12 THE MICROSCOPE. Jan. 



drop of water on a slide cover and examine with a quarter ob- 

 jective. It has been said of these spores, ''they are infinite" — 

 for in a single mushroom 10,000,000 have been visible. 



Revolving the Turn Table. — When preparing several 

 slides it is often desirable to cause the turn table to re- 

 volve rapidly and to do so without the constant use of the 

 finger. 



One way is to wind a string around the shaft and quickly 

 jerk it off as a top is spun. 



Where a large number of slides are to be prej^ared the table 

 may be made to revolve with a toy steam engine or electric 

 motor. 



How to Obtain Objects at Home in Winter. — A micro- 

 scopist, unable on account of winter, to scour the fields and 

 woods in search of objects can obtain an endless supply of 

 amusement and instruction by examining the water supply. 

 Nearly every, month will display a new flora and fauna that 

 will furnish ample problems for solution. The examination of 

 textile fabrics and of different kind of hair will cause many an 

 hour to pass pleasantly away. Then in winter the making of 

 slides of crystals and crystalizations for the polariscope will be 

 time well spent. 



SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



Examination of Spots on Clothing for Spermatozoids. — 



Those who liave had to conduct such examinations know how 

 diflicult the investigation becomes when the material is very 

 porous, and will welcome the following suggestions of De Nobele : 

 Cut the material into two little scraps, and place the latter, with 

 the stained surface downward, into a 1 per cent, solution of sod- 

 ium chloride, or in distilled water carrying one-half of one per 

 cent (1 : 200) of alcohol. Let it remain for several hours, or say 

 over night, and then remove each scrap separately and press 

 between a slip and cover-glass. Dry slips and covers, and after 

 drying plunge for a moment into a 1 per cent solution of fuchin. 

 If spermatozoids are present they can be found with great readi- 

 ness in this way. — Nat. Druggist. 



