48 HOW TO USE THE MICROSCOPE 



many things that would escape the desultory 

 observer, but also of understanding the meaning of 

 what he sees. 



Very probably the reader, while desiring to do 

 serious work, has no special inclination to any par- 

 ticular study, and in a way feels lost or bewildered 

 amidst the innumerable possibilities of Nature. 

 What is to be done under such circumstances ? 

 All I can advise is that he take a walk, and bring 

 home the first object that attracts his attention, 

 whether it be mineral, vegetable, or animal. Let 

 that object be studied in all its aspects, and be 

 allowed to form a centre, or starting-point. If it 

 be studied intelligently it wiU lead to innumerable 

 inquiries, and be a means of accumulation of much 

 knowledge. For a single object from Nature has 

 vast relations ; it is interesting in itself and in its 

 relations to other things. How did it come into 

 being ? Of what is it composed ? What is its 

 use ? How is it affected by its environment ? 

 What effect does it have on its surroimdings ? 

 These are samples of many inquiries to be made, 

 and the use of the microscope will assist us to a 

 number of conclusions. 



The other day I was searching for molluscs among 

 some stinging-nettles, and in the eagerness of my 

 quest got stung. Writing the foregoing lines brings 

 the irritating little experience to mind. Suppose 

 a reader goes out and is stung by a nettle. Why 

 should he not take his revenge, and turn his experi- 

 ence to account by making the stinging hairs of the 

 nettle the subject of microscopic investigation ? 

 And this little study may suggest a verj? instructive 



