214 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [Aug., 



My needles were common sewing needles fastened into the ends 

 of penny pen-holders. I have since found that there are dentist's 

 tools from which the points get broken and which can be re- 

 shaped and used to good advantage. 



3.— ALCOHOL LAMP. 



Sometimes an alcohol lamp is wanted. Take a broad-bot- 

 tomed ink bottle, bore a hole through the cork, insert a brass 

 tube about H inches long. Get some wick and the lamp is 

 complete. An empty cartridge shell will do for a cap. 



4.— BOTTLES. 



One will need some large-mouthed bottles of different sizes, — 

 1,2, and 4 ounce are preferred. These can be had at a druggist's 

 for a trifle. If you can afford it, get a few bottles with ground 

 stojjpers. 



5.— GROUND-GLASS ILLUMINATOR. 



Occasionally, it is convenient to have ground glass to place 

 between the light and the object for illumination. Get two 

 square pieces of glass free from specks, flaws or cracks. If two or 

 three inches square, they will be large enough. Also get aa 

 ounce or two of fine emery powder. Place one glass on aboard, 

 fasten it carefully, and sprinkle on a little emery, moisten with 

 water. Place the other glass upon this and give it a spiral-ro- 

 tary motion as shown in Figure 1 of the frontispiece. By rinsing 

 with clear water one can tell when it is ground enough. Some 

 excellent pieces of glass can be procured at the photographer's. 

 Get glass upon which the negative has been spoiled and re- 

 move the film with hot water. 



6.— SPRING CLIPS AND PINS.— FIGURES 2 AND 3. 



Pincers are needed with which to hold slides over the lamp. 

 Take spring clothespins (Fig. 2). If they do not fit exactly, cor- 

 rect them with the blade of your knife. These pins should be 

 procured from the grocer or the hardware merchant at ten cents 

 per dozen. 



Clips to hold the covers in place until "fixed," may be made 

 by taking wire of the size of a common hair-pin, or larger, and 

 by bending it in the form shown in Fig. 3. 



Label each slide you mount, whether temporary or permanent, 

 using plain white pajjcr, one inch square or 1x11, as suites your 

 taste. Write with black ink. 



