Cutting thin sections:
Turn knob (8) about two or three clicks before each section. Each turn will
raise the specimen about 25/1000mm. Sections of less than 25 microns can be obtained. Keep
spreading water onto the cutting plate, the blade and the sectioning with the camel hair brush. Now
insert a microscope slide into slot (9). With the aid of the brush gently transfer the sections onto the
slide. Purposely the specimen is raised less and less with each sectioning so as to obtain in
succession sections of decreasing thinness.
The quality of the sections and their thinness can be constantly checked under the microscope. The
thinness of the sections depends greatly upon the type of material used for sectioning. Even hard,
woody specimens can be cut successfully, but a new razorblade should be used more frequently.
When knob (8) has reached its topmost position and will not raise the specimen any higher it has to
be turned all the way back to its original position and the specimen will have to be re-positioned.
To change the blade release knob (7).
After use dry the microtome to remove all moisture, other than that no care is required.
Always return the feed device to the topmost position by turning knob (8) before placing the
microtome into its wooden cabinet.
TIPS
Numerous plants are suitable for immediate clipping, as for example the stalk of the primula,
auralia, hydrangea, elm leaves, beech leaves and dandelion leaves.
Hard specimen can be suitably prepared by boiling them in water in which some glycerine has been
added.
Specimen which are too soft can be hardened by leaving them in highly concentrated alcohol (or
spirit) for a few days. Very soft specimen can be hardened by placing them in the deep-freeze
compartment of a refrigirator.
For colouring of plant specimen EUROMEX has many staining-fluids available.
EUROMEX Microscopen B.V.
HOLLAND
www.euromex.com
MT5503 EV1
