THE MICROSCOPE. 



135 



glass stopper; small glass rod; some pieces of very fine brass wire; 

 glass slips and covers, with suitable labels; and a small bell-glass. 

 To these may be added the following non- 

 essential, but very convenient articles: A capped 

 bottle, with glass rod, for containing the balsam 

 (see illustration); a small brass table with spirit 

 lamp; a turn table; porcelain mounting plate 

 (hereafter to be described); magnifying glass 

 on stand, with elongating arm; white zinc 

 cement, shellac ditto, and colored fluid for or- 

 namental ringing; a bottle of absolute alcohol; 

 and a writing diamond. The luxuries may be 

 mentioned under the head of a well made 

 self-centering turn table; a hot water drying 

 oven; fine spring scissors; an assortment of 

 dissecting needles, hooks, scissors and knives; 

 and a pair of binocular magnifiers, mounted 

 upon a firm stand, with focussing adjustment. 

 But all the processes of mounting to be here 

 named may be performed with the tools and 

 materials mentioned under the head of essentials. 



Having thus started in business with our capital of 

 tools and materials, let us proceed to put them to the test 

 of actual use. And I can provide no better subject for a beginning 

 than a common blow fly, or an ordinary house fly, either of which 



Curved 

 Forceps. 



Small Dis- 

 secting 

 Knife. 



Dissecting Scissors. 



will afford material for several different processes of balsam mount- 

 ing. A female should be selected, as the ovipositor, which usually 

 ■contains some eggs, affords a most interesting and beautiful object. 

 Vivisection not being favored by the writer — first kill your fly 

 in the most humane manner possible (chloroform is recommended); 



