PREFACE 



The work, although entirely original — there being no " paste and scissors " in it — 

 does not claim to be an exhaustive treatise on the subject, or pretend to be of classical 

 importance. It has no pretensions of this kind whatever, but purports only to be 

 an account of the experience of the writer, extending over many years, in most if 

 not all departments of the subject. If any novelty can possibly be found it lies in 

 the fact that not only are exact details given as to how most types of test objects can 

 be photographed, but illustrations of the same are actually appended in the Frontis- 

 piece and Plates. As so large an amount of space, therefore, is occupied by Photo- 

 Micrography practically considered and explained, so the Author has been compelled 

 to his regret, by the limits of space, to omit all reference to the often better executed 

 work of fellow- workers in the subject, and the reader must excuse, on the same grounds, 

 the entire omission of all matters bibliographical or of an etiological nature. 



Being only a book on Photo-Micrography and not on the microscope, so all theory, 

 too, is purposely omitted, save so much as is necessary to render the text the more 

 intelligible. 



Notwithstanding the many " shortcomings" to be found, it is feared, by the critic, 

 and the expression sometimes of opinion which may be given too dogmatically, 

 perhaps, upon definite topics, the writer hopes the end may justify the means, and 

 that, even if fellow-workers of less experience may not derive the benefit he hopes 

 they may in perusing the chapters of this book, some may perchance be induced 

 thereby to take up this interesting subject, one so particularly of use to the doctor, 

 student, and the advanced chemist. 



The reproductions throughout the whole work have been entirely made by 

 Messrs. Dent & Co., art reproducers, Bromell's Road, Clapham, and the Author is 

 desirous of recording his thanks individually to Mr. A. Dent, of the firm, for the 

 amount of care and patience he has so unsparingly bestowed upon them. 



This Preface must not be allowed to conclude without the writer adequately 

 expressing his obligations to the several firms who have so liberally allowed him the 

 use of blocks, some taken especially for this work ; and, not least because last, his 

 thanks to his son, Mr. Harold Spitta, for his very great and continued assistance in 

 all departments of the work, whether in producing the original photo-micrographs or 

 in passing the sheets through the press. 



EDMUND J. SPITTA. 



Clapham, S.W 

 Jan. 1899. 



