MICROSCOPIC STUDY. 
43 
number of shallow trays, twenty-one by thirteen inches, 
inside measure. These trays may be kept in a box or a 
cabinet made on purpose for them ; or if the expense is 
an object, they may be kept in a portfolio or drawer, 
taking care that they are protected from dust and insects. 
All of our readers that possess a microscope should 
study the minute tissues of ferns and mosses, especially 
the reproductive organs and the fruit. Endless half-hours 
may thus be well filled with pleasure and instruction. 
As mentioned in the early part of this article, the 
growth of the young fern ought to be daily observed 
under the microscope (fig. u), but it is also advisable 
to keep a few specimens duly prepared for the micro¬ 
scope. It is not possible to give the entire process here, 
but the following is a rough outline. Longitudinal and 
transverse sections must be cut from the root with a fine 
scalpel or razor; these sections must be cut very thin, 
one of them mounted in Canada balsam, the other in 
glycerine jelly. The section that has to be mounted in 
the balsam requires to be first transferred to pure alco¬ 
hol (spirits of wine), and allowed to remain five or six 
hours ; then it should be transferred to turpentine, in 
