MICROSCOPIC OBJECTS. 



159 



(8.) On Exkihiting Animalcules. — These creatures, 

 found so abundant in stagnant waters containing infu- 

 sions of organized matter, afford considerable amusement 

 and instruction in the inspecting of their habits, &c. 

 They usually congregate around the edges of the vessel 

 and on the surface of the fluid. The best method of 

 placing them under the microscope is by means of the 

 feeding-pin represented in the annexed engraving. Itcon- 



Feeding Fin. 



sists of a glass thread inserted into a convenient handle, 

 the end of the glass being enlarged like the head of a 

 common pin, which is to be dipped into the infusion. In 

 this way a small drop of the fluid containing them may 

 be placed on a slip of glass and covered with another 

 thin slip to prevent evaporation and keep the surface of 

 the fluid flat, or put into an aquatic box for examination. 

 When it is desirable to examine the contents of different 



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