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II. — On the Present Condition of Microscopy in E^igland. 
By Feank Crisp, LL.B., B.A., Sec. E.M.S. 
(Bead hefore the Eoyal Microscopical Society, April 3, 1878.) 
My object tbis evening (writing tbrougbout in the spirit of the 
Publican and not of the Pharisee) is to call attention to what I 
think is an indisputable fact, that in recent years no substantial 
progress has been made in this country either in the knowledge 
of the theoretical principles of the microscope itself, or in the 
systematic investigation of microscopical phenomena. 
The microscope has, in fact, come to be regarded merely as the 
tool of the naturalist and the histologist ; and notwithstanding the 
objects for which this Society was established,* it may, I think, be 
truly said that out of the entire scientific world there is probably 
no body of men who devote so little real attention to the principles 
that lie at the root of that branch of science of which they are 
disciples, as do the English microscopists. 
As a particular instance, I may refer to the apathy that has 
been shown in regard to the researches of Professor Abbe on the 
theory of the microscope, — researches undoubtedly as important as 
any that can be found in the whole of its history, and rivalling 
even the discovery of achromatism, or that of Lister on aplanatic 
foci. It is, I think, not a little humiliating that such a discovery 
— in one aspect so simple — should not have originated in this 
country, we being the first, and for many years the only, nation to 
maintain a “ Microscopical ” Society. 
Whatever may be the cause of such apathy, it is evident that it 
cannot be attributed to any deficiency in the power of perseverance; 
for when we enter upon the discussion of a question, say of angular 
aperture, we do not rest content until a point has been reached 
which renders it impossible for anyone to say that the subject has 
not been exhausted to the very last limits. 
For this the condition of our literature is in part answerable. 
Eecall the contents of the generality of modern English treatises 
on the microscope, and what do we find ? Out of a given number 
of pages, a very small portion only is devoted to the optical prin- 
* The statement of the “ Objects of the Society,” prefixed to the Charter and 
Bye-laws, sets forth that “ the Society was established for the promotion and 
diffusion of improvements in the optical and mechanical construction^ and in the mode 
of application^ of the microscope : — 
“• For the communication and discussion of observations and discoveries tending to 
such improvements or relating to subjects of microscopical observation : — 
‘‘ For the exhibition of new or interesting microscopical objects and pre- 
parations, and for the formation of an arranged collection of such objects : — 
“ For affording the opportunity and means of submitting difficult and obscure micro- 
scopical phenomena to the test of instruments of different pouters and constructions : — 
“ For the establishment of a library of standard microscopical works.” 
