78 
Transactions of the 
[Monthly Microscopical 
Journal, Feb. 1, 1869. 
It would be an invidious task for me to point out, among the 
various synoptical lists and catalogues issued by the numerous 
manufacturers of microscopes and microscopic specimens, those 
meriting commendation as regards the arrangement adopted. Some 
I find are curt business-like circulars, others aspire to a very 
complete arrangement of the objects, grouping them, however, 
under such heads as already have been referred to when speaking of 
Quekett's ' Treatise on the Microscope.' 
I purposely avoid lengthened remarks on the many divisions 
and subdivisions of textures, to be found in the numerous and often 
excellent works devoted to special departments of histology. My 
aim has rather been to quote a few of such published lists as indicate 
in a general way practical grouping of series of objects of a varied 
character for cabinets. Such indeed as might be found in any 
ordinary miscellaneous collection. Thus of literature of the former 
class I may instance Kolliker's ' Handbueh der GewehelehreJ the 
English translation of which ('Manual of Human Microscopic 
Anatomy,' 1860) in the contents affords a model of classification, 
textural and organal, of the histology of man. In the same way, I 
might refer to treatises on Botany, on the Lower Forms of Animal 
Life, on Entomology, on the Teeth, &c., &c., but this I fear would 
more confuse by multiplicity of detail than lend efiectual aid in the 
systematic distribution of specimens among which there might not 
be a slide representative of the theoretic outhne. As a rule, how- 
ever, the minor subdivisions of writers on special branches may be 
advantageously employed were there sujS&cient examples to carry 
out the grouping effectually. 
What British and few Continental collections of microscopical 
preparations I have had the opportunity of inspecting, have appeared 
to me defective in arrangement; unless where the objects were 
limited to illustration of a single department. From these latter, 
however, one may learn a lesson and build together material of 
different kinds. For example, my friend Mr. David Forbes has a 
rich microscopical collection of sections of rocks and minerals, and 
which he has placed together on sound geological principles.* 
The British Museum, that badly displayed but nevertheless rich 
treasury of natural objects, possesses a good series of Diatomacese, 
many type specimens ; and these, thanks to the untiring zeal of Mr. 
W. Oarruthers, are carefully labelled and systematically catalogued^ 
according to a modification of Kiitzing's Grenera. 
Lastly, in this section of my paper, I have much pleasure in 
referring to the recent labours of my kinsmen in America. As the 
* See his paper on "The Microscope in Geology," ' Popular Science Review,' 
Oct. 1867. 
t ' Handbook of British Water-weeds ; or, Algse.' By Dr. J. E. Gray, the 
Diatomaceae by W. Carruthers. Lond. 1864. 
