Article by Alois Herzog on using direct (reflected) illumination rather than transmitted light for microscopic examination of textiles. It surveys the available devices: simple direct observation with low-power and binocular microscopes, dark field condensers, Lieberkuhn's mirror, the vertical illuminator, and the Busch/Hauser dark field condenser. It discusses lighting, objectives for photomicrography, and the suitability of each method for checking fabric structure, finishing effects, fiber color differences and foreign matter. Eight micrographs, with a caption list giving materials and magnifications, illustrate the methods.