Aemstrong : Pleasures of a Microscopist. 23 



collecting Ms objects, afterwards in preparing and mounting them, and 

 finally arranging and classifying them in his cabinet, he has work that 

 should be both a pleasure and a gain. Anthropologists say the proper 

 study of mankind is man ; agreeing with them that man is a noble 

 object of study, we suggest there are other problems we should not 

 neglect. With Tennyson we may say : — 



" All nature widens upwards evermore ; 

 The simpler essence lower lies." 



The lower kinds of animal life, also the vegetable and mineral 

 kingdoms, are alike interesting to the microscopist. He lovingly 

 studies nature as she breathes, palpitates, and works under myriad 

 forms of life, — forms unseen, unsuspected, or unheeded by the non- 

 observant man. His course may be through park and meadow, garden 

 or lane, for everjrwhere we are surrounded with life, and wherever there 

 is life, there the microscopist has material for his studies. 



The life that stirs within us, stirs alike within the most minute and 

 despised of animals, so that they are not aliens, but in that respect 

 akin to us. The works of nature are the source of true knowledge, 

 and the study of them the most noble employment of the mind of 

 man. Every part of creation alike demands his attention. That man 

 is certainly the happiest who is able to find out the greatest number of 

 reasonable amusements easily attainable, and within his power. This 

 being so, he that is a student of the works of nature — as a microscopist 

 must be — is undoubtedly one of the happy ones, since every flower, 

 insect, fruit, leaf, indeed every particle of matter, affords him an enter- 

 tainment. Such a man can never let time hang heavy upon his hands ; 

 each field or pond is a cabinet of curiosities, every one of which he 

 longs to examine fully, and the whole universe is a magazine of 

 wonders, which infinite ages are scarce sufficient to contemplate and 

 admire enough. 



Dr. Murie very happily remarks : " Microscopical study is not 

 limited to beauty of form in diminutive objects, or perfection in optical 

 instruments; microscopy is rather the nucleus which, as it shoots 

 outwards, entwines among all the sciences dealing with organized 

 forms." The microscopical student can scarcely realise, at first, how 

 vast is the system in which his particular object of research is but an 

 element of detail. As with the attainment of result, so with the 

 enjoyment by the way — he who woos her only knows the pleasures 

 microscopy has in store for him. 



Manchester, July lOth^ 1876. 



