CLEANING SLIDES TRANSFERRING SECTIONS 



41 



MOUNTING OBJECTS 

 CLEANING SLIDES AND COVERS 



When purchasing slides, let us urge you to get them of goad 

 quality. The regular size is one by three inches, and the edges 

 should be smoothed. As furnished by the dealers they are usually 

 quite clean, and only require rubbing with a piece of old linen to 

 prepare them for use. 



The cover -glasses should be thin, not over TO~O of an inch, 

 called in the trade -lists "No. 1." Circles or squares three-quarters 

 of an inch in diameter are generally convenient. They must be 

 thoroughly cleaned. Drop them singly into a saucer containing 

 hydrochloric acid. Then pour off the acid, and let clean water run 

 into the dish for several minutes. Drain off the water and pour 

 a little alcohol on the covers. Remove them one at a time with the 

 forceps or needle, and wipe dry with old linen.* The glass may 

 be held between the thumb and forefinger, the linen being inter- 

 posed. Very slight pressure and rubbing will complete the process. 

 The surface of the glasses should be brilliant, and they should 

 be preserved for future use in a dust -tight box. 



TRANSFERRING THE SECTIONS TO THE SLIDE 



The section is to be taken from the oil with a section -lifter or 

 spatula, Fig. 20. Smooth, stiff paper, cut in strips, may be used in 

 the same wav. 



FIG. 20. SECTION-LIFTERS. 





In changing the sections on the needle or spatula from one fluid 

 to another, as from alcohol to oil of cloves, it is well to touch the 



*We are indebted to Professor Gage, of Cornell University, for suggesting the use of Japanese 

 tissue-paper for wiping cover-glasses, lenses, etc. Ordinary manilla toilet-paper is also an excel- 

 lent material for such work. 



