The Microscope. 77 



It is not to be assumed, however, that methods not given are to 

 be considered worthless. Many, more difficult of execution, will be 

 brought in later on as a sort of an appendix, and many others will 

 not be given at all. For it will not be the object of these papers to 

 produce experts, but merely to lead to an intelligent and working 

 knowledge of essential microscopical technology. To further sim- 

 plify matters, instruments and reagents will only be described as 

 needed; thus allowing familiarity with a few before others are intro- 

 duced. 



FIRST LESSON. 



CLEANLINESS IS AKIN TO GODLINESS.' 



IN order to obtain material for future work, the art of preserving 

 and hardening tissues will be the subject of this lesson. Animal 

 tissues will alone be dealt with, as their manipulation ofFers greater 

 variety and practice of technique. 



The following materials and instruments will be required: 1. 

 Some animal; 2. A dozen 6-8 oz. jars or wide-mouthed bottles and 

 ^ doz. small bottles; 3. A scalpel, scissors and pair of forceps; 4 

 ^ gal. 97 per cent, alcohol; 5. 1 gal. of Miiller's fluid. 



To particularize somewhat: 1. A cat, rabbit or dog will do. 

 For the study of cells, lower animal forms — preferably the batrachia 

 — are to be chosen, as the arrangement is simple and the cells com- 

 paratively large. But for more complete examples of structure, the 

 cat can be recommended, not only for the acknowledged superabund- 

 ance of its kind, but the general excellence of its anatomical parts. 

 A full-grown, male animal should be selected. It might be said here 

 that physicians should save the pathological specimens obtained 

 from post-mortem and operating table, and should utilize the oppor- 

 tunities of an amputation or autopsy to procure normal human 

 tissues. 2. Jars are to be preferred, and should be provided with 

 carefully fitted glass covers to prevent the evaporation of hardening 

 fluid. The small bottles for more delicate tissues, should be 1 oz. in 

 capacity, wide-mouthed and glass-stoppered. 3. Scalpel with a 

 cutting surface 2 inches in length, narrow blade and good point. 

 Do not get the fat-bladed variety, as they will be found very clumsy 

 in delicate work. Scissors should have the hinge nearly in the mid- 

 dle, a cutting surface about 2 inches in length and sharp point. 

 Forceps, 4-5 inches long, closely adjusted teeth, tapered point and 

 soft spring. This latter quality is indispensable. They, who can 

 afford it, will find it convenient to have a duplicate set, several sizes 

 larger, although the instruments above described will, with care, do 



