The Microscope. 315 



A writer in The Microscope suggests a ledge made of a strip 

 of lead. I think I have something far better. Take a two-foot 

 pocket rule, cut out a piece in length the exact width ©f your 

 square stage. To each end rivet a strip of sheet brass or tinned 

 copper; bend these strips downward, then inward under the 

 stage plate. These strips will serve as springs to hold the ledge 

 to the stage. Remove, or turn back the clips, slip the ledge 

 onto the stage from the front, place the slide in front of the 

 ledge, and proceed to work. You will not use it vei'y long till 

 you will wonder why the maker of the microscope did not pro- 

 vide such a ledge. With thumbs and forefingers grasping ledge 

 and slide, you have complete control over two movements at 

 right angles, as you have with a mechanical stage, and you can 

 go over the whole mount in successive fields of view and know 

 that no part is missed, just the same as with a mechanical stage. 

 Besides, the markings on the rule serve admirably for finding an 

 object. In the foot rule we find a ledge almost ready made for 

 use. It is easily fitted to stage ; looks well and works well.— - 

 Dr. H. M. Farr. 



Useful cement. — I have for sometime been experimenting 

 with cements, with more or less dissatisfaction. I seal all 

 glycerine mounts with Apathy's cement, which I find to be very 

 satisfactory. Formerly I backed it up with a coating of shellac 

 followed by asphalt. I was not quite satisfied with that, and at 

 the suggestion of Mr. E. H. Griflith, tried Berry Bros.' hard oil 

 finish. I use it thinned to the proper consistency with benzol. 

 I keep two stocks, one transparent, the other black, prepared 

 by grinding lamp-black into the transparent varnish. These I 

 find sufficient for all my work, and much superior to the shellac 

 and asphalt combination. — Wtii. N. Beggs, M. D. 



A WASH BOTTLE. — In the side of a bottle drill a one-eighth 

 inch hole half an inch below the cork ; bore the cork so as to 

 receive the end of a funnel, to which is attached a rubber tube 

 long enough to reach to the bottom of the bottle inside. Fill 

 the bottle half full of water, add the sections or other objects to 

 be washed, fit in the cork carrying the funnel into which is fitted 

 a disk of filtering paper. Place the funnel beneath a water tap 

 and allow a gentle stream to trickle into it. The water will pass 



