33 



On Cutting Cells. 



Bj James Smith. 



(Bead 22nd December, 1871.; 



In the above diagram 1 have endeavoured to indicate a very 

 simple, but I think, at the same time, very accurate way of cutting 

 out cells for mounting Microscopic objects. The material I have 

 employed is the lead used for lining tea chests ; the advantages of 

 this were pointed out to me some time ago by Dr. Bowerbank, who 

 has, I believe, used it for some time as a material for making 

 cells. It is very readily obtainable from any grocer ; can be had of 

 several degrees of thickness, and, from its extreme pliability, can 

 be very readily flattened out or moulded into any required shape, 

 and I think that, without disparaging any other substances 

 employed in cell making, that this sheet lead will be found useful 

 for many kinds of mounting, and the readiness with which it can 

 be obtained makes it all the more desirable, A piece of lead 

 having been obtained, and properly smoothed out; slips of — say 

 1 inch in breadth, and any convenient length may be cut off, and 

 being marked with small lines (or dots) as above, as a guide for 

 placing the punches in cutting, two or more cells may be cut out of 

 each other with great accuracy and very little trouble. In the 

 above diagram four punches are supposed to be used, namely — a 

 1 inch, I inch, ^ inch, and ^ inch punch ; and, as will be seen from 

 the diagram, twelve cells of three different sizes are thus cut from 

 the small strip of lead represented. It is scarcely necessary to say 

 that this method of cutting will do equally well for other materials 

 used in cell making. 



JouRN. Q M. C. No. 19. D 



