Mite in Berlese' s Medium 177 



through the Berlese funnel, the collecting tube beneath it is inspected 

 to see roughly what has been gathered. If there are a great number of 

 Gamasid mites, or active insects, it is necessary to open gently a portion 

 of the tube by pushing away the modeling clay with the thumb and to 

 let a minute drop of ether run down inside. When this has been done, 

 the tube is removed, and the contents are tipped out into a petri dish 

 or similar container, ready to be mounted. The specimens are best col- 

 lected with the aid of a fine brush that has been moistened in water. 



A mite or similar form that is to be mounted is selected, picked up on 

 the tip of the brush, and transferred to a drop of whichever of the two 

 gum media has been selected. As little water as possible should be trans- 

 ferred with it, and the mite should be pushed under the surface of the 

 gum with the point of a needle. The mount is inspected under the low 

 power of the microscope, and, if any large quantity of air has been 

 carried in with the mite, the bubbles are released with the aid of a fine 

 needle and allowed to come to the surface before the coverslip is laid 

 gently into place. The drop of gum should be large and no endeavor 

 should be made to press the coverslip down. If a reasonably thick layer 

 of mountant is left, almost any small arthropod will spread its legs like 

 a textbook diagram before dying and will remain in this form indefinitely. 

 The finishing of these slides has already been discussed and may be 

 carried out at any time after they have been made. 



SUMMARY 



1. Erect Berlese funnel. 



2. Transfer small arthropods to drop of mounting medium on slide. 



3. Add coverslip. 



