HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH MICROSCOPIC OBJECTS. 
55 
and imperfections are gradually disappearing under the hands 
of Dr. Maddox, and others who have devoted much time to the 
subject; and it is not unreasonable to expect that, with improve- 
ment in the various printing processes, the field of microscopic 
illustration by photography will be largely and indefinitely in- 
creased. 
In the present paper, I shall confine my remarks to the use 
of artificial light in photomicrography, in the conviction that it 
will eventually supersede the use of sunlight for these purposes, 
and that even now it will recommend itself by its many advan- 
tages to an increasing number of microscopic observers. Not 
only are the arrangements simpler and less costly with artificial 
light than with sunlight, but any room and any season is equally 
suitable ; there are no gloomy days, no fog, no winter to inter- 
fere with the operations. In the uninterrupted quiet of a long 
winter’s evening, by a comfortable fire, the student of natural 
phenomena has everything at his command, and is enabled to 
record with a faithfulness otherwise unattainable many interest- 
ing appearances which would otherwise be irretrievably lost. 
But if photomicrography offers so many advantages, why, it 
may reasonably be asked, is it so little practised as an art ? The 
answer will probably be found in the expenses attending the 
purchase of necessary instruments, and the difficulties insepar- 
able from microscopic and photographic manipulations. I think 
these are exaggerated, and it will be one object of these pages 
to show how anyone in possession of a good microscope may at 
a very trifling expense provide himself with every other requi- 
site for photomicrographic work. 
The arrangement adopted by Dr. Abercrombie* and myself is 
rude and perhaps unsightly, but it has the merit of cheapness 
in construction, simplicity, and perfect efficiency. No special 
apparatus has been introduced which cannot be made at home 
by the exercise of a little ingenuity and adaptation of available 
resources. 
Operating-Room . — Any sitting-room will fulfil all the con- 
ditions of a photographic chamber. Our own work was at one 
time carried on in a drawing-room. A candle shaded by a 
tripod stand of yellow calico, a steady table protected by a stout 
cloth, a bucket or basin, a jug and a good supply of water, will, 
with the camera and necessary chemicals, go far towards furnish- 
ing the requisite equipment. I shall now proceed to notice 
somewhat in detail the various instruments and processes re- 
quired, presuming in my readers such general knowledge of 
* I cannot send these pages to the press without acknowledging the kind- 
ness and assistance of my friend Dr. Abercrombie, with whom the memory 
of many pleasant 1 Evenings by Lamplight’ will always be associated. 
