276 : REPORTS FROM THE SECTIONS. 
The diatoms may now be transferred to a convenient nesepiaely 
and preserved in distilled water ae os ane ; a drop or two of 
may so term it, and ‘the other contains the pure Hatninn 
a sizist mbes shailer quantity of stuff. You will see there is a 
large reduction in bulk, showing ro amount of foreign matter 
got rid of. 
In mounting the diatoms, some are better shown in balsam or 
damar, others display their markings best when dry. The general 
rule appears to be as far as my experience goes, that all those 
species with coarse ae or beadings show to the best advantage 
when mounted in balsam; those with very fine lines, such as in 
all the difficult test cae. are better mounted dry. 
In conelusion I would say a word in reply to questions I have 
heard put sometimes, when after the expenditure of much time, 
trouble, and patience, riage of light and mirror, the lines on 
some difficult test diatom have at last been fairly displayed, 
well what good have sae accomplished? In what respect 1s 
microscopic science benefited by the fact _ such a — 
as so many lines to the inch? There I know many 
microscopists who affect to donee those a Dies call “ inate 
iacs’’ and count the time and trouble expended i in the resolu- 
tion of markings as simply wasted. Now without for a moment 
arguing that the only or chief work for the microscope is count- 
ing the strie on diatoms, I would hold that the time spent in 
successfully resolving a difficult test is by no means wasted. The 
tyro sitting down before his newly acquired instrument places an 
object on the stage, turns on the full glare of light Fro m his 
mirror and condenser and fancies he sees paint dae! to ) perfection. 
Let pe tr 
Batare. lines or Sain werebeautially eared he sees ablank. 
Hem sa spend cats hours in trying er trick of illumination, 
Il carry 
srneele and apply it in the broad field of al work that lies 
re him on every side. Should he turn his attention to the 
