1897] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 329 



face on which it is to stand, level and firm. As the camera 

 to be used only extends 9in., a box-like extension piece — 

 adding-, say, an extra 4in. — should be made and fitted to 

 the front. The camera is secured to one end of the board 

 by means of a usual tripod screw passed from beneath 

 throug-h the long- slot, and the microscope is so placed, 

 turned horizontally on its stand, that the eyepiece points 

 centrally throug-h the usual lens momit into the camera, 

 the junction between the two being- made lig-ht-tig'ht by a 

 small velvet sleeve having- elastic bands at each end. The 

 ordinary focusing--screen is utterly useless for micro- 

 g-raphic work, it being- necessary to use a piece of thin 

 patent plate g-lass, having- lines ruled on one side with a 

 diamond. Correct focus is obtained when these lines and 

 the imag-e are seen in focus tog-ether throug-h a compound 

 focusser. The condenser and lamp (if the last is \ised) 

 are, of course, arrang-ed at the other end of the board op- 

 posite the microscope and camera. 



mCROSCOPlCAL MANIPULATION. 



Staining Insects' ^A^ings.— Dr. Brodie has g-iven much 

 attention to the setting- up and preservation of insects. 

 The following- mode of staining- the wing-sof insects which 

 he has devised, will be both useful and interesting^. Place 

 the whole insect in a strong alcoholic solution of f uchsin, 

 aud allow it to remain there for forty-eig-ht hours. Then 

 transfer the insect to water with a pair of fine forceps, and 

 wash it until no more color comes away, chang-ing- the 

 water if necessary. While the washed insect floats in clear 

 water, slip a microscope slide, holding- the insect on it with 

 a fine needle, separate the wing-s from the body with a fine 

 scalpel, and remove the body. Float the wing-s into posi- 

 tion on a drop of clear water, remove excess of water with 

 blotting-'paper and allow to dry. Then place a drop of 

 thick Canada-balsam near them and heat over a spirit-lamp. 

 Tilt the slide to allow the liquefied balsam to flow over the 

 wings, lower a cover-g-lass g-ently into position and allow 

 to cool. On examination the veins will be found red, the 



