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2 leaves of ads (one of which is glued to the front pastedown), xi, 382 pp, 2 leaves of ads (one of which is glued to the rear pastedown); 210 text figures. Original cloth. Near Fine. This copy does NOT have any library markings. English translation of the second German edition (1877) of Das Mikroskop. Theorie und Anwendung desselben (the first German edition was in 1867), but a translation of only the first seven of ten parts. Why not the whole work? The Preface (pp. v-vi) explains: "This translation of Naegeli and Schwendener's well-known treatise 'Das Mikroskop' was commenced by Mr. Frank Crisp, Secretary of the Royal Microscopical Society, immediately after the publication of the last (German) edition (1877), with the intention as indicated by him in a communication to the Quekett Microscopical Club of filling up a blank in English microscopical literature in regard to the scientific technical treatment of the theory of the Microscope, in which English text-books were so deficient. The student refers in vain, even at the present date, to English works on the Microscope for explanations of the theory of the construction of objectives, eyepieces, &c., or for the discussion of the phenomena of diffraction and polarisation in their connexion with the Microscope, or for any scientific treatment of the question of interpreting microscopical images or the theory of microscopic observation. These subjects are dealt with systematically in German works only, and notably in that of Naegeli and Schwendener. The translation was thus undertaken with a view to placing before English readers the then best known collective exposition or technical treatment of these points by German writers. When the rough draft of the translation was completed, the first five sheets (80 pp.) were revised and put in type, but in consequence of prior claims upon his time in connexion with the Royal Microscopical Society, Mr. Crisp was compelled to relinquish the task of further revision and of passing the volume through the press, a labour which was undertaken by Mr. John Mayall, jun., one of the editors of the Society's Journal. Just as the printing was completed a fire destroyed the premises of the printers, and the whole of the printed sheets of the volume were burnt except one set as far as p. 374, which the publishers had retained in their possession, together with a few of the woodcuts. Under these circumstances the publishers had to consider the alternatives (1) of abandoning the issue of the volume; or (2) of incurring the additional expense of re-translating the portion of the work totally lost by the fire, replacing the missing woodcuts, and reprinting the whole; or (3) of reprinting as far as p. 374 only, omitting therefore Part VIII. (Microphysics [Mikrophysik]), Part IX. (Micro-chemistry [Mikrochemie]), and Part X. (Morphology [Morphologie]). It was finally decided to adopt the last course, hence the present issue. Whilst it is much to be regretted that this translation should only now be issued, microscopists will no doubt appreciate the advantage of having a version in English of a work which has received high commendation from both English and foreign critics. . . ." The so-called second edition of this English translation, published in 1892, is only a reprinting of this 1887 edition.
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