396 



Journal of Applied Microscopy. 



A Convenient Washing Apparatus. 



The apparatus here described and figured is especially adapted to the use of 

 several students in one laboratory. By its use a large amount of material may 

 be freed of chromic acid, or other acid mixture, in a very short time. 



Above the sink are placed several shelves, with holes in each to hold a series 

 of six or more vials. To each student is assigned a given number of these vials. 

 Each vial is provided with a rubber stopper holding an inlet and outlet tube. 

 The former tube reaches to within a centimeter of the bottom, while the latter 

 reaches but the same distance below the stopper. A piece of copper gauze, cut 

 to fit the vial, is inserted on the long tube (B and D) about a centimeter below 

 the outlet tube. In place of the gauze one can use a similar piece of perforated 

 sheet copper. The material is placed below this gauze and is thus prevented 

 from entering: the mouth of the outlet tube. 



When the material is thoroughly washed the vial may be removed and the 

 tubes connected by rubber tubing (F). In this way any vial may be removed 

 without interfering with the use of the remainder of the vials in the series. It 

 is advisable to connect a small pipe to the main water pipe back of the spigot, 

 so that the general use of the water is not prevented. In this smaller vertical 

 pipe should be placed small spigots on the level of the several shelves. The 

 vials on each shelf may then be used independently of the others. A common 

 pipe carries the waste water to the sink. 



On one shelf can be arranged a series of Coplin staining jars, connected in 

 the same manner as the vials. The two tubes in this case scarcely project from 

 the bottom of the stopper, while just below them a circular piece of copper gauze 

 is placed on the four projecting edges of the jar. Sections stained on the slide 

 can be quickly washed in such an apparatus. 



E. Mead Wilcox. 

 Botanical Laboratory, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. 



