MOUNTING OBJECTS IN CANADA BAiSAM. 305 



in the balsam, and for various other uses, a needle fastened 

 into a handle of wood will answer; but an instrument con- 

 structed after the plan of that shown in fig. 207 is much 



Fig. 207. 



better still. This, like the forceps, is certain of being coated 

 with balsam, which may be removed either by heat or tur- 

 pentine ; the broad end of the handle wUl serve for pressing 

 down the glass cover. By this instrument preparations are 

 adjusted to their proper situations in the balsam, air bub- 

 bles are drawn away from the neighbourhood of the object ; 

 or, if necessary, they may be biu-st by touching them with the 

 point when slightly warmed. 



Spirit or Solar Oil Lamp. — For heating the balsam a small 

 lamp is required ; this may be either of tin or glass ; such a 

 one as is represented by fig. 208, to bum spirit, is very con- 



Fig. 208. 



venient, or one constructed on the solar principle to burn oil. 

 The former is better than a common oil lamp, as there is no 

 fear of blackening the balsam, which sometimes happens with 

 oil ; but the chance of this is diminished by the employment 

 of a solar lamp, supplied with a glass chimney that extends 

 20 



