200 
OBITUARY. 
[Monthly Microscopical 
Journal, March 1, 1869. 
Leaving the useless, harmless Diatomaniacs out of the question, 
what i^ractical microscopist will be content with a kind of objective 
which (according to its advocate) would seem to bear with advantage 
but one kind of test, one kind of illumination, and both these of rare 
occasional use to original investigators ? 
The objection to the Podura-scale as being a test open to " flattery " 
is puerile. If the ordinary large scale be found too coarse for extra 
high powers, there are small scales with delicate markings never yet 
well made out ; and many other definition-tests for axial illumination, 
the existence or use of which is (by Mr. Mayall) strangely, but perhaps 
not unaccountably, ignored. 
I am, Sir, your faithful servant, 
Cornhill. H. DaVIS. 
OBITUAKY. 
The late Mr. Thomas Brightwell. 
Died at his residence, Surrey Street, Norwich, on the 17th No- 
vember, 1868, Thomas Brightwell, F.L.S., aged 80. — Of the respect 
and esteem felt for him by his fellow-citizens it is not necessary here 
to speak ; but a few words in memory of so ardent a student of the 
microscope may interest many to whom his name will be familiar. 
Always an attentive observer in all branches of Natural History, from 
the time that the improvements in the microscope placed in his hands 
a first-rate achromatic instrument, Mr. Brightwell devoted himself 
largely to its use, and more especially applied himself to the study 
of the Diatomacece. In the earlier volumes of the ' Microscopical 
Journal' will be found his papers on the Genera Triceratium 
ChcEtoceras, &c., and also on the Nodilucce, from which he obtained 
many interesting marine forms. About ten years ago symptoms of 
cataract in both eyes enforced the abandonment of his favourite pur- 
suit. His cabinets then contained about 1500 slides ; some illustrating 
his own papers, others presented to him by Dr. Gregory, Dr. Wallich, 
Dr. Hooker, from the Himalayas, besides one fine series to represent 
the British species, and another the forms found in guano. Mr. 
Brightwell was anxious that the slides from which his own papers 
were written should be always available for examination, and he there- 
fore determined to give his instrument and collection to the few friends 
who, under the title of the ' Norwich Microscopical Society,' had been 
in the habit of meeting with him monthly at one another's houses. 
The gift was thankfully received, and the necessary arrangements for 
its safe custody soon made. The Society has since had the pleasure 
of lending a series of nearly three dozen slides to Dr. Eulenstein, of 
Dresden, for reference in his forthcoming work on Diatomacece. 
Thanks to an operation performed by Mr. Bowman, Mr. Brightwell 
recovered his sight. Prudence prevented any resumption of micro- 
