Plate I.
London, John Van Voorst.
AN
E L E M E N T A R Y T E X T - B O O K
OF
T H E M I C R O S C O P E;
INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION OF THE METHODS OF
PREPARING AND MOUNTING OBJECTS, ETC.
BY
J. W. GRIFFITH, M.D., F.L.S., ETC.,
MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; CONJOINT AUTHOR OF
THE MICROGRAPHIC DICTIONARY, ETC.
WITH TWELVE COLOURED PLATES,
CONTAINING 451 FIGURES.
LONDON:
JOHN VAN VOORST, PATERNOSTER ROW.
MDCCCLXIV.
[The right of translation is reserved.]
PREFACE.
THE object of this little work is to furnish an elementary course ofinstruction in the use of the Microscope, and on its application to theexamination of the structure of plants and animals. Assuming that thereader has had no previous acquaintance with the Microscope, or with thestudy of natural history, I have attempted to render the descriptions ofthe objects as simple as possible. At the same time, the technical termshave been added and explained, in order gradually to render themfamiliar to the reader, and thus facilitate the future study of largerand more detailed works. The objects figured and described comprise theprincipal structures and more minute forms of both the vegetable and theanimal kingdom, those having been selected which are common and readilyprocurable.
A chapter has been given upon the optical principles on which theaction of the instrument depends (which will assist the reader tounderstand the operation of its constituent parts), including a sketchof the subject of polarized light. The order in which the subjects aretreated is scientific, and particular directions have been given for theexamination of the objects.
The small size of the work has necessitated the exclusion of figurativedescriptions, so that it is adapted rather for a worker than a reader;at the same time, the matter forms a course, and must be taken as awhole for the proper comprehension of the subjects. The technical termsused are referred to in the Index, so as to furnish to some extent aglossary of terms; and their derivation is given, to facilitate theirrecollection. The figures, with very few exceptions, are drawn fromnature, and are coloured that the objects may be more easily recognized.The magnifying powers under which they have been drawn are denoted by asmall number placed beneath each figure: and the particular attention ofthe reader is requested to this point; otherwise the whole subject willbe utterly confused; so much does the appearance of objects vary underdifferent powers.
Directions are given for preparing and mounting objects, i