VALUE OF THE MICROSCOPE TO VETERINARY MEDICINE. 661 
sion, who have grown grey-headed in its service, and where, 
consequently, it was reasonable to expect most prejudice to 
novelty, have not only shown their appreciation of the instru¬ 
ment by employing it themselves, but have done their best to 
introduce it to the favorable notice of others. And I cannot 
refrain from mentioning, because I see in the circumstance 
a proof of the advancement of our science, that a year or two 
since the students of this institution, and they well deserve 
this name in addition to that of pupils, marked their esti¬ 
mation of its value, by presenting to the demonstrator of 
anatomy a first-rate instrument of this description. 
Alluding to the use of the microscope, Mr. Grainger, in the 
Hunterian Oration of 1848, thus expresses himself :—“ It may 
be unhesitatingly affirmed that of all the means yet devised 
for demonstrating the structure of the human body, none are 
comparable, as to exquisite clearness and distinctness, with 
those afforded by well-prepared microscopic specimens. No 
dissection, however minute, no preparation which is the mere 
production of the scalpel, can approach in delicacy, definition, 
or beauty, to the results of minute injection or successful 
sections.” In support of this assertion, (he adds,) “ I can ad¬ 
duce my own experience as a teacher; and if any further con¬ 
firmation be needed, I may appeal to those who have availed 
themselves of the admirable demonstrations delivered within 
the walls of this theatre. It is a source of sincere con¬ 
gratulation that such ample means of illustration have been 
thus provided; and as these lectures were established by the 
Council of the College before I had the honour of being one 
of its members, I may, perhaps, without impropriety, be per¬ 
mitted to convey to you, sir, as the representative of that 
body, an expression of thankfulness, not, I feel assured, con¬ 
fined to myself alone, for the adoption of a measure so well 
calculated to promote a taste for the higher branches of phy¬ 
siological science.” 
In another part of the same address, he also says, u how 
readily does the mind apprehend and retain such truths 
as these; that all secerning organs, whether these are se¬ 
rous membranes, mucous membranes, or glands, have essen¬ 
tially but one structure, that of the epithelial cells; that 
all organs, muscles, nerves, cartilage, and even epidermic 
parts, bear one definite relation to the blood-vessels, all being 
extra-vascular; that formations, apparently the most dissi¬ 
milar—the salivary glands, the lungs, and the liver—are 
formed upon one common and readily-comprehended plan.” 
And he goes on to observe, “ it must further be remarked, 
that not only are the leading principles thus stamped with 
that highest character of truth, simplicity , but likewise that 
