The Microscope. 265 



should be commenced with and run through to the perfect cast 

 ready for the microtome. This, of course, cannot be done with the 

 same piece of tissue in the short space of time allotted; but in 

 view of the occasion, the demonstrator can exhibit the process at 

 different stages by having a specimen of each already prepared. 

 Not only the hardening agents, imbedding and other material 

 employed should be shown by sample, but also all necessary 

 apparatus exhibited and the manner of manipulating it successfully. 



The next houi' should be employed in showing how to work 

 with the microtome — how to cut thick, medium and *' fancy 

 sections" ( ?) ; how to clear, stain and mount them in the best style. 

 Samples of the necessary reagents should be exhibited and formula 

 of the same given; and so on until the whole ground has been 

 covered. 



Second. — Free discussion. The last hour of each day's work- 

 ing session should be devoted to questioning the different methods 

 which have been shown, and comparing opinions; and it should be 

 the duty of each demonstrator to furnish the secretary with a com- 

 plete record of the proceedings of his hour, including a list of 

 the exhibits. 



Third. — Exhibitors of microscopes and microscopic accessories 

 and materials should have a chance, and to accommodate their 

 interests, as well as satisfy the curiosity of the members in 

 attendance, a special hour each day should be given, with the 

 distinct understanding that during the meetings of the Society they 

 are to shut up shop. In that way only can distraction be avoided. 



Finally, as specimens of thin sections and good fields, I have 

 the pleasure of sending you herewith three slides, two of which 

 will, I think, specially interest you because of your studies in 

 embryology. One shows a vertical section of, probably, a ten 

 weeks' human embryo; and, from the same subject, another show- 

 ing the decidua and chorion with the space between these mem- 

 branes greatly thickened by a partially organized blood clot; also, 

 under the same covering glass, section of the membranes involving 

 the umbilical cord and a placental tuft. The remaining slide shows 

 section of a papilloma of the ovary. 



What ought such sections show that they do not show? 

 Please submit them to the severest tests and report to your readers. 



JAMES E. REEVES. 

 201 McCallie Ave. 



