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Simple apparatus for (Bothering 

 flDicroecopic ©bjccts^ 



By G. M. Hopkins. 



ONE of the difficulties experienced by a beginner in Micro- 

 scopy is the finding and gathering of objects for examination. 

 As a rule, cumbersome apparatus has been used. The 

 conventional apparatus consist of a staff, to which are added a 

 knife, a spoon, a hook, and a net : but a great deal can be accom- 

 plished with far less apparatus than this. 



Fig. 85. 



The engravings illustrate a simple device, by means of which 

 the amateur microscopist can supply himself with as much material 

 as may be required. It consists of an ordinary tea or dessert spoon, 

 and a wire loop of suitable size, to extend around the bowl of the 

 spoon, having the ends of the wires bent at right angles, and 

 in opposite directions. To the loop is fitted a conical cheese- 

 cloth bag, and to the bottom of the bag, upon the outside, is 

 attached a strong string, which extends over the top and down 

 to the bottom in the inside, where it is again fastened. The spoon 

 is inserted between the bent end of the loop and turned, and the 

 point of the bowl is slipped through the loop. 



The instrument is used in the manner shown in Fig. 85 ; that is 

 to say, it is scraped along the surface of objects submerged in the 



International Journal of Microscopy and Natural Science. 



Third Series. Vol. III. d d 



