ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
69 
MICROSCOPY. 
Text-Books of Histology.* — Both the books mentioned below are 
excellent examples of the progress of modern histology, and of the fact 
that enthusiasm for details and the minutiae of methods has not thrown 
out of perspective a comprehensive and even philosophical treatment of 
a great subject. As a science, histology is dependent wholly on mani- 
pulative details ; but it is a notable fact that, in these two latest books 
which deal with it, its relations to biology as a whole are steadily, and 
with philosophical acumen, kept in view. 
The entire ground is covered by each of these books, and both jDresent 
much more of the earnestness of the teacher and the enthusiast than is 
to be found in the majority of even good text-books. 
In Mr. Clarkson’s treatise the practical side of histology is well 
and carefully presented. His treatment of “ General Methods,” in- 
volving the examination of tissues, and including dissociating, softening, 
hardening, imbedding, freezing, cutting, staining, and mounting, is 
concise but sufficient, while his treatment of £i Simple Tissues ” we may 
commend with supreme confidence to the student. It however includes 
t; The Animal Cell,” and as this involves its nature, its nucleus, and 
the whole subject of karyokinesis, we might have desired a more 
expansive treatment ; but we are bound to remember that, relatively 
large as the book is, nothing was easier than to lose perspective in 
dealing with the descriptive and practical aspects of such a wide sub- 
ject, which, as the author himself tells us, “ cannot aspire to be of the 
nature of an exhaustive treatise on any part of it.” But even this part 
has the advantage of great clearness, and shares with the entire book 
the quality of not being merely descriptive, but, at least to the limits 
required by the student, thoroughly practical. Moreover, the illustra- 
tions, from their accuracy and excellence, must prove of great value to 
those for whom the book was written. Considering the professed object 
of the work, the whole subject of Histology is dealt with in successive 
chapters, which we venture to think represent honest and sincere work. 
Everywhere the least has been said consistently with intelligibility, so 
that on the whole subject the most might be said ; and we believe that 
the student who will as conscientiously work through the pages of this 
book as its author has conscientiously prepared it, will at least have a 
general mastery of his subject, and if such be his object, he will have 
laid a good foundation for future original research. 
Prof. Duval’s “ Precis d’Histologie ” has a larger and higher aim 
than Mr. Clarkson’s manual ; it is, indeed, one of the most compre- 
hensive and philosophical treatises of the general subject with which we 
are acquainted. It contains more than twice as much matter as the 
* ‘A Text-Book of Histology, Descriptive and Practical. For the Use of 
Students. By Arthur Clarkson, M.B., C.M. Edin., with 174 original coloured illus- 
trations. Bristol, Wright & Co. ; London, Simpkin & Co., 1896,’ xx. and 554 pp. 
‘Precis d’Histologie. Par Mathias Duval, Professeur a la Faculte de Medecine 
de Paris, Membre de l’Academie de Medecine. Ouvrage accompagne' de 408 figures. 
Paris, Masson et Cie., Editeurs-Libraires de l’Academie de Medecine, 120 Boulevard 
Saint-Germain, 1897,’ xxxi. and 956 pp. 
