6 
METHODS IN PLANT HISTOLOGY 
even a cheap microscope should know the answers to questions like 
these. All the leading manufacturers furnish, free of charge, booklets, 
explaining the construction of the microscope and giving practical 
directions for its care and use. 
Aside from the microscope 
itself, the microtome is the 
most important piece of ap¬ 
paratus in the laboratory. In 
recent years there has been 
considerable improvement in 
microtomes, but we still have 
two general types—the sliding 
and the rotary. 
The cheapest microtomes 
which have proved to be 
efficient for general work are 
simple forms of the sliding 
microtome like the one shown 
in Figure 2. It should be 
provided with a clamp which 
will hold any kind of a knife 
(Fig. 3). For large or hard 
objects the weakness of these 
small instruments is evident 
from the figures, but such an 
instrument is very useful; it 
is small and is easily carried 
around; it does not get out of 
order; it cuts celloidin well 
and is good for wood sections, 
except the hardest; and it will 
do for general paraffin work. 
Where expense is not too great an objection, a larger microtome 
should be secured. There is great difference of opinion as to the 
relative merits of the sliding and rotary types. As far as convenience 
and rapidity are concerned, the rotary microtome is unquestionably 
superior; further, it will produce good sections with less care and skill, 
because the movements are automatic. The fact that a ribbon carrier 
is so easily used with the rotary is another great advantage. But 
Fig. 1.—An efficient microscope of moderate price. 
The leading optical companies put the same objectives 
and oculars upon such instruments as upon their most 
expensive stands. 
