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lY. — The Microscope and its Misinterpretations. 
By John Michels. 
The old adage that " seeing is believing " has long been exploded, 
and folks nowadays receive with caution the impressions conveyed 
by their eyesight. 
There is still, however, a fixed idea with many people that, when 
the human sight is aided by powerful and correctly-constructed 
optical instruments, full reliance can be placed upon such united 
powers, and that the investigator may record that which he believes 
he sees as veritable and established facts. 
In contradiction of such belief I shall place before the reader 
some curious results, which will show that the utmost caution is 
required by those using optical instruments for the elucidation of 
scientific problems or ordinary research. 
Quite an interesting paper could be written upon the optical 
delusions with which astronomers have to contend in the use of the 
telescope, but I propose to confine my remarks to the difficulties 
which beset the path of the microscopist, in obtaining truthful and 
accurate results, while using the microscope, leading to the most 
contradictory statements from men whose powers of observation 
and skill in the use of the instrument are admitted. 
Those who make use of a microscope for the first time are 
usually fascinated by the wonderful and beautiful appearances pre- 
sented, and, having illuminated the object under examination with 
a flood of light, and focussed it to their satisfaction, congratulate 
themselves upon the ease with which they have handled the instru- 
ment, and fondly believe they have attained to a knowledge of its 
use. More extended study, however, and the use of high powers 
with the more complicated pieces of apparatus, soon convince the 
student that the instrument requires the most delicate manipulation, 
and that much practice is necessary before its true powers are 
developed. 
Until full command over a microscope has been acquired, the 
most contradictory and perplexing results are obtained by those who 
use high powers in the examination of difficult objects, especially if 
the subject is very transparent. Things examined yesterday appear 
quite difierent to-day, both in form and colour ; and even while the 
eye is still fixed upon the object, a shght change in the position 
of the mirror will alter its appearance, or present entirely new 
features. 
Again, an object mounted in different mediums, or without any, 
will present the most varied appearances, and the* honest investigator 
is thus embarrassed to decide which is the true form. 
These comphcations follow the use of the instrument through 
