JOURNAL 
OF THE 
mknrstapitid Srrmlg of firtnria. 
Micro-Chemical Experiments and Observations on the Structure oj 
Human Blood . 
By Thomas Shearman Ralph, M.R.C.S. Eng. &c., 
Pres. Mic. Soc. Victoria. 
[Read 30th June, 1881.] 
While it is true much has been written oh the subject of the 
blood and its investigation by means of the microscope, and also 
chemical agents applied, yet at this hour it seems to me that our 
knowledge regarding the structure of the blood, not to say its 
composition, is by no means exact, and that, moreover, some 
incorrect statements are still promulgated in text-books for 
students, who thus obtaining their impressions on this subject 
seldom undertake for themselves any extended inquiry as to their 
absolute correctness. 
It may seem to be a bold and presumptuous action for any one 
to come forward and challenge the correctness of points on this 
subject, which are generally admitted and quoted as fixed and 
certain ; but seeing that what I have already advanced and pub¬ 
lished has received no notice or comment, I again invite attention 
and discussion thereon by re-stating them, with considerable 
additions, in this our local Journal. As the subject is involved 
in a special use of tho microscope, I deem it more needful to avail 
myself of such a publication as will circulate freely among workers 
with that instrument; aud perhaps a want of this kind 1ms delayed 
that inquiry which I now desire to stir up, and finding moreover, 
that an approach to the method of examination I adopted some 
fifteen years ago has made its appearance in the Journal of the Royal 
Microscopical Society of May and July, 1878,1 am induced again to 
appear in print in order to push the subject still more vigorously. 
(2.) In order, therefore, that I may the more clearly and 
positively draw attention to what I know to be important points 
to be recognised in tho structure of the blood, I will at once state 
the views I have adopted, and having formulated them, will 
proceed to illustrate them by detailing my experiments, leaving 
VoL. II. „ 
