MICKOSCOMSTS' WORK-TABLES 



399 



no work, such as mounting 1 or dissecting, may be supposed to be done 

 at this table, it is well to cover the surface with morocco, that 

 being very pleasant and suitable to work upon. 



It should be remembered that for a full-sized microscope a depth 

 of three feet is required for comfortable work When the micro- 

 scope is set up for drawing. 1 the lamp being used direct, 2 ft. 5 in. 

 is the narrowest limit in which this can be accomplished. 



Another point of much importance is the height of the table. 

 Ordinary tables, being about 2 ft. 4 in. high, are too low even 

 for large microscopes. Tvo or three inches higher than this will be 

 found to greatly facilitate all the work to be done. It is best to 

 have the table made completely % on thoroughly solid square legs, to 

 the height of 2 ft. 7 in. ; but -we may employ the glass blocks 

 employed underneath piano feet as an expedient. It is further im- 

 portant to have the table quite open underneath, and not with nests 

 of drawers on either 

 side, because with this 

 particular table it will 

 be frequently required 

 that two persons may 

 sit side by side, which 

 is only possible with a 

 cleai- space beneath. 



The accompanying- 

 illustration (fig. 335), 

 with the appended re- 

 ferences, will make quite 

 clear the character of 

 the table which we re- 

 commend, as well as the 

 mode of using it. 



The table above de- 

 scribed is supposed to 

 be employed wholly for 

 general purposes of ob- 

 servation or research on \\ holly or partially mounted objects. But 

 the microscopist who aims at more than this will require an arrange- 

 ment for dissecting, mounting, and arranging histological and other 

 preparations, and in some cases a special table for general purposes 

 of microscopical biology. These are certainly not essentials, especi- 

 ally if the work done is a mere occasional occupation ; but where 

 anything like continuity or periodical regularity of occupation with 

 such work is intended, these will be of great service. 



A dissecting and mounting table is indeed of inestimable value to 

 those who aflect complete order and cleanliness in the accomplishment 

 of such work. 



We have found in practice that a table firmly made, with a height 

 of 2 ft. 6 in., semicircular in form, and a little more than half the 

 circle in area on the outside, with the arc of another circle cut out 

 from it to receive the person sitting at work much after the fashion 



1 Chap. IV. p. 287. 



FIG. 335. Microscopist's table. 

 (Scale, A inch to 1 foot.) 



1. Case for microscope; 2. Cabinet for objects; 

 3. Microscope lamp ; 4. Lamp with shade ; 

 5. Stand of apparatus ; 6. Book ; 7. Large micro- 

 scope ; 8. Second microscope; 9. Writing pad; 

 10. Bull's-eye stand ; 11. Light-modifier. 



