238 THE NORTHERN MICROSCOPIST. 
The secret of Mr. Cunliffe’s success as a mounter, is, that his 
first attempts were based upon an artistic and intelligent idea of 
what perfect mounts should be ; and if all mounters of microscopic 
objects would follow out a similar conception, and bestow anything 
like attention to details and the same intelligent care in carrying 
out their ideas, something more like uniform excellence would be 
the result. 
It is generally supposed Mr. Cunliffe makes a secret of his pro- 
cess. I do not think so, It is not so much the process as the 
hand which does the work upon which depends the result. What 
the novice fails to understand, and is unequal to, and what the 
successful operator has a difficulty in explaining, is, how to act 
under varying circumstances, and how to overcome numerous 
hitches which may, or may not occur. 
It is easy enough to say, “‘Oh, wash your specimen, place it on 
a glass slip, add glycerine jelly, then put on your cover-glass and 
clip and finish by ringing in the usual manner.” Good slides, 
however, are not the result of primitive efforts backed by such 
meagre information. I will endeavour then to explain, in detail, 
a process of which the preceding direction is only an outline. 
Suppose we start with that small and pretty moss, Dicranum 
heteromallum. 
The chief beauty in this moss lies principally in the capsule, and 
I may here remark that mosses for mounting should be in fruit, 
and what is more, ripe. The peristome of Dicranum heteromallum 
is a very charming object, we must therefore try and show this to 
advantage and preserve the capsule uninjured. In its natural state 
when growing and quite ripe, the calyptra and operculum are 
thrown off, the peristome unfolds itself and the spores issue from 
the capsule, and either fall to the ground or are scattered by the 
wind. All this should be borne in mind whilst mounting mosses, 
and if you can show the spores leaving the capsule, and also the 
calyptra and operculum, so much the better. 
How is all this done? If you have sufficient material, select 
enough for several mounts. Let your selections be as perfect and 
as free from dirt as possible. Moss-gatherers should always carry 
and keep specimens as uncontaminated with dust and dirt as they 
possibly can, 
Gently shake and remove, with the aid of a small sable brush, as 
much dirt, dust, and grit as you can; then place your specimens 
in clean water, and shortly the leaves will expand and look as fresh 
and green as when growing. Use your brush and move them care- 
fully and quickly about in the water to further cleanse them: 
transfer to small bottle of water again and shake carefully. Change 
the water, and repeat if necessary. 
During the washing process the operculi will probably fall from 
