10 THE MICROSCOPE. Jan. 



such knowledge as microscopy can impart. Let half of these 

 meetings be exhibition evenings but let the explanations of 

 what is to be seen, and how to utilize the facts be the prominent 

 feature. Let the other half of the meetings be working sessions 

 at which the visitors may see the processes of cutting, staining, 

 mounting, etc., actually carried on and explained. Many a 

 bright youth may have his thoughts bent in the right direction 

 by this means, and the beauty of it is chat the cost is zero and 

 the plan productive of new members. The evil if any is that 

 our conceited members cannot parade themselves before the 

 dear public in the way that they are said to do at the soirees. 



QUESTIONS ANSWERED. 



NoTB. — Dr. S. G. Shanks, of Albany, N. Y., kindly consents to receive all sorts of ques- 

 tions relating to microscopy , whether asked by professionals or atuiiti-urs. Persons of ah 

 f^ ades of experience, front the beginner upward, are wlcuine t.< the benefits of this depni • 

 rnent. The questions are numbered for Jui are reference. 



18L — What is a Catoptric Ocular ^^^S. 



This term probably means a reflecting microscope, or an in- 

 strument used for examining objects by reflected light. 



182. — Can you give me directions for Koch's " -petrifying " method 

 for sections of jaws and teeth ? — /, D. Moody. 



Saw off a thin slice of the jaw and tooth, stain it, dehydrate 

 in absolute alcohol, and imbed in a thickened chloroform solu- 

 tion of copal, on a glass slip. Evaporate the chloroform, then 

 grind down the section on coarse and fine stones until it is thin 

 enough, wash and mount in balsam. 



183. — What is Walmsley^s arrangement whereby enlargements of 

 objects can be made by anybody as mentioned in StoweWs Micros- 

 copical Diagnosis? — T. K. Butler. 



It is a small, dry-plate camera attachment which can be placed 

 on the microscope tube and the object is then photographed. 



184. — I wish to begin the study of textile fibres. Where may I get 

 information on the subject? — C. E. H. 



The literature is scattered through the Microscopical and Tex. 

 tile Journals. See A. M. M. J., Vol., VI, pages 22, and 47, for 

 good descriptions of fibres. 



