38 FKBPAKATION AND MOUNTING 



these there are various modifications, which for certain 

 purposes are more convenient than the usual form. The 

 ordinary metal ones are employed for taking up small 

 objects, thin glass, &c. ; but when slides are to be held over 

 a lamp, or in any position where the fingers cannot con- 

 veniently be used, a different instrument must be found. 

 Of these there are many kinds ; but Mr. Page's wooden 

 forceps serve the purpose very well. Two pieces of elastic 

 wood are strongly bound together at one end, so that they 

 may be easily opened at the other, closing again by their 

 own elasticity. Through the first of these pieces is loosely 

 passed a brass stud, resembling a small screw, and fastened 

 in the second, and through the second a similar stud is 

 taken and fixed in the first so that on pressure of the studs 

 the two strips of wood are opened to admit a slide or other 

 object required to be held in position. The wood strips are 

 generally used three or four inches long, one inch wide, and 

 about one-eighth inch thick. 



Again, some objects when placed upon the glass slide arc 

 of such an elastic nature that no cement will secure the 

 thin glass covering until it becomes hard. This difficulty 

 may be overcome by various methods. The following are 

 as good and simple as any. Take two pieces of wood about 

 two inches long, three-quarters wide, and one-quarter thick ; 

 and a small rounded piece one inch long, and one-quarter in 

 diameter ; place this latter betwixt the two larger pieces. 

 Over one end of the two combined pass an india-rubber 

 band. This will give a continual pressure, and may be 

 opened by bringing the two pieces together at the other 

 end ; the pressure may be readily made uniform by paring 

 the points at the inner sides, and may be regulated by the 

 strength of the india-rubber band. These bands may be 

 made cheaply, and of any power, by procuring a piece of 

 india-rubber tubing of the width required, and cutting off 

 certain breadths. Another very simple method of getting 

 this pressure is mentioned in the "Micrographic Dictionary."" 

 Two pieces of whalebone of the length required are tied 



