10 INTRODUCTION. 



Small objects should be placed in a piece of elder or 

 sunflower pith in which a median longitudinal slit has 

 been made, deep enough to allow the ends to spring as 

 far apart as necessary to receive the specimen, between 

 which it is to be firmly held. The pith is then to 

 be grasped as a large specimen for cutting. If alcoholic 

 specimens are being used the pith should be pre- 

 viously soaked in alcohol, and if fresh material, in 

 water. 



Cutting. Grasp the razor firmly with the right hand 

 where the blade joins the handle, bracing the blade by 

 resting the thumb against the tang. Hold the razor hor- 

 izontal, rest the under side of the blade against the corner 

 of the fore-finger and cut toward you, pushing the razor 

 from point to tang or drawing it in the opposite 

 direction, using as much of the blade in cutting as 

 possible. 



If the object be flat and thin, as a leaf, let the razor 

 edge pass through it at an angle of 20 to 30 to its 

 length. 



If alcoholic specimens are being cut, the razor blade 

 should be flowing with alcohol. The oil usually on the 

 blade from stropping will prevent the alcohol from run- 

 ning off, unless the blade be considerably inclined. If 

 fresh material is used the razor should be dipped in 

 water. The object of the operation in both cases is to 

 prevent the section from becoming dry. Should it do 

 so, it will inevitably contain air bubbles when mounted, 

 which will unfit it for examination. 



Removing the sections. The most convenient thing 

 for removing sections from the razor is a small camel's- 

 hair brush, which, when wet, tapers to a sharp point. 



