116 NATURALISTS’ ASSISTANT. 
should be soldered to the sides near the bottom to hold the 
false bottom in position. ‘This false bottom may be of cork, 
wax, or other material which will hold a pin. _ It is best for 
most purposes to have the bottom black, either by mixing 
lampblack with the melted wax before it is run in, or by 
painting the cork. Other larger and smaller tanks should 
be provided for other work. The object to be dissected 
should be pinned out upon the wax, and just enough water 
to cover the specimen poured in ; a greater quantity interferes 
with facility of work. When the water becomes discolored 
or dirty, it should of course be changed. 
In case of the smaller animals, as grasshoppers, etc., it is 
frequently difficult to pin the subject out, but the following 
plan will answer well. With a hot wire melt a small groove 
in the wax bottom and, while the wax is still in a molten 
condition, place the object in it and, when cold, it will be 
held firmly. Before doing this the specimen should have all 
