280 



MICROSCOPICAL RESEARCH IN NAPLES. 



For large sections this method offers one important advantage 

 over that of Dr. Giesbrecht ; for by the former all wrinkles may be 

 removed, while by the latter the sections must lie as they fall. In 

 the case of smaller sections, not liable to get wrinkled during the 

 placing, I prefer the shellac method. 



Water Bath. 

 The diagram represents a convenient form of water-bath, 

 devised by Dr. Mayer. 



It is a small brass box, i8cm long, 9cm 

 wide, and 8cm high. The tube, «, through 

 which the water is received, and the rod, b^ 

 serve as handles. The receiving tube is 

 closed by a cork provided with a glass tube 

 for the escape of steam, this is bent in the 

 form of a siphon to protect against dust. 

 One and a-half centimetres from the base of 

 the box is an oven (^), 7cm high and 12^"^ 

 long, which passes completely through the 

 box, and serves for warming the slides when 

 shellac is used. Above are seen two circu- 

 lar basin-hke pits (/./), 5.5^"^ in diam., and 

 4cm deep, for receiving the two tin paraffine 

 holders. These are covered by circular 

 plates of glass. There are also six tubular pits : one for a ther- 

 mometer (/), the others for glass tubes. 



This water-bath will be found useful for other purposes than 

 those of imbedding and mounting. It will of course be under- 

 stood that the purpose in giving its exact dimensions is simply to 

 furnish a guide where one is required. There are at least two 

 important advantages offered by this water bath over those in 

 general use, viz. — the slides are protected from dust, and the paraf- 

 fine is not exposed to the water. 



