BOTANICAL GAZETTE, 423 
- ’ Aor 
Proper holding instrument. Undoubtedly the sliding 
en = Sie =: form, and an object holder that grasps the 
ee oe than one in which the latter is wedged or im- 
ena one are also much more expensive in construction 
Shiect, alates well” microtome with a screw for raising the 
Seale nis reason my own laboratory is supplied with the 
ae instrument, each student having one clamped to 
_. or special work resort 1s had to the better instru- 
_ oma se 4 two important improvements upon the 
mm ro a which can not be dispensed with without 
: hated a ciency. The first is a glass top, the second is 
alee ube fitting the well. My instruments are made to 
oS : ost two and a half dollars each. They are, however, 
et rass 1s better. Each is furnished with two or three 
“ene ®, in which the objects are placed, instead of putting 
er directly in the well ‘tself. The tubes fit the well ex- 
Beg: betore placing the tube in the well. 
lished — raising the whole together. In this way not only is 
Sonik wy much easier, but the certainty of the proper move- 
o. coaipiat upon turning the screw is far greater. There 
Sto aed e same amount of friction to overcome and there is 
Edam; ¢ spring to interfere. The microtome must be fitted for 
— thee to the edge of the table. 
wali t > object to be cut is wedged more OF less firmly in the 
ube, according to the resistance offered to the knife. Deli- 
i ith, and by slopin the latter away 
80 as to leave little of it to cut, the at a or petal can be 
uising. The latter is not 
d in the fingers. Harder 
rtions of velvet cork, this also being 
en d properly away in a cone shaped top. 
is gre ‘ method of imbedding 
the atly preferable to simple wedging in the tube holder. For 
an ages there are many substances having special merits, 
Neare. eee. so EO ONS superior to others for all purposes. The 
onl st to this, however, for botanical uses is @ Soap mass, the 
Take to be herein described. 
in v wg good, white hard soap (“ Ivory” soap is excellent), cut 
a a thin slices, and having gently compress them in a suit- 
than ish, pour in enough 95 per cent. alcohol to somewhat more 
cover the sliced soap. Heat to near the boiling point of the 
