1895.] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 125 



Making a microscope. — By applying the condensing lens 

 under the stage-plate, does it do away with the diaphragm that 

 is under the stage? 



Ans. — The diaphragm should be used underneath the con- 

 denser of a microscope, to stop down and moderate the light to 

 view the object to its best advantage. A condensing lens, non- 

 achromatic, should be about iin. or sin. focus, as large in dia- 

 meter as obtainable. Cost, about 2s. 6d. Obtain Hogg's book 

 on the microscope, which gives full information on all accessory 

 apparatus ; the book is published at 7s. 6d. — Work. 



Loop Stage Clamps or Piano Forte ^Vire. — That fine 

 mechanic Albert Storer of Boston has fitted the Shurtlefi" stage 

 of the Clinical microscope with a loop of piano forte wire. The 

 free ends of the loop are bent at right angles and fit into holes 

 bored in the stage on its under side near tlie front. Thence 

 they run backwards to the rear of stage and the loop is bent 

 forwards to the front of stage. This arrangement securely holds 

 the slide while from its toughness and form it is not readily 

 detached, but is flexible, elastic and satisfactory. The}' can be 

 used on other stages. When it is remembered that the princi- 

 ple of the loop is a fine one as it has strength, utility, and dura- 

 bility it closely applies force to whatever object applied. Surg- 

 ery has benefited and now microscopy benefits from the loop. 



MEDICAL MICROSCOPY. 



Dr. O. W. Holmes as a Microscopist. — Said he "It is 

 curious how the novice always sees air bubbles under the mi- 

 croscope. Put the nicest object you may in the field and the 

 novice will first ask about the air bubbles that may chance to 

 be there." Forty-two years of micrographic experience con- 

 firms this dictum : It might be classed as an innate idea in mi- 

 croscopy. 



Dr. Holmes in 1853 used a microscope made by Sp-mcer of 

 Canastota, N. Y., which belonged to the late Dr. Waldo T. 

 Burnett of Boston, Fellow of the American Academy, whose 

 early death, 1854, was greatl}' mourned. Dr. Holmes said that 

 Dr. Burnett had taken this microscope to Europe and had there 

 resolved diatoms that were unresolvable there before. So Amer- 



