1884. ] Microscopy. 107 
knife placed transversely, the section-smoother may often be used 
with advantage, and sometimes proves indispensable. 
In this method it is important to use a moderately soft paraf- 
fine, which may be obtained by mixing, in proper proportions, 
soft and hard paraffine, and further to give the piece of paraffine 
to be cut a rectangular form. The piece must then be so placed 
in the holder that the side next to the knife is exactly parallel 
with the cutting edge. Thus placed, every section lies flat on the 
lade. The second section pushes on the first, adhering to its 
adjoining side ; the third pushes on the first two, adhering to the 
second.. A whole ribbon of sections may be cut in this way ina 
few moments without danger of losing their serial order. Thus 
three very important points are gained: the sections remain per- 
fectly flat, the cutting may be as rapid as the hand can move, and 
the order of the sections is preserved without trouble to the man- 
ipulator. Care must be taken only that the opposite sides of the 
paraffine are parallel, otherwise the ribbon will curve to the right 
or left, and the arrangement of the sections on the slide be less 
easily accomplished. 
Scuutze’s SECTION-SMOOTHER.'—This contrivance consists of a 
small weight supported by a steel spring. The weight (w) which 
tin 
Fic. 1.—Section-smoother adjusted to a block of paraffine ( ) preparatory to cut- 
8; 0, the object; 4, paraffine-holder ; s, steel spring; w, weight. : 
has the form of a cylinder, is about 8™ in length, and is 
fixed to the lower end of an upright rod which can be turned 
(7 ), as may be seen from the figure. One end of the 
Spring (s) supporting the weight is soldered to the ferrule ; 
the other end is held fast in the holder (4), one arm of which is 
Prolonged into an enlarged handle-like portion. The holder (2) 
ro att Eilhard Schulze, Ein Schmittstrecker. Zool. Anzeiger, VI, No. 132, p. 
