The difficulty now begins; for the parts of the polype, on being taken out of the spirit, immediately cling together, so that it is not practicable to extend the body, and separate the arms on the talc, without tearing them to pieces; therefore the only method is, to adjust them upon the talc while in the spirit: this may be done by slipping the talc under the body of the polype, while it lies in the spirit, and displaying its arms thereon by the small hair pencil and a pair of nippers; then lift the talc, with the polype upon it, out of the spirit; take hold of it with the nippers in the left hand, dip the pencil in the spirit with the right hand, and therewith dispose of the several parts, that they may lie in a convenient manner, at the same time brushing away any lice that may be seen upon the talc; now let it dry, which it does in a little time, and place the talc carefully in the hole of the slider. To prevent the upper talc and ring pressing on the polype, you must cut three pieces of cork, about the bigness of a pin’s head, and the depth of the polype, and fix them by gum in a triangular position, partly on the edges of the said talc, and partly to the sides of the ivory hole itself; the upper talc may then be laid on these corks, and pressed down by the ring as usual.[45] [45] Baker on the Polypes. OF VEGETABLES. It were to be wished a satisfactory account could here be given of all the preparations which are requisite to fit for the microscope the objects of the vegetable kingdom. Dr. Hill is the only writer who has handled this subject. I shall, therefore, extract from his “Treatise on the Construction of Timber,” what he has said; this, together with the improvements I have made on the cutting engine, will enable the reader to pursue the subject and extend it further, both for his own pleasure, and the advantage of the public. THE MANNER OF OBTAINING THE PARTS OF A SHOOT SEPARATE. In the beginning of April, take a quantity of young branches from the scarlet oak, and other trees. These are first cut into lengths, of the growth of different seasons; and then part is left entire, part split, and the rest quartered. In this state they are put into a wicker basket, with large openings, or of loose work, and a heavy stone is put in with them; a rope is tied to the handle of the basket, and it is thrown into a brook of running water: at times it is taken up, and exposed a little to the air; it is frequently shook about under water, to wash off filth; and once in ten days the sticks are examined.