tainment and amusement, in the ordinary conventional acceptation of 

 these terms. It discloses to us peculiarities and attractions in abund- 

 ance. It impresses us with the wonderful and beautifully-skilful adap- 

 tation of all parts of creation, and fills our minds with additional rever- 

 ence and admiration for the beneficent and Almighty Creator. 



The author begs now to conclude these preliminary observations 

 with a few words in explanation of his arrangements, and by way of 

 acknowledgment to those to whom he is indebted. He has sought, in 

 the volume that he now lays before the public, to point out and eluci- 

 date, at once in a practical manner and in a popular style, the Vast 

 fund of utility and amusement which the Microscope affords ; and has 

 endeavoured to touch upon most of the interesting subjects for micro- 

 Bcopic observation as fully as the restrictions of a limited space, and 

 the nature of a succinct summary, would permit. To have dwelt upon 

 each in complete detail would have necessitated volume upon volume, 

 — expensive books must have resulted, — and this would have entirely 

 frustrated the aim which the writer had in view ; he has, therefore, 

 contented himself with the humble, but, he trusts, not useless task, of 



