188 THE MICROSCOPE. Dec. 



PRACTICAL SUGGESTiONS. 



BY L. A. WILLSON, 



CLEVELAND. OHIO. 



How to Manipulate Lichens. — Many amateurs look 

 at a few stock slides and then tire of the microscope. How- 

 ever, the field for investig"ation is boundless and so exten- 

 sive that no individual scientist can become great or 

 thoroug-h in more than one field. Lichens have been ex- 

 plored by many pioneers but they are still upon the con- 

 fines of science and have been investigfated by the few-and 

 far-between. This neglect is largely owing to the fact 

 that some of the most prominent authors on the micro- 

 scope dismiss lichens with the statement that no one but 

 the advanced manipulator can deal with them. This idea 

 is entirely erroneous. The merest tyro can easily manip- 

 ulate them satisfactorily and demonstrate their hidden 

 structure. 



By m'acerating the thallus or the apothecia while soaked 

 in a drop of potassium hydrate on a glass slip, covering 

 and filling the cover with water, the whole structure may 

 be displayed and examined. 



Then the spores may be easily measured and the reac- 

 tions of different specimens with iodine may be observed. 

 Many species have remarkable and beautiful spores. 



To Him That Hath It Shall Be Given.— In studying 

 any subject or branch of science it is much easier to learn 

 the properties of a single specimen by having a large col- 

 lection of various specimens of the things under examina- 

 tion. This applies to hair, plants, textile fabrics, blood, 

 food adulteration aud in fact almost universally. It is im- 

 possible to compare objects and see their resemblances or 

 differences unless you have the objects to set in juxtapo- 

 sition. 



No Excess of Balsam is Necessary. — In mounting, the 

 observance of a little care, will obviate the necessity of 

 any surplus of balsam. A little practice will effect the 

 desired end. Place the balsam in the center of the slide 



