Stage. On account of its exposed position the finish 

 of the stage is worthy of special mention. The stages 

 of the cheaper microscopes are finished with a prepara- 

 tion which gives the brass a dull black appearance. 

 They are easily cleaned as directed above. When they 

 become gray and dingy a very little of one of the heavier 

 oils rubbed upon them will often make them black again, 

 unless the finish be worn off. The stages of all the 

 better microscopes are covered with hard rubber which 

 is not permanently effected by any of the ordinary 

 laboratory reagents. Should the stage become soiled 

 with balsam, immersion oil, or anything which water 

 will not remove, it can be cleaned with xylol or chloro- 

 form. The xylol will turn the black stage to a dull 

 gray, but a little of some heavy oil rubbed upon it will 

 restore the original black. If the gray color is of long 

 standing it may be necessary to leave the oil on some 

 time. Wipe off the oil thoroughly when it has done its 

 work. 



Inclination Joint. All of the better microscopes 

 are provided with the inclination joint by which the 

 body can be inclined to any angle between perpendicular 

 and horizontal. Once in a while this joint wears loose 

 so that the microscope will not remain at the desired 

 angle. This can be tightened by tightening the nuts 

 on the ends of the inclination axis with a heavy screw 

 driver if the nut is slotted, or with a "spanner" if the 

 nut it provided with two small holes. A pair of round 

 nosed pliers will serve the purpose nicely in the absence 

 of the spanner. With any of the tools great care should 

 be taken not to mar the nuts. On most of the modern 

 instruments the pin which forms the axis is slightly 

 conical and the necessary friction is obtained by drawing 

 the cone tighter into its bearings. This necessitates the 

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