Fig. 219.—Holman’s Life Slide. Full size.
Fig. 220.—Holman’s Moist Chamber.
Zentmayer’s Holman Syphon Slide is used either as a hot or cold water cell. It should be deep enough to hold a small fish or newt, and retain it without any undue pressure. When in use it is only necessary to place the animal into it (as shown in [Fig. 221]), with some water, and secure it with a glass cover; then immerse the upper tube in a jar of water, while another, at a lower level, maintains a current. When the slide is on the stage of the microscope, one jar should stand on a lower level than the other, the slide being made the highest part of the syphon. The pressure of the atmosphere is sufficient to keep the cover-glass in its place.
The examination of the various kinds of infusorial life—rotifers, for instance—is facilitated by the addition of the smallest particle of colouring matter, either carmine or indigo. A small quantity of either of these colours should be rubbed up in a little water in a watch-glass, and a portion taken up on the point of a brush, and the brush run along the edge of the cover-glass; sufficient will be left behind to barely tinge the water with the colour, and this gradually distributes itself over the rotifers. Under the microscope this minute quantity will be seen like a rising cloud of dust, and as it approaches a rotifer it is whirled round in different curves, showing at once the action of its wonderfully rapid cilia. This colouring matter appears to be devoured, as it may be traced from the mouth to the digestive canal. Monads may be detected by this means, and the smaller forms of algæ, Euglena viridis and Protococcus pluvialis.
Fig. 221.—Holman’s Syphon Slide.
Dipping-tubes.—In dealing with infusorial or monad life it is convenient to keep a stock-bottle ready for their reception, and in a light favourable to health. When a live specimen is required for examination, the dipping-tube is brought into requisition. These tubes are open at both ends, and vary in length and diameter. Their ends should be nicely rounded off in the flame of a blow-pipe; in form either straight, or bent and drawn out to a fine point, as represented in [Fig. 222]. When any special specimen is required for examination, then one of the tubes must be passed down into the water, the upper orifice having been previously closed by the forefinger, and kept tightly pressed, until its lower orifice comes in contact with the object. On the finger being removed, the water rushes up and carries the creature sought for with it. The finger is once more replaced at the top of the tube; it is then lifted out, and the contents deposited in one or other of the glass cells described. Tubes with india-rubber covers can be had.
