BOTANICAL MICROTECHNIQUE. 



part jfiret 



GENERAL METHODS. 



I. The Observation of Living Plants and Parts of 



Plants. 



1. The direct observation of microscopically small Algae 

 and Fungi generally offers no difficulties, and is best con- 

 ducted in the culture fluid of the organism under observa- 

 tion. 



In case of delicate objects which would suffer from the 

 pressure of the cover-glass, this may be prevented by the 

 interposition of paper strips, capillary tubes of glass, or 

 similar objects. The method proposed by Kirchner (I, vil) 

 and Vosseler (1,461) is especially adapted to this purpose. 

 It consists in providing the cover-glass with small " wax 

 feet " at its corners, for which a mixture of wax and turpen- 

 tine is best. This is prepared by adding to melted wax 

 one half or one third of its bulk of Venetian turpentine, 

 while stirring constantly. 



This mass adheres very closely to glass and possesses 

 besides a certain plasticity, so that one can readily use im- 

 mersion lenses and can easily slide or depress the cover- 

 glass. 



2. Where investigations are to be continued through a 

 longer period of time, covering the organisms in a small 



