INTRODUCTION. li 



With such a brush a section may easily be picked up 

 from the water or alcohol, in which it ought to be 

 floating on the razor, and transferred either to the slide 

 or to a watch glass. An easier way of removing sec- 

 tions which are to be transferred to a watch glass, is 

 to wash them down to the point of the razor, and then 

 dip the point of the blade in the liquid in the watch 

 glass. 



Always cut a number of sections half a dozen or 

 more at once. One or more may prove good. 



V. MOUNTING. 



Previous to mounting any specimens, it must be seen 

 that the slide and cover glass are perfectly clean. 

 Nothing is better for cleaning slides and covers than a 

 clean linen handkerchief, which should be used for this 

 purpose alone. The cleaning of the slide is a simple 

 operation ; the cleaning of the cover requires more care, 

 to prevent breaking. Having dipped the cover in clean 

 water, take it between the thumb and fore-finger, over 

 which a single thickness of the handkerchief has been 

 thrown. Wipe gently, using the fingers of the other 

 hand to keep it in place. The surfaces of the cover 

 should be perfectly cleaned, so that when light is 

 reflected from them, no oiliness or dust is visible. 

 Having cleaned the cover, lay it down in some clean 

 place, with one edge projecting slightly, so that it can 

 be readily picked up, or stand it on edge against some 

 support. 5 Having placed the desired specimen 



5 A very convenient receptacle for covers, whether clean or dirty, is 

 made by sawing several grooves in a block of wood, and nailing across 

 the ends of the grooves a thin strip. In these grooves the covers rest on 

 edge. A similar arrangement is useful for slides. 



