1899) MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 79 



The Turn-table. — To use this instrument expertly, re- 

 quires practice. The difficulty with the beginner is to 

 set a slide central llie second time, after having once had 

 a ring put round it. Put a slide on the turntable perfect- 

 ly centred. Pushing it as far as it will go up to the pil- 

 lars of the springs will make it central oneway. When 

 central, make a dot on the turntable plate. A permanent 

 one is best, just a drill tip inserted. When the slide is iu 

 position, make another dot on it with ink, directly oppo- 

 site the one on the turntable. It will now be seen that no 

 matter how many times the slide is placed on the turn-ta- 

 ble, providing these dots are opposite and the slide push- 

 ed right against the pillars of the spring, it will be per- 

 fectly centered. 



Never spin your table too quickly, or take up too much 

 varnish in your brush at one time. Slowly turning just 

 as the brush touches the slide will be the best. If the 

 motion is too fast it will be easily seen that the varnish 

 is thrown off or into the wrong place. By a little prac- 

 tice, the turntable becomes a most useful tool, in fact a 

 kind of small turning lathe for forming all kinds of cells. 



Cleaning off Surplus Balsam from the Slides.— 

 Cleaning off the balsam in excess of what is required to 

 preserve the specimen, is easily done if done right. If 

 the slides have been dried by means of an oven, it may 

 mostly be removed with a sharp knife. It may be finally 

 cleaned with alcohol, by means of a piece of linen rag 

 placed round the index finger of the right hand, the slide 

 being firmly held between the thumb and finger of the 

 left. The rag must not be tight, but fairly loose where 

 it comes in contact with the slide. Pour out plenty of 

 spirits in the saucer ; go over the slide gently but firmly; 

 don't be afraid to touch it. As the balsam is dissolved by 

 the spirits and cleared by the rag, a fresh part of the rag 

 may be used and the slide breathed upon occasionally, 

 when all will come clean in a short time. As with other 



