134 THE MICROSCOPE. 



An Economical Cabinet for Microscopical Slides. — 

 For some years past the writer has been looking around for some 

 form of cabinet, which would hold securely several hundred slides, 

 and yet would not be expensive. The desire for this he has found 

 to be shared by many others, especially medical students. The 

 need is, as a rule, most especially felt when the collection enters its 

 second hundred. Till then very little classification or special ar- 

 rangement is necessary; and the usual make-shifts, the ordinary 

 mailing boxes, serve sufficiently well. Later still, when the size and 

 value of the collection are assure, one feels more at liberty to make 

 a larger outlay upon its receptacle. 



The trays of binder's board, so much used by students abroad, 

 seemed a good basis for such a cabinet; and as the result of some 

 experimentation he would call attention to an arrangement which 

 now seems very satisfactory. 



It consists of trays of binder's board of two sizes, the larger 

 11x8 inches, the smaller 11x4. Each of the smaller consists of a 

 solid bottom of binder's board, upon which is glued a second piece 

 of the same size, from the centre of which a piece 10x3 inches has 

 been cut out. This, then, forms a tray about a line in depth, cap- 

 able of holding ten slides. A third piece, from the centre of which 

 a portion loxi inches has been removed, is hinged to the others so 

 as to form a cover, the slot in its centre securing even deep cell 

 preparations from pressure. The larger trays differ only in being 

 of double size and holding twenty slides. Some of the trays have a 

 fourth piece of lighter material covering the slots in the tops, and 

 thus rendering them complete, dust-tight boxes. In series, how- 

 ever, this is unnecessary, as the covering of each tray is completed 

 by the bottom of the one above. Each tray is, therefore, independ- 

 ent, a rubber strap about it rendering it entirely secure for holding 

 or transporting specimens, while any number of them can be com- 

 bined and further secured in a wooden case, making a neat and safe 

 cabinet. The student can buy these boxes as he has need of them 

 at the same cost as the ordinary mailing boxes, and whenever it 

 seems worth while, have them made up into a cabinet. 



Such a cabinet, now before me, is 12x9 inches, by ro inches in 



