704 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
by the micrometer screw M. There is a catch arrangement at E for 
determining the thickness of the sections. 
The arrangement of the paper band, to the under surface of which 
the sections are made to adhere, is similar to that previously described. 
From the roller I the band passes through the guiding loop h K, thence 
through the apparatus for smearing the paper, and on to the knife-edge 
where it is directed upwards to the clamp v K, to which are attached two 
strings passing over the pulleys r and kept taut by a weight. 
The apparatus for smearing the paper consists of a box containing 
three rollers. Roller III. in front, which is of metal and of small 
diameter, serves to keep the paper band in the plane of the knife-edge. 
The two hinder rollers are of wood covered with felt. Roller II. is set 
in motion by the advancing paper band and transmits the motion to 
roller I. ; the latter takes the adhesive material and conveys part of it 
to roller II. which spreads it uniformly on the under surface of the 
paper band. 
The roller-holder W S and knife-holder M S are similar in con- 
struction. In both two side pieces engage underneath in the horizontal 
slide-way, and are connected above by a strong cross-bar. The two 
vertical screws v on the end of the cross-piece of the roller-holder serve 
to adjust the rollers in height, while the two horizontal screws h allow 
one or other side of the roller to be pushed forward. Finally the two 
horizontal screws H regulate the distance of the rollers from the knife- 
holder. 
The great advantage which the author claims for this microtome is 
that it can be used especially for relatively soft material. The present 
instrument allows of a raising of the object-stage 6 cm., so that objects 
10 cm. broad, 15 cm. long, and 6 cm. thick, can be cut from beginning 
to end. 
As regards the after treatment of the sections on the paper band, 
the author has made several improvements on the methods previously 
employed. In the first place there is no necessity to cover the sections 
with adhesive mixture before placing them in the benzene bath. It is 
sufficient to lay the plates carefully between canvas. 
The whole series of operations in the use of this microtome are 
summarized as follows : — 
A. Cutting and banding the sections on gummed paper. Number- 
ing. 
B. Covering the paraffin layer with a coat of celloidin, a process 
which involves 
1. Placing the plates horizontally between canvas in a benzene- 
turpentine bath. Several hours. 
2. Evaporating and drying. 
3. Placing in 95 per cent, alcohol between canvas. 12 hours. 
4. Evaporating and drying. 
5. Collodionizing by immersing twice in thick collodion. 
6. Keeping provisionally in 80 per cent, alcohol or glycerin- 
alcohol. 
C. Staining after removing the paper beneath the sections by 
immersing in water. 
D. Clearing, &c. 
