Both coarse ones, for use in the manufacture of reagents, and small fine white ones (2 1/2 inch) for filtering the staining fluids immediately before using them, should be procured. Before using them a few drops of alcohol or distilled water should be placed in them to saturate the paper. This not only allows the fluid to pass through more rapidly, but prevents a portion of it being wasted through being absorbed by the pores of the paper.
Several needles mounted in handles.
They must be kept very bright and smooth, and care must be taken that the point does not get turned up.
A large and small funnel.
Several pipettes consisting of pieces of glass tube with an internal diameter of 1/8″ and about ten inches long, drawn out almost to a point at one end.
Section lifter.—This instrument is required for transferring sections from one reagent to another, or from oil of cloves, &c., to the slide. The most convenient form is Woodhead’s, made of thin sheet copper, which allows the blade to be bent at any angle to the stem. The stem or handle is about six inches long, and continuous with, and at an angle to it, a flat blade about 3/4 in. square with the corners rounded off. Larger ones can be obtained for mounting sections of large size, e.g., kidney, medulla oblongata, &c. The surface of the blade should be brightly polished, and kept scrupulously clean.
Ordinary dissecting forceps.
One or two scalpels.
A pair of fine scissors.
A razor or other instrument for cutting sections.