A popular guide to the use of the microscope as a means of amusement and instruction. Fourteenth edition, with chapter on the polariscope by F. Kitton, and illustrations by Tuffen West.
London, Hardwicke & Bogue, 1878
Immensely popular guide to microscopes. Fourteenth edition of this best-selling guide to microscopy, a lovely copy in unusually fresh condition.
The son of two naturalists (his father a public health doctor and microscopist, and his mother an author on wildflowers), Edwin Ray Lankester (1847-1929) would 'reach the very pinnacle of the British scientific establishment... as a well-known, even larger-than-life, figure' (Foster, 'E. Ray Lankester, Ecological Materialist', Organization and Environment vol. 13, no. 2, June 2000).
Lankester studied with Thomas Huxley, Ernest Haeckel, and Anton Dohrn and in 1875 was appointed chair of zoology at University College, London, where he 'created a highly effective department for teaching, in which many eminent biologists of the next generation were trained. He was an effective lecturer, illustrating his descriptions of animal structures with meticulously drawn diagrams' (Oxford Dictionary of National Biography). Lankester was a skilled microscopist, serving as joint editor of the Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science from 1852 to 1871, as president of both the Microscopical Society of London the Quekett Microscopical Club. 'In 1859 he published his immensely popular Half Hours with the Microscope' (ODNB).
Lankester published prolifically, not only scientific articles, but also encyclopaedia entries and popular pieces 'in a wide range of periodicals. His most important contribution at this level was the series of articles "Science from an easy chair" which began in the Daily Telegraph in 1907. For several years he wrote an article every week, and many of these were collected into books which sold by the tens of thousands. He thus played a major role in establishing the field of popular science writing. His work also reached a wide public through his relationship with H. G. Wells' (ODNB).
Fourteenth edition; chromolithographic frontispiece and 8 plates, 32-page publisher's ads dated June, 1880 at rear, contents faintly toned with the occasional small spot; original brown cloth blocked in gilt and black with an image of a microscope on the upper board, brown coated endpapers, cloth very lightly rubbed at the extremities, excellent condition; 130pp.
The son of two naturalists (his father a public health doctor and microscopist, and his mother an author on wildflowers), Edwin Ray Lankester (1847-1929) would 'reach the very pinnacle of the British scientific establishment... as a well-known, even larger-than-life, figure' (Foster, 'E. Ray Lankester, Ecological Materialist', Organization and Environment vol. 13, no. 2, June 2000).
Lankester studied with Thomas Huxley, Ernest Haeckel, and Anton Dohrn and in 1875 was appointed chair of zoology at University College, London, where he 'created a highly effective department for teaching, in which many eminent biologists of the next generation were trained. He was an effective lecturer, illustrating his descriptions of animal structures with meticulously drawn diagrams' (Oxford Dictionary of National Biography). Lankester was a skilled microscopist, serving as joint editor of the Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science from 1852 to 1871, as president of both the Microscopical Society of London the Quekett Microscopical Club. 'In 1859 he published his immensely popular Half Hours with the Microscope' (ODNB).
Lankester published prolifically, not only scientific articles, but also encyclopaedia entries and popular pieces 'in a wide range of periodicals. His most important contribution at this level was the series of articles "Science from an easy chair" which began in the Daily Telegraph in 1907. For several years he wrote an article every week, and many of these were collected into books which sold by the tens of thousands. He thus played a major role in establishing the field of popular science writing. His work also reached a wide public through his relationship with H. G. Wells' (ODNB).
Fourteenth edition; chromolithographic frontispiece and 8 plates, 32-page publisher's ads dated June, 1880 at rear, contents faintly toned with the occasional small spot; original brown cloth blocked in gilt and black with an image of a microscope on the upper board, brown coated endpapers, cloth very lightly rubbed at the extremities, excellent condition; 130pp.
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