PREFACE.
THE object of this little work is to furnish an elementary course of instruction in the use of the Microscope, and on its application to the examination of the structure of plants and animals. Assuming that the reader has had no previous acquaintance with the Microscope, or with the study of natural history, I have attempted to render the descriptions of the objects as simple as possible. At the same time, the technical terms have been added and explained, in order gradually to render them familiar to the reader, and thus facilitate the future study of larger and more detailed works. The objects figured and described comprise the principal structures and more minute forms of both the vegetable and the animal kingdom, those having been selected which are common and readily procurable.
A chapter has been given upon the optical principles on which the action of the instrument depends (which will assist the reader to understand the operation of its constituent parts), including a sketch of the subject of polarized light. The order in which the subjects are treated is scientific, and particular directions have been given for the examination of the objects.
The small size of the work has necessitated the exclusion of figurative descriptions, 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 a whole for the proper comprehension of the subjects. The technical terms used are referred to in the [Index], so as to furnish to some extent a glossary of terms; and their derivation is given, to facilitate their recollection. The figures, with very few exceptions, are drawn from nature, and are coloured that the objects may be more easily recognized. The magnifying powers under which they have been drawn are denoted by a small number placed beneath each figure: and the particular attention of the reader is requested to this point; otherwise the whole subject will be utterly confused; so much does the appearance of objects vary under different powers.
Directions are given for preparing and mounting objects, implying that the reader will collect specimens for himself, which is to be strongly recommended as the best method of acquiring a practical and useful acquaintance with the objects. These will serve to furnish permanent landmarks in the great ocean of structural forms, will probably recall in after-years pleasant recollections of early excursions in search of the beauties of nature, and, surely, deepen the conviction of the existence of their All-wise Creator.
J. W. G.
CONTENTS.
| CHAP. | PAGE | |
| [I.] | The Microscope | [1] |
| [II.] | The Mounting of Objects | [10] |
| [III.] | Vegetable Elements and Tissues | [19] |
| [IV.] | Vegetable Organs | [31] |
| [V.] | Ferns | [49] |
| [VI.] | Mosses | [54] |
| [VII.] | Algæ | [64] |
| [VIII.] | Lichens | [91] |
| [IX.] | Fungi | [96] |
| [X.] | Animal Elements and Tissues | [113] |
| [XI.] | Articulata | [127] |
| [XII.] | Radiata | [153] |
| [XIII.] | Protozoa | [155] |
| [XIV.] | Optical Principles | [167] |
| [Index]: [A], [B], [C], [D], [E], [F], [G], [H], [I], [J], [K], [L], [M], [N], [O], [P], [Q], [R], [S], [T], [U], [V], [W], [X], [Y], [Z] |
| PLATE I. [[FRONTISPIECE].] | |
| Vegetable Tissues, &c. | |
| Fig. | |
| 1. | Leaf of Geranium: cells, chlorophyll, and intercellular passages. |
| 2. | Cells of Apple. |
| 3. | Starch-granules: a, of Wheat; b, of Arrowroot; c, of Potato; d, of Oat; e, of Lentil; f, of Rice. |
| 4. | Cells of Potato, containing Starch. |
| 5. | Garden Rhubarb-stalk: a, raphides; b, reticulated duct; c, spiral vessel; d, woody fibre; e, annular vessel. |
| 6. | Wood-cells from stem of Chrysanthemum. |
| 7. | Deal, transverse section: a, glandular tissue; b, woody fibre. |
| 8. | Deal, longitudinal (radial) section of glandular tissue. |
| 9. | Deal, longitudinal section of woody fibre. |
| 10. | Deal, tangential section. |
| 11. | Holly, wood of: a, porous cells; b, d, e, wood-cells; c, dotted ducts. |
| 12. | Hairs, vegetable: a, b, of Groundsel; c, of London Pride; d, e, of Geranium; f, of Chrysanthemum. |
| 13. | Epidermis of Geranium-leaf. |
| 14. | Style of Crocus, with pollen-granule and -tube. |
| 15. | Pollen-grain of Crocus, with pollen-tube. |
| 16. | Pollen of Primrose. |
| 17. | Pollen of Sunflower. |
| 18. | Pollen of Convolvulus major. |
| 19. | Caraway-seed. |
| 20. | Needle-point. |
| 21. | Sting of Nettle. |
| 22. | Hair of Spiderwort. |
| 23. | Hair of Spiderwort, single cell. |
| 24. | Epidermis of Geranium-petal. |
| 25. | Petal of Chickweed. |
| 26. | Sepal of Chickweed. |
| 27. | Seed of Poppy. |
| 28. | Epidermis of Deutzia. |
| 29. | Seed of Mignonette. |
| 30. | Pollen of Chickweed, dry. |
| 31. | Pollen of Chickweed, in water. |
| 32. | Flower of Chickweed. |
| 33. | Epidermis of petal of Chickweed. |
| 34. | Hairs of calyx of Chickweed. |
| 35. | Hairs of seed of Collomia. |
| 36. | Stem of Dicotyledon, section of. |
| 37. | Stem of Monocotyledon, section of. |
| 38. | Seed of Shepherd’s Purse, transverse section. |
| 39. | Stamen of Chickweed. |
| 40. | Stigma of Chickweed. |
| 41. | Ovary of Chickweed. |
| 42. | Leaf of Chickweed. |
| 43. | Seed of Wallflower, section of. |
| 44. | Seed of Wallflower, radicle and cotyledons. |
| 45. | Embryo-sac of Chickweed. |
| 46. | Embryo-sac of Chickweed. |
| 47. | Embryo-sac of Chickweed. |
| 48. | Wheat, cotyledon and leaves of, section. |
| 49. | Mustard-seed, cotyledons and radicle. |
| 50. | Mustard-seed, transverse section. |
| 51. | Chickweed, seed of. |
| 52. | Seed of Eccremocarpus scaber. |
| 53. | Grain of Wheat: a, cotyledon; b, embryo; c, radicle; d, albumen. |
| 54. | Ovule of Wallflower. |
| 55. | Cotyledons of Chickweed. |
| 56. | Plum-stone, section of. |