86 
On Methods of 
[Monthly Microscopical 
Journal, Aug. 1, 1869. 
examination of a larger fragment of tissue in fluids, small capsules 
should be used, which rest upon a flat base, and have a spheroidal 
cavity, somewhat like the saltcellars in common use. An opaque 
dull ground may easily be obtained by coating the surface with a 
thick layer of coloured wax or gutta percha. At the same time 
a basis is thereby gained to which the objects may be fixed with 
needles. 
If it is a matter of importance to get a view of the objects in 
strong relief to see the details on their surfaces, then the magni- 
fiers of Steinheil of Munich are especially to be recommended ; 
but it is advisable that they should be supported by a ball-and- 
socket arm, which can be moved both horizontally and vertically 
on a fixed stand ; if forceps and scissors are to be used in making 
a preparation under a high magnifying power, then the capsule 
for the preparation should be placed upon a blackened block of 
wood, several centimetres high and resting directly upon the table. 
In such cases preparations are made more safely if the arms can 
rest upon the table in a position nearly horizontal. In working 
under powerful magnifiers, the nose of necessity comes nearly in 
contact with the preparation, and the bridge of the nose may then 
be made use of as a support for the cutting instruments em- 
ployed. The preparation with scissors and forceps under strong 
powers requires, as a rule, a very great steadiness and a very exact 
guiding of the cutting instrument, and it is almost indispensable to 
support it somewhere when a careful dissection has to be made of 
small and delicate objects. When the left eye is applied to the 
lens the right hand can direct with great safety a pair of scissors 
balanced upon the bridge of the nose, whilst the other hand fixes 
the object. In fixing any delicate objects, heavy forceps should be 
made use of with fine but not roughened points. 
In working by direct light with compound microscopes only, 
the lower objectives, as far as No. 5 of Hartnack's microscope and 
the corresponding ones of other instruments, can be used. For 
making preparations compound microscopes of low power were 
formerly employed, in which the image was erect or had the same 
direction as the object. 
These so-called dissection-microscopes can be easily dispensed 
with, since one very soon gets accustomed to the inverted images 
as regards the inverted guiding of the hands. 
Investigation with transmitted light can likewise be undertaken 
with both simple and compound microscopes. As regards the use 
of the former, we can add but little to what has been said before. 
When an investigation is to be made in transmitted light, the 
support must of course be transparent, and the object must be illu- 
minated by a reflexion apparatus, placed below it, in the form of 
either a prism or a mirror. Simple microscopes, or the low powers 
