ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 



769 



The instrument is fitted with an oblong top for sections too large 

 for the ordinary well ; it fits on the top of the microtome and is held in 

 position by a series of clamps ; the aperture is § in. wide by J in. long 

 by 1-J, in. deep. The carrier fits into the tube of the microtome, and is 

 actuated by the spindle in the usual way. 



**"* '* » * 



Fig. 181d. 



Preventing Rolling of Paraffin Sections.* — In order to prevent 

 the rolling and crumbling of paraffin sections, A. Siding works up a 

 little bit of paraffin with the fingers on to a thin, transparent plate of 

 the same size as the section surface, and presses it on the section surface 

 of the paraffin block. With a little practice the right pressure for 

 obtaining intimate union is attained. When the section is made, this, 

 together with the plate, is easily removed with the finger to a slide already 

 provided with adhesive. For very large sections, just warmed paraffin 

 should be poured over the section surface. The further manipulation 

 is the same as that for ordinary paraffin sections. 



(4) Staining- and Injecting-. 



Easy Method of Staining and Mounting Algae and Fungi.f — 

 J. Burton, in a paper read at the Quekett Microscopical Club, remarked 

 that in exhibiting micro-objects to friends who were not particularly 

 well acquainted with natural history, it was always noticeable that they 

 showed most interest in " common objects." A fly's foot or scales from 

 a butterfly's wing drew more attention and gave more pleasure than 

 rarer objects which were not understood. Among the objects suitable 



* Zeitsehr. wiss. Mikrosk., xxii. (1905) pp. 177-S. 

 f English Mechanic, lxxxii. (1005) pp. 272-3. 



Dec. 20th, 1905 



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