PEEFACE. 



Finally, it is the autlior's hope that, by the instrumentality of this 

 volume, he may possibly assist in bringing the Microscope, and its 

 most valuable and delightful studies, before the general public in a 

 more familiar, compendious, and economical form than has hitherto 

 been attempted ; and that he may thus, in these days of a diffused taste 

 for reading and the spread of cheap publications, submit some further 

 food for the exercise of the mental and intellectual faculties, — contri- 

 bute to the additional amusement and ijnstruction of the family circle 

 around the domestic hearth, — and aid the student of nature in investi- 

 gating the wonderful and exquisite works of the Almighty Hand. If 

 it shall be the good fortune of this work, which is now confided with 

 great diffidence to the consideration of the public, to succeed, in how- 

 ever slight a degree, in furthering this design, the author will feel sin- 

 cerely happy ; and wiU be fuUy repaid for the attention, time, and 

 labour, that he has expended in writing, arranging^ and compiling it. 



6 Oower Street, Bedford, Square, 

 May 1854. 



