1899] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 257 



ing as a hot stage, extremely useful in watching- crystiliza- 

 tion, etc. The wooden hand-rests being non-conductors of 

 heat, the hands of the operator can conveniently rest on 

 them during manipulation, while the top plate is too hot to 

 conveniently handle. Again, for utility in mounting pur- 

 poses, it is far in advance of the orthodox four-legged 

 brass table of our forefathers. Needless to say, this sim- 

 ple instrument lends itself to numerous purposes, known 

 only to the working microscopistin his daily round. A sheet 

 of brass }& inch thick, 4}4 inches wide, and 16 inches long, 

 or of a size to suit the microscope, has an arc cut out of 

 each end, leaving j4 inch each side for leg's when the table 

 is finished. From the centre of the 4j4 inch by 16-inch cut 

 a circular aperture 1 inch in diameter. At Z% inches, also 

 at 5}i inches, from each end, drill and counter-sink a 3-16 

 inch hole, % inch from each side ; that is four holes at 

 each end of the sheet of brass. Then bend the sheet into 

 an irregular octagon, the 1 inch aperture being- in the centre 

 of the proposed table-top, which, when finished, should 

 measure 4% inches by 4)4 inches, take care that the coun- 

 ter-sinks are on the underside. Then take two pieces of 

 apple wood y 2 inch thick, the size of your sloping-table 

 sides. Screw these to the sides, a piece of asbestos cloth 

 intervening ; neatly finish, and the day's work will never 

 be regreted. Microscopists, not of the amateur mechanic 

 fraternity, had better place the work in the hands of an op- 

 tician, giving him the particulars as to height and width of 

 microscope. — G. West, London. 



MICROSCOPICAL MANIPULATION. 



Cleaning Slides. — Immerse them bodily in a strong- so- 

 lusion of Hudson's soap-powder in warm water. Soak for 

 an hour or two, wash well with changes of warm water, and 

 finally, if necessary, with methylated spirit. Cover-glasses 

 and slips for important work may require special methods. 



Decolorizing Algae. — Dr. H. C. Sorby has found that 

 diluted formalin decolorizes algce, and by means of this re- 



