CHAPTER II. 



General directions. Microscopic work should be done at a 

 rather low table, not more than thirty inches high, and resting 

 squarely upon the floor, so that it cannot be jarred by move- 

 ments in the room. In most laboratories small and short mi- 

 croscopes are preferred ; they are now made by nearly every 

 optician. The total height, when the stand is vertical, need 

 not be more than eleven or twelve inches. For various reasons, 

 which soon become apparent to those who do much histological 

 work, it is seldom necessary to provide the stand with a hinge- 

 joint, which allows the tube to be inclined toward the observer. 

 A vertical and rigid stand is steadier, less expensive, and, ex- 

 cept in very rare instances, all that is required in medical work. 



When the microscopist is about to commence his examina- 

 tion, he should select the various materials that* are likely to 

 be needed, and place them near him on the table, so as to be 

 within easy reach of his hand. Special tables for microscopic 

 work may be provided with rows of drawers upon either side 

 of the worker. In them should be kept all the microscopic 

 accessories that he expects to use, such as glass slides and 

 covers, wooden boxes for specimens, labels, a note-book for 

 rough sketches and annotations, a bit of chamois skin for 

 cleaning the lenses and other adjuvants which are found useful. 

 By so doing, these materials are kept free from dust, and stand 

 ready for use at any time. A small vessel holding clean water 

 to wash the covers and slides, a receptacle of some kind for 

 the waste, and a clean, fine, and soft towel should not be for- 

 gotten, as they are always useful for every kind of microscopic 

 work. 



The instrument is best kept under a bell-glass on the table. 

 If, however, it has to be taken about from place to place, it 



