326 



Journal of AppHed Microscopy. 



Biological Tables. 



There is great uniformity in style, lieiglit, and general make-up of chemical 

 tables, at least in the main plan. There are the shelves for bottles, the sinks, 

 drawers, space below with door, gas, and water. Hut in tables devoted to work 

 in biolog}' there is great difference in styles and in the opinions held in regard 

 to the efficiency of the different styles and makes. While planning the outfit for 

 the work in biology in the new buildings of the University of Montana, it was 

 desired to have tables that would embody the best ideas in material, structure, 

 and finish, considering that expense was an important item. With this idea, 

 correspondence was held with a number of professors in different American 

 institutions, some of the plans and correspondence being here given. 



Fig. 1. Side unci end view of table at Leland Stanford University. 



Tables for biology are of the following patterns : for individual students ; for 

 several students at the same table ; high enough to work standing or with revolv- 

 ing stool ; high enough to use a microscope vertically while sitting on a common 

 chair ; tops of wood ; tops of slate or other similar material. Most of the tables 

 the writer has seen or read of combine the above features in varying ways, mak- 

 ing tables to suit individual ideas or special work to be done. At first sight it 

 would appear that any table is good enough to work at with a microscope and 



oi- — . 



Fig. 2. Side view of table at University of Rochester. 



reagents, with a drawer for storing a few utensils and some glassware. Indeed, 

 it would appear that in some institutions very little thought is given to the tables 

 or to the comfort and convenience of the student while at work. There is cer- 



