1968 Journal of Applied Microscopy 



The oven is made of sheet copper and consists of a rectangular box contain- 

 ing a tray for cover glasses and a cover that lifts off entire. The whole is sup- 

 ported by a rectangular stand made of ^-inch strap iron. The tray is supported 

 by four clips hung from the upper edge of the sides of the rectangular box 

 and lifts out by means of loops of copper wire attached to the ends. The 

 cover fits loosely and has a wooden knob bolted to the center and has a tubula- 

 tion at one end for thermometer. 



The dimensions, which may be varied to suit requirements, are as follows : 

 length, 9 inches ; width, 4 inches ; depth, '1 inches. The tray is 33^ inches by 

 8 inches, and is supported ^2 inch above bottom of oven, insuring uniform heat- 

 ing throughout. The loops at ends of tray are 1 '4 inch high and arranged so 

 they cannot drop against surface of tray or ends of oven. The stand is 4 inches 

 by 8 inches and for alcohol lamp is 4)^ inches high — for a Bunsen burner it 

 would need to be somewhat higher. An ordinary support with rings answers 

 equally well. 



With an alcohol lamp the temperature can be run up to 1()0°C. in ten min- 

 utes and for a given temperature the results are absolutely uniform. I usually 

 run temperature rapidly up to 160°C. and immediately remove cover and flame 

 and allow oven to cool. The whole procedure requires less than fifteen minutes. 

 Burlington, Wis. W. A. FuLTON. 



A Convenient Microscope Table. 



There has been a demand for a low-priced, movable microscope table for use 

 in the home of the amateur microscopist, and in the private laboratory of the 

 professional worker. To meet this demand, some of the microscope manufac- 

 turers include in their catalogues ready-made tables for the purpose. The 

 revolving, adjustable tables as a rule are for temporary use only, and have no 

 place for storing accessories, supplies, reagents, etc., while the larger and more 

 elaborate tables of the desk pattern are so expensive as to be beyond the reach 

 of many an humble worker. Moreover, a serious objection to many of these is 

 that the reagent case extends entirely across the back, thus shutting off much of 

 the light, if perchance, it be necessary to place the table against a window. 

 While this extra light may not be essential in viewing the objects through the 

 microscope, it is usually needed in making the preparations, and we cannot 

 afford to lose it. 



In the fall of 19U0, the writer designed and had constructed a table for a 

 small laboratory. After a year and a half of nearly constant use the table is 

 found to be quite satisfactory, and some of its features are so convenient that a 

 description and figure are herewith given for the benefit of the readers of the 

 Journal. The general plan was copied from a table designed a few years ago 

 by Dr. W. C. Sturgis, formerly botanist of the Connecticut Agricultural Experi- 

 ment Station, but most of the details are original. The dimensions are as fol- 

 lows : 



Length, 48 inches (120 centimeters). 



Breadth, 30 " ( 75 " ). 



Height, 28 " ( 70 " ). 



