12 A LABORATORY MANUAL OF BOTANY 
suggest the line of discussion in the notes, but the notes 
should not become mere answers to the qutlines. Constant 
reference should be made to the drawings by means of num- 
bers corresponding to those placed on the drawings. The 
laboratory work should be submitted frequently to the in- 
structor for his criticism. 
Some beginners in writing laboratory notes have found 
the following general outline helpful. It is assumed that 
the notes are to contain such a description of the form 
studied that they would make a clear though brief pres- 
entation of it to one who does not know that particular 
plant. The following topics may each serve as the subject 
for at least one paragraph: 
1. Where the form lives. 
2. General appearance in normal growing place. 
3. The nutritive body—its form, structure, and adapta- 
tion to work done. 
4. Reproduction. 
5. Peculiarities not included in above. 
LESSON I 
Introductory exercise 
To obtain an idea of the use of the microscope and of its 
magnification, and to study the cell as a unit of structure, 
is the purpose of the work outlined in this exercise. 
Method of work.—On the glass slide place a drop of 
water, and in the water place a hair from the head, some 
fine fibers of paper, and small grains of sand. Over these 
place one of the cover-slips, letting it down in such a way 
as to force out all the air. Then place the mount thus made 
on the stage of the microscope and bring it into focus with 
the low power, as previously directed. By making slight 
changes in the focus through use of the fine adjustment 
better views of the objects may be had. 
