The Microscope. 159 



Editor The Microscope : — 



The argument that Harvard, Princeton and other institutions 

 use foreign microscopes and consequently such instruments must 

 be good, is very misleading. The real reason is this : Institutions 

 of learning may import instruments duty free. They thus obtain 

 microscopes more cheaply. The law intended to aid institutions 

 in procuring instruments not easily to be obtained here, but 

 certainly did not intend to cover the wholesale importation to 

 colleges and their professors, who anxiously solicit the patronage 

 of Americans and in return slyly stab American manufacturers 

 in the back. There is no question as to the efficiency of Ameri- 

 can microscopes, long and short, vertebrate and invertebrate, 

 and prices seem reasonable, unless you have a " friend in the 

 faculty" who is anxious to shade American prices. Many who 

 will read this will know that I speak the truth and from ex- 

 perience. S. G. Shanks. 



Albany, N.Y. 



Editor The Microscope : — 



Cajeput balsam, which has been discussed in your journal, is 

 a preparation that I had at one time thought of making, having 

 used cajeput oil in mounting, finding it better than the old time 

 oil of cloves. My idea was not just like the formula published 

 in your journal, for I had dammar resin in mind. After reading 

 the different experiences of microscopists, it started me again, 

 and I made a solution of dammar in oil of cajeput. Cajeput oil 

 dissolves dammar resin freely, and with a little heat in a very 

 short time, making a clear solution, which afterwards must be 

 filtered through cotton or paper by the aid of heat. The pro- 

 portions are dammar resin (clear), one ounce; oil of cajeput, six 

 drams. 



Mix, and filter through cotton or paper, covering the funnel 

 with a glass plate, and setting over a steam radiator or back of 

 a kitchen stove. I mounted some Diatoms in the cajeput dam- 

 mar medium, and find it works excellently; by heating the 

 slide it hardens in a short time, and the mount afterwards can 

 be finished in the regular way. Not having the required time 

 to test its drying or hardening qualities, when worked without 

 heat, I will some time later on give my experience. 



Peoria, Ills. J. E. Huber, ph. g. 



