262 THE NORTHERN MICROSCOPIST. 
disc, as shown in Fig. 56, where a circular ring of lead is fastened to 
a plate of iron. Make the cut piece of stone into a perfect plane 
on one side by rubbing it on a perfectly even whetstone, and 
cement that side on to a glass slip in the usual manner. When 
set, seize the end of the slip between the finger and thumb of the 
left hand, and having brushed some of the wet emery mud out of 
the tin guard round the lead rim, set the machine in motion, and 
gently press the section lengthways across it. If the stone be soft, 
it is unadvisable to grind with emery to transparency, as the 
powder becomes incorporated into the stone, but finish with a 
circular motion on the whetstone. After, cleanse with turpentine 
and warm water, and mount in the usual way. 
I forgot to mention that any number of parallel sections may be 
cut by simply raising the clenching arm, and tightening the ring 
underneath by means of a thumb-screw. 
A machine after this pattern is simple and cheap in construction, 
and simple and effective in working, doing the duty of more 
expensive ones as economicaily and well. 
J. TERtTIus Woop, 
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY 
OF *UNGE* 
By THE Rev. J. E. Vize, M.A. 
HERE are very few people who study the interesting plants 
called Fungi. Hence a very leading object in preparing a 
paper on the subject necessarily will be to try to allure some one 
onwards to their study, or at all events if this would occupy too 
much labour and research, to unfold a fragment of their import- 
ance in the vegetable world, and so get for them a little more 
consideration than has been granted up to the present time. 
The wonder is that Fungi has been so much neglected, because 
really they would, if studied, fill up many and many a period of 
time which probably now is nothing like so well employed, and 
take us from nature to nature’s God. If a man be fond of his 
microscope, he will detect shapes as various as the most ardent lover 
of change could desire. He will find tints amongst the colours of 
black, brown, yellow, as gradual and progressive from light to shade 
as anywhere ; he will notice symmetrical forms as exquisite as grace- 
* Paper read at the Sixth General Meeting of the Chester Society of 
Natural Science. 
