Embedding Tissues and Section-cutting. 73 



the tissue. Then remove the specimen from the paraffin 

 and put it into a pill-box, pour in enough paraffin to cover 

 it, and set aside to cool. When cold, remove the pill-box 

 and make the sections with a good razor by hand, or the 

 embedded mass may be fixed to a microtome with a little 

 melted paraffin. The sections must be placed in turpentine 

 to remove the paraffin, then in absolute alcohol to remove 

 the turpentine, and finally in distilled water to remove the 

 alcohol ; they may then be stained. Sometimes it is 

 desirable to stain the tissue in bulk before it is embedded. 

 In this case the sections need only go into turpentine to 

 wash away the paraffin ; they may then be mounted in 

 Canada balsam. 



Cole's Microtome and Embedding in Carrot. When 

 a number of sections are wanted, or when a complete 

 section of an organ is desired, a microtome should be used. 

 A very good and simple instrument can be obtained from 



28. Cole's Pattern Microtome. 



Messrs. Watson and Sons, 313, High Holborn. Screw the 

 microtome firmly to the table, and with the brass tube 

 supplied with the microtome punch out a cylinder of carrot 

 to fit into the well of the microtome. Cut this in half 

 longitudinally, and scoop out enough space in one half of 

 the carrot to take the specimen ; then place the other half 

 of carrot in position, and make sure that the specimen is 

 held firmly between them, but it must not be crushed. 



