19 
Some Remarks on mounting MicroscoricaL Preparations in 
Canapa Barsam and Cutorororm. By Wititiam Henry 
Heys, Esq. 
Iv frequently happens that, after a microscope has been 
purchased and the few objects which were bought ready pre- 
pared have been examined again and again, the instrument 
begins to be neglected, and that simply because the observer 
is disheartened by the complicated nature of the instructions 
given by most writers who describe the method of mounting 
objects in Canada balsam upon the usual plan. Nothing pro- 
bably keeps alive an interest in microscopic investigation 
more than the constant accumulation of objects of one’s 
own preparation, and as many of the most beautiful, par- 
ticularly that Jarge class which comes under the term 
“polariscope objects,” can best be exhibited when mounted 
in balsam, it will be obvious that every aid should be 
given towards simplifying the process as much as pos- 
sible. My. attention was first called to a method of 
mounting objects in Canada balsam and chloroform by Mr. 
John Hepworth, of Croft’s Bank. I have found this plan so 
easy and pleasant that I am satisfied, were it generally 
known, there would be a greater number of students who 
would prepare their own objects than at present, thus accu- 
mulating a valuable cabinet of microscopic slides at a very 
triflmg expense. Having mounted a considerable number of 
specimens in this medium, I can give my testimony to its 
great superiority over the old plan, in which the use of hot 
plates and the application of heat to the slides were sources 
of endless trouble and frequent failure. My object in 
calling your attention to the subject is, to describe what I 
think is the best way of preparing and using the balsam with 
chloroform. I take a quantity of the oldest balsam I can 
procure, and place it in an open glass cup (if with a lip all 
the better). I pour on and mix with it as much chloroform 
as will make the whole quite fluid, so that a very small quan- 
tity will drop from the lip of the containing vessel. Having 
thoroughly mixed, I pour the prepared balsam into long thin 
half-ounce phials, and, after corking up, set them aside for 
at least one month, now and then turning the corks about to 
keep them loose. It is well to have a stock on hand of three 
different degrees of dilution, as a much thicker balsam is re- 
guired for some preparations than others. The advan age I 
find from having a quantity of balsam prepared beforehand 
is, that it becomes much clearer, and shows iess of that 
