58 . The Microscope. 



a glass slip, and press it firmly to place, taking care, however, 

 not to crush the wax. The warmth of the hands will ordinarily 

 supply all the heat required. On this lay other squares of wax, 

 using colors according to fancy, until a sufficient depth is 

 reached for the cell required. Place the slip on the turn-table, 

 and, with a small, sharp chisel, " turn out" the center, forming 

 a cavity in size determined by the object to be accommodated, 

 but leaving the bottom or white layer of wax undisturbed. 

 Next "turn" off the outer portions of wax until you have a 

 ring of the diameter desired. By a deft use of the chisel various 

 patterns of mouldings and shades of colors may be wrought 

 into the cell, giving it a very attractive appearance. Cover the 

 whole with a thin coating of shellac varnish (shellac bleached 

 dissolved in alcohol), leaving uncovered, however, enough of 

 the bottom of the cell to receive and hold the object. The cell 

 will soon cure, when it is ready for use. In fastening on the 

 cover-glass use the shellac varnish. As a final finish there is 

 nothing superior to a balsam wash — diluted balsam used as a 

 varnish. 



A chisel for the uses named, and far superior to anything 

 found in market, may easily be made by any one, as follows : 

 Procure a crooked shoe-awl, largest size; break off two-thirds 

 of the bent portion; grind to a chisel-edge, having the bevel on 

 the inner side of the curve, set in light, home-made handles. 

 Cost of improvement, one cent. 



A CHEAP AND EFFICIENT LIFE-BOX. 



BY JAMES E. WHITNEY, ROCHESTER, N. Y. 



It is often very desirable to use several life-boxes in the 

 comparative examination of different ' ; finds," but their expense 

 has heretofore limited most observers to the use of one or two. 

 The advantage of having quite an assortment of various sized 

 boxes is apparent. 



The writer has devised the following simple but efficient 

 form of life-box, which is easily made and almost without ex- 

 pense — the entire cost per box not exceeding five cents. 



Get from any hardware store a full set of brass ferrules, 



