86 
STUDIES OF NATURE ASSISTED BY THE MICROSCOPE. 
in the beautifully streaked blossom of the biennial; but the very fact of the appearance 
of blossom in the sample, that blossom being generally so much like the blossom of the 
biennial, leads to the very erroneous conclusion that it is the same plant. 
Owing to the extreme price which the dried biennial plant of the second year’s growth 
has realized in former years, the consumers have not given that encouragement to its 
production which its intrinsic value merits. The great difficulty, however, which has 
thus been felt till very recently—that of not being able to obtain a supply except at a most 
exorbitant price—is now to a great extent obviated. From a long, careful, and con¬ 
tinuous study of the cultivation of biennial henbane, I have at length so far succeeded 
in preserving it from the attacks of insects, to which it is ordinarily subject, and have to 
such an extent economized the system of drying the plant, as now to bring the price 
within reasonable bounds, and to leave those who prepare the tincture of this valuable 
plant without any just excuse for using an inferior article. 
This is not an age in which scientific research can be long baffled in its inquiries ; 
and as the articles in question will be placed before the public in the Paris Exhibition 
of 1867 (class 44), no more will be anticipated from their inspection by a competent 
tribunal than the closest scrutiny will justify .—Journal of the Society of Arts. 
STUDIES OF NATURE ASSISTED BY THE MICROSCOPE. 
An interesting lecture on the above subject was delivered by Mr. R. Goodwin Mum- 
bray, at the Lecture Hall, Hill Street, Richmond. 
The lecturer was introduced by Mr. Alderman Gould, J.P., of Kingston, who ex¬ 
plained the object of the “ Benevolent Fund of the Pharmaceutical Society,” in aid of 
which the lecture was about to be delivered. Mr. Gould observed that the present age 
was characterized by a development of Christian charity in providing for the wants of 
the aged and infirm of various societies and professions, and for the widows and orphans 
of their members: and among the rest chemists had a peculiar claim, the nature of t .eir 
business making such constant and imperative demands on their physical and mental 
powers, that they are unfortunately often left in premature old age to broken health and 
impoverished means. 
The lecturer commenced by observing that many of the most stupendous and wonder¬ 
ful operations of nature are inappreciable to the senses, and mentioned as examples, 
electricity, gravitation, the centrifugal and centripetal forces, and other agencies, which, 
although in constant action, we only become aware of their existence by their results. 
The lecturer, after referring to astronomy, and dwelling on the wondertul harmony 
of the heavenly bodies, said it was the manner of some who pride themselves on superior 
religious attainments to decry the practice of those who study natural religion ; but we 
had the authority of Holy Scripture for investigating the works of God in nature. 
Nature itself was a vast temple erected by the Great Architect for His own worship and 
glory. 
The lecturer passed from the simplest to the most complex forms of vegetable life; 
and explained the nature of polyps, corals, etc. etc. By the aid of the oxy-hydrogen 
microscope numerous beautiful objects were displayed, and the lecturer concluded by 
urging the advantages derivable from a study of natural objects. 
The chairman proposed a vote of thanks for the interesting lecture, in which he said 
no ordinary amount of ability had been displayed. 
Mr. Mumbray, in acknowledging the compliment, said he felt much obliged by the 
hearty manner in which his remarks had been received. Thanks were due to Professor 
Bentley for several beautiful diagrams kindly lent for the occasion. 
A vote of thanks to the Chairman, for his kind and able conduct, terminated the 
proceedings. 
