G. C. KAROr's TABLE FOR MICROSCOPICAL PURPOSES. 313 



which I have found of practical value. It is simply a strongly 

 made affair of the form represented in figure 1. I have no doubt 

 someone will remark that it is only a kitchen table after all. But 

 there is some little difference. In the first place its height must be 

 proportional to the instrument in general use, and also to a com- 

 fortable chair. My own table is 2ft. Sin. from the top to the floor, 

 which allows the microscope to be used in a vertical position without 

 discomfort. The width is optional, mine is only 1ft. 6in. ; this is 

 small, but suits my purpose. The length, too, is optional, except 

 that it must not be less than 2ft. 9in., for reasons that will pre- 

 sently be seen. The legs should be stout and square, and made 

 perfectly stiff by cross bars at the sides and back, the latter being 

 put low down so as to serve as a foot-rest. The top is of soft white 

 wood, free from knots and one inch thick, so that at any time it 

 may be planed afresh if discoloured or eroded by acids ; of course, 

 it must be quite level, and should project sufficiently in front to 

 allow a section cutter being fixed thereto when required. There is 

 no drawer, but on each side in front is a sliding board (a), to serve 

 as an arm-rest either when observing or during manipulation. This 

 is, so far as I know, a novel arrangement ; but be that as it may, it 

 is an exceedingly convenient one, as the whole table is left clear for 

 apparatus, material, reagents, &c, which need not be pushed to one 

 side whenever recourse is had to the microscope, and, therefore, a 

 comparatively small surface only is necessary. These arm-rests 

 should be at least six inches wide and about 15 inches or more apart, 

 sufficiently so, in fact, to admit the observer comfortably between 

 them ; it follows, therefore, that the width of the table all over can- 

 not be less than 2ft. 9in., and, of course, may be as much wider as 

 may be thought desirable. To the right of the middle line on the 

 top of the table it is a good plan to let in a piece of plate glass (6), 

 about 7in. x 6in., level with the top, over a piece of good white 

 paper or card. One half of the glass is blackened behind, and on 

 the card opposite the transparent half is marked a 3 x 1 space 

 with centering lines and a few of the more important microscopical 

 measurements, such as the value of a micro- millemetre, the diameter 

 of a red blood-corpuscle, &c, &c, and perhaps the magnifying 

 power of the owner's objectives, or any other matters of constant 

 reference. 



