138 ELEMENTS OF APPLIED MICROSCOPY. 
and metallic luster of the deposit formed by inks con- 
taining gums and of the solid particles of coloring-matter 
always present. Even the changes of consistency in the 
same bottle on standing may be detected by this method. 
Direct evidence of forgery in the shape of alterations, 
erasures, or interlineations is often furnished by exam- 
ination with a hand lens or a low-power compound 
microscope. Erasures remove the sizing and loading 
material of the paper and leave loose ends of teased-out 
fibres in which the ink of later writings runs freely. 
Marks of preliminary tracings are sometimes apparent 
in cases of elaborate forgery. When two lines cross 
each other it may be of importance to determine which 
was made first; and here, too, the microscope is of 
service, since the upper line often shows a widening, 
due to capillarity, on entering the lower line, and a nar- 
rowing on leaving it. The continuity of the pen fur- 
rows of the upper line may also be apparent. Obliquely 
viewing the point of intersection with a hand lens, along 
the two lines successively, helps to make it clear which 
one was superposed. 
Proceeding to the handwriting itself, the general 
spacing of the lines, words, and letters should first be noted. 
The pen pressure, the shading, the general symmetry 
of words and letters, and the firmness of individual lines are 
all significant. Temperament manifests itself in haste or 
caution, in energy or reserve. Lack of facility, physical 
feebleness, and the labored attempt to imitate, alike pro- 
duce tremors which may easily be distinguished from 
each other, 
