Introduction 3 



under glass shades, and intended more for ornament than 

 use. At the present time every hospital student has to 

 provide himself with a microscope, and become practically 

 acquainted with the ultimate structures of organs and 

 tissues, both in health and disease. The microscope has 

 been introduced into many ordinary schools, and teachers 

 are slowly realizing that ' we think in pictures,' and that as 

 sight aids the memory, so an ounce "of ocular demonstra- 

 tion is worth a pound of oral description. The result is, 

 that erstwhile dry-as-dust lectures in zoology and botany 

 are now anticipated by students with keen interest on 

 account of the pleasure derived by examination with the 

 microscope of the actual subject of study. By means of the 

 microscope the pharmacist is able to judge of the quality 

 of his drugs ; the Medical Officer of Health uses it to detect 

 adulterations, entozoa, and bacteria ; the brewer and the 

 baker watch their ferments with it, and it is employed by 

 iron and steel workers, seedsmen, dairymen, clothworkers,' 

 handwriting experts, and, in fact, in nearly every vocation 

 it is becoming more and more an indispensable referee. 

 It therefore is something more than a mere tool which 

 magnifies, for it contributes in a vital degree to our well- 

 being and comfort. 



To the microscopical societies also the evolution of the 

 microscope is due in no small degree, and especially does 

 this apply to the Eoyal Microscopical Society and the 

 Quekett Microscopical Club, both of which meet in London 

 at 20, Hanover Square. Every improvement in the instru- 

 ment and its accessories that takes place is presented to 

 these societies for criticism, and in connection with both of 

 them, as officers and members, are men who have attained 

 the highest eminence in microscopical science and manipu- 

 lation, whose judgments have influenced and moulded the 

 character of microscopy, and who are ever willing to assist 

 by advice and suggestion any who will avail themselves of 

 their experience. It is most desirable that microscopists 

 should become members of a good microscopical society, 



1—2 



