38 PREPARATION AND MOUNTING 
these there are various modifications, which for certain 
purposes are more convenient than the usual form. The 
ordinary metal ones are employed for taking up small 
objects, thin glass, &c.; but when slides are to be held over 
a lamp, or in any position where the fingers cannot con- 
veniently be used, a different instrument must be found. 
Of these there are many kinds; but Mr. Page’s wooden 
forceps serve the purpose very well. ‘T'wo_ pieces of elastic 
wood are strongly bound together at one end, so that they — 
may be easily opened at the other, closing again by their 
own elasticity. Through the first of these pieces is loosely 
passed a brass stud, resembling a small screw, and fastened 
in the second, and through the second a similar stud is 
taken and fixed in the first—so that on pressure of the studs 
the two strips of wood are opened to admit a slide or other 
object required to be held in position. The wood strips are 
generally used three or four inches long, one inch wide, and 
about one-eighth inch thick. 
Again, some objects when placed upon the glass slide are 
of such an elastic nature that no cement will secure the 
thin glass covering until it becomes hard. ‘This difficulty 
may be overcome by various methods. The following are 
as good and simple as any. ‘Take two pieces of wood about 
two inches long, three-quarters wide, and one-quarter thick ; 
and a small rounded piece one inch long, and one-quarter in 
diameter; place this latter betwixt the two larger pieces. 
Over one end of the two combined pass an india-rubber 
band. This will give a continual pressure, and may be 
opened by bringing the two pieces together at the other 
end; the pressure may be readily made uniform by paring 
the points at the inner sides, and may be regulated by the 
strength of the india-rubber band. These bands may be 
made cheaply, and of any power, by procuring a piece of 
india-rubber tubing of the width required, and cutting off 
certain breadths. Another very simple method of getting 
this pressure is mentioned in the “ Micrographic Dictionary.” 
Two pieces of whalebone of the length required are tied 
