10 THE MICROSCOPE. Jan., 



A Few Suggestions to Novices in Photo-Micrography. 



By NELSON B. SIZER. M. D. 



BROOKLYN, N. Y. 



From various quarters appeals for help so often come, 

 that I trust a few practical hints may not, at this time, 

 be 7nal a propos to the many amateurs who have yet to 

 take their first photograph with the microscope. 



To such, let me repeat with emphasis: One of the most 

 important things is, to see that the sensitive plate is 

 rigidly secured in a position accurately perpendicular to 

 the optical axes of the apparatus both vertically and 

 horizontally. 



To secure this essential condition, measure the length 

 of your expanded camera in inches, which for general 

 use, may well be a quarter plate or 5x4. Next, incline 

 your "scope" till horizontal, and measure its length from 

 the upper end of the eye-piece to the end of the arm 

 that carries the mirror. Then allow, say, 12 or 14 inches 

 for room for your lamp and condensing apparatus, and 

 add the three measures together. The sum will be the 

 least useful length of your base-board. 



To make this most essential part of the apparatus, 

 procure a nice piece of pine board, truly parallel, about 

 ^ or 1 inch thick and the width of the camera exactly, its 

 length being decided as above. 



Fasten a thin hardwood strip to each edge, projecting 

 ^ inch above the upper side of the board; this will allow 

 the camera to be freely moved lengthwise but keep al- 

 ways its axis parallel to the edge of the base. 



The camera may now be expanded and its base-board 

 fastened firmly to the base, so as to allow the bellows 

 to freely play, but to prevent undesirable lateral motion. 



Take out, now, the "lens-board" of your camera, and 

 fit in its x^lace a new one, made of thin pine, or "cigar- 

 box" cedar if more convenient. Now mark upon the new 

 front the point opposite the centre of the plate during 



