1897 THE MICROSCOPE. 75 
inch objective and a high eye piece. Expensive high 
power objectives are not favorable instruments at a soiree 
of laymen. ‘They will be just as well pleased, if not more 
pleased, with the combination suggested, 
Pollen Grains.—At a soiree pollen grains will always 
show nicely and excite wonder under a spot lens or a para- 
balord. The writer remembers a meeting of scientists, 
not microscopists, to investigate the Cerus grandiflora. 
Some of the eminent microscopists made some demonstra- 
tions that were almost astounding to the initiated, yet the 
non-microscopists deemed the spot lens exhibit of the pol- 
len grains the most remarkable of the exhibit. 
Section of Potato.—Nothing is prettier for a soiree 
exhibit than a section of a common potato, shown by polar- 
ized light. Such a section may easily be made with a com- 
mon razor, the thin part utilized and the section dried, 
hardened in alcoho] and mounted in balsam. The alcohol 
will wash out a part of the starch but willthusimprove the 
specimen for enough of the starch will appear and where 
the starch is washed out the cellular tissue will remain. 
A Dissecting Microscope.—Good mounting can seldom 
be accomplished without a dissecting microscope. ‘The 
best instrument may be obtained from dealers. The es- 
sentials of the instruments is the lens working bya rack 
and pinion with a mirror and a stage to work on so that 
both hands may be free. A temporary instrument may 
be devised with a reading glass or a hand magnifier. Most 
wonderful work may be accomplished with an improvised 
machine, just as Gallileo made wonderful discoveries with 
his imperfect telescope. 
SE LENCE-GOS SLE: 
Why it is Tiresome to use High Powers in Exam- 
ining Microscopic Objects.—Mr. J. M. Blake of Westville, 
Connecicut, illustrates the point very forcibly in a recent 
issue Of Odserver. He says: “One can get very tired of just 
