193 



On a Method of Dhy-Mouxting for OrAQUE Objects. 

 By Henry J. Roper, F.R.M.S, 



(Read August 27th, 1880.) 



A former President of tlie Club once remarked that he should 

 like to see more papers for beginners among the work done by the 

 members. In offering a few observations on a very easy and sim23le 

 method of dry-mounting, I feel that I am, at any rate, supplying 

 one paper of this description. 



The first attempts of the possessor of a microscope at mount- 

 ing objects are generally in this direction, and to speak from my 

 own experience, are not always satisfactory ; but a few hints on trifles 

 which much practice has shown to be really essential, may prove 

 useful to many. 



The materials for mounting in the form suggested are neither 

 many, expensive, or complicated. A supply of mahogany slides, 

 3 X lin., with central circular cell pierced partially tlirough the slide 

 leaving a "floor" of the wood (these may be procured at Is. per 

 dozen), some square covering glass, some sheets of wax, such as is 

 used for making wax flowers, which cost, I believe. Is. 6d. per 

 dozen small sheets (green and white are perhaps the most useful 

 colours, black is not made), and some covering papers of the ordi- 

 nary kind ; when some name labels are added, the whole of the 

 necessaries are to hand, except a penknife, which everyone carries in 

 his pocket. 



To mount any easy opaque object — for example, a portion of leaf 

 with a parasitic fungus on it — first cut a square, say about an inch 

 across, of the green wax, and lay it over the aperture in tlie slide ; 

 press it firmly down, and it will line the whole cell smoothly, and 

 leave a margin of wax projecting all round the upper surface of the 

 slide ; having made sure that the leaf has no foreign matter on it, 

 cut it so as to nicely fit the sunken cell, now lined with wax, if pre- 

 ferred leaving the wax showing all round, and a very slight pressure 

 with the forefinger will ensure its adherence to the floor of wax, 



