On Cutting Sections. 17 



of the tin box, and then fix it in its place, the filter 

 paper will prevent the wax from running out if the bot- 

 tom fits loosely. It is also useful to leave a little of the 

 paper projecting on which to write the name of the 

 material imbedded. Then half fill the box with melted 

 wax mass and hold the material in it, keeping it quite 

 steady until the wax hardens, then by gently screwing 

 the needle round it can easily be removed, and the box 

 filled up with wax mass. It will be found a saving of 

 time to imbed a portion of material at each end of the 

 box. When the wax mass has become thoroughly 

 hard, which will take some time, especially in warm 

 weather, pull off the bottom and push the wax mass, 

 with the filter paper adhering out of the box. It can 

 then be laid by until wanted, the name of the material 

 imbedded being written on the paper. 



For cutting sections thus imbedded, a hollow ground 

 razor is necessary ; a very good one for this purpose can 

 be procured from Baker, High Holborn ; the razor must 

 be very sharp. A small glass capsule about J of an 

 inch deep filled with methylated spirit is also required 

 to put the sections into when cut, and to moisten the 

 razor in. 



Take the wax mass and with a scalpel carefully 

 remove small slices from one end, until the imbedded 

 mass can just be seen, then take the razor and dip it 

 into the capsule, taking up a little spirit, let this run 

 along the edge so as thoroughly to moisten it, and com- 

 mence cutting as thin sections as possible, by drawing 

 the razor diagonally across the mass with a steady 

 sweep ; this must not be done too quickly, and the 



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