RECENT MICROSCOPY. 
19 
talline forms produced by dissolving the substance to be 
crystallized in an aqueous solution of colloid silica, instead of 
in plain water. Figures of the patterns obtained will be found 
in the Journal for March 1871. Objects so prepared are of 
unusual beauty when seen with the polariscope. 
The attention of microscopists should be called to a series of 
papers by Dr. Braithwaite on the structure of bog mosses, 
which belong to the Transactions of the Boyal Microscopical 
Society. They will be found to suggest very interesting obser- 
vations concerning the minute structure of these highly curious 
and exquisitely formed objects, as well as indications of their 
true place in classification, which is higher than was formerly 
supposed. 
Many subjects belonging to minute anatomy and physiology 
that have been investigated during the year, especially in Ger- 
many, are too technical for popular interest, but in addition to 
what has been already mentioned, Dr. Lionel Beale’s discovery 
and beautiful exhibition of the nerves accompanying capillary 
vessels well merits notice. Whatever may be thought of por- 
tions of Dr. Beale’s reasoning, and of his antagonism to views 
of evolution or development, he stands in the very highest rank, 
if not at the very summit of observers. His skill in preparation 
is quite remarkable, and his employment of the highest and 
finest powers places him in advance of all competitors less pains- 
taking or provided with inferior optical means. Most physi- 
ologists will, it is apprehended, infer from the existence of 
capillary nerves, that they play an important part in controlling 
the circulation through minute vessels. 
M. Georges Pouchet has arrived at the conclusion that the 
sudden change of colour observable in certain fishes arises from 
the action of nerves upon their chromoblasts, or colour cells. 
In approaching the conclusion of these remarks, which have 
no pretensions to be exhaustive, the use made of the micro- 
scope by Mr. W. Kitchen Parker in his extremely valuable 
and remarkable morphological researches ought not to be 
omitted. Morphology is quite a modern science, and throws 
strong light upon such questions as the origin of species, Dar- 
winian theories, &c. &c. Its object is to trace the earliest 
appearance and formation of special parts and organs in various 
animals, and to compare parts which are similar in origin and 
position in all the creatures in which they can be discerned, 
and in all stages of growth. Mr. Parker’s attention has been 
recently given to the development of the skull in tadpoles and 
frogs ; and although an intimate acquaintance with comparative 
anatomy is necessary to follow various details, the broad results 
are as simple as they are instructive. He finds, for example, 
in the tadpole skull indications of higher types, and even of 
