THE MICROSCOPE. 137 



the specimens. These should then be gently, but thoroughly 

 washed and brushed, to remove every remnant of the liquor potassae 

 or dirt that may have adhered to them, and dropped for a few 

 moments into alcohol; one of the nest saucers again forming a con- 

 venient vessel for this purpose. The slips of glass having mean- 

 while been wiped clean and dry, the objects are again to be trans- 

 ferred to one of them, covered with the other, wrapped with 

 the wire and dropped into alcohol, which for this purpose should be 

 contained in the wide mouthed bottle with glass stopper. And here 

 they may safely rest until we are nearly ready for the final opera- 

 tion of mounting ; be it the next day, or 3'ear, matters not, as the 

 alcohol will not alter or bleach them. 



The final work to be done upon our 

 specimens, preparatory to mounting, is 

 transferring from the alcohol to oil of 

 cloves, which is a substantial repetition 

 9&^Mii0^' o^ ^^^ previous transfer from water to 

 Porcelain Saucers. alcohol. The slips of glass taken from 



the bottle, and the wire removed, are 

 to be placed in a saucer containing alcohol, and gently separat- 

 ed, to avoid injury to the specimens, which are now to receive their 

 final brushing. If we have provided ourselves with absolute alco- 

 hol, a short immersion in the same, in a watch glass is advantageous, 

 but not absolutely necessary. And now having poured a small 

 quantity of pure oil of cloves into one of the porcelain nest saucers, 

 we carefully transfer the tongue, feet, etc., to the same, not forget- 

 ting the wings (which all this time have lain quietly in the alcohol, 

 as originally placed, not having needed any of these complicated 

 manipulations), immediately replacing tlie cover to exclude dust. 



It will be observed that I rigorously exclude turpentine in all 

 forms, from my work. I have ever found it a most unsatisfactory 

 medium, foul smelling, sticky, and rendering all tissues immersed in 

 it stiff and brittle. Oil of cloves, on the contrary, is in all respects 

 a most admirable medium, rendering all tissues and substances fully 

 as clear as turpentine; is agreeable to the sense of smell, does not 

 stiffen anything immersed in it, and is perfectly miscible with bal- 

 sam or damar. 



After this digression, and whilst our specimens are clearing up 

 in the oil, let us see to our glass slips and covers, and to the balsam 



