AmASustPi897;m'}    The  Pharmacist  and  the  Microscope.  399 
vegetable  drugs  possess  characteristic  structures,  therefore,  the 
pharmacist  ought  to  use  his  microscope  in  determining  all  of  the 
drugs  that  he  buys.  The  result  of  this  kind  of  writing  has,  to 
some  extent,  hindered  our  progress  in  practical  pharmacognosy  in 
this  country. 
ONE  MUST  BE  TAUGHT. 
To  possess  a  microscope  and  not  know  how  to  use  it,  or  to  think 
one  knows  how  to  use  it,  and  spend  one's  time  by  one's  self  in  en- 
deavoring to  interpret  what  is  revealed  there,  is  both  money  and 
time  wasted.  In  order  to  obtain  results  that  are  reliable  in  using  a 
microscope  for  any  purpose,  one  must  know  how  to  use  the  instru- 
ment and  understand  the  structures  in  the  department  (say  botany) 
where  it  is  to  be  used.  This  necessary  knowledge  can  come  only  by 
being  instructed  properly.  Of  all  the  instruments  yet  devised  in 
the  prosecution  of  scientific  research,  there  is  none  that  requires 
that  its  user  shall  be  better  taught  in  the  foundation  and  guiding 
principles  of  the  science  in  which  he  engages,  than  the  micro- 
scope. It  is  extremely  unprofitable  for  any  one  to  have  the  idea 
that  he  can  teach  himself  the  use  of  the  microscope  in  the  science 
in  which  he  proposes  to  apply  it.  It  looks  very  inviting  to  see  a 
good  illustration  and  to  read  of  sectioning,  mounting  and  examin- 
ing a  drug  with  the  microscope.  It  is  another  thing  to  do  the  work 
and  see  the  points.  Experience  teaches  us  that  a  beginner  finds  no 
help  in  the  illustrations  of  books.  What  the  beginner  needs  in 
doing  microscopical  work  are  not  illustrations  or  facts,  but  ability  to 
use  his  hand,  eye  and  brain  rightly.  One  must  be  taught,  i.  e.,  guided 
to  knowledge.  Time  must  first  be  consumed  under  a  competent 
teacher  in  mastering  the  construction  of  the  instrument  and  in  be- 
coming familiar  with  the  methods  of  doing  microscopical  work  and 
in  learning  the  foundation  and  guiding  principles  of  morphology 
(both  outer  and  inner)  of  the  plant  kingdom.  After  this  is  accom- 
plished the  student  will  find  books  helpful.  Now  he  can  use  his 
hands  properly,  see  with  his  eyes  correctly  and  interpret  with  his 
brain  rationally.  The  more  knowledge  that  is  gained  by  personal 
observation  the  stronger  and  more  self-reliant  will  the  student  be- 
come. 
A  broad  botanical  or  even  biological  university  training  is  the 
best  foundation  and  is  necessary  to  accomplish  the  best  work  with 
the  microscope.    It  cannot  be  said,  however,  that  this  is  absolutely 
