MICROSCOPICAL EXAMINATION OF BACTERIA. 53 



the microscope. A perfectly clean, usually small- 

 sized, cover- glass is carefully deposited on a plate 

 or potato culture, and gently and evenly pressed 

 down. One edge is then levered up, carefully, with 

 a needle and the cover-glass lifted off by means of 

 forceps. It is then allowed to dry, passed through 

 the flame three times, and stained as already de- 

 scribed. In the case of plate-cultures, especially 

 where no liquefaction has taken place, the growth 

 is bodily transferred to the cover-glass and a vacant 

 area left on the gelatine or agar-agar, correspond- 

 ing exactly with the form and size of the cover-glass 

 employed (Plate XXV., Figs, i and 2). 



