PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION 
This book has grown out of a course in histological technic 
conducted by the author at the University of Chicago. The course 
has also been taken by non-resident students through the Extension 
Division of the University. The Methods were published over a 
year ago as a series of articles in the Journal of Applied Microscopy , 
and have called out numerous letters of commendation, criticism, 
suggestion, and inquiry. The work has been thoroughly revised and 
enlarged by about one-half. It is hoped that the criticism and 
suggestion, and also the experience gained by contact with both 
resident and non-resident students, have made the directions so 
definite that they may be followed, not only by those who work 
in a class under the supervision of an instructor, but also by those 
who must work in their own homes without any such assistance. 
More space has been devoted to the paraffin method than to 
any other, because it has been proved to be better adapted to the 
needs of the botanist. The celloidin method, the glycerin method, 
and freehand sectioning are also described, and their advantages and 
disadvantages are pointed out. 
The first part of the book deals with the principles of fixing 
and staining, and the various other processes of microtechnic, while 
in the later chapters these principles are applied to specific cases. 
This occasions some repetition, but the mere presentation of general 
principles will not enable the beginner to make good mounts. 
The illustrations and notes in the later chapters are not intended 
to afford a study of general morphology, but they merely indicate 
to students with a limited knowledge of plant structures the principal 
features which the preparations should show. The photomicro¬ 
graphs were made from the author’s preparations by Dr. W. H. 
Knap, and Figures 52, 57, and 59 (Figs. 61, 66, and 68 of second 
edition) were drawn by Miss Eleanor Tarrant; all other figures of 
plant structures were made from the author’s drawings. 
Corrections and suggestions will be heartily appreciated. 
~ Charles J. Chamberlain 
Chicago 
June 1, 1901 
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