Critter
farming (or ensuring a supply of protozoa during the fallow
season!) - Mike Andre
(USA) shows how a large outdoors water-filled container
with trickle heat can form a useful source of critters for
microscopical study when ponds and lakes are frozen.
The
Microscope Historical Society and its journal
- Manuel del Cerro (Canada) provides a background to this
society and its membership benefits.
Eosin
as a nuclear stain in botany and as an economical substitute
in zoology - Walter Dioni
(Mexico) provides a comprehensive discussion with examples
of eosin in use; its potential as a nuclear stain is
not widely reported. (Editor's note: I'm sure regular
readers will join me in welcoming Walter and offering
our best wishes after the difficulties that last year's
hurricane continues to have on his home town,
Cancún, and on his family.)
A
close-up view of wild cherry blossoms - with
spring in the air, Brian Johnston (Canada) illustrates
the macro and photomicrography potential of this spring
flowering tree.
The
wounded tree
- Paul James (UK) presents a fascinating illustrated 'peep
at sapwood's attempts to cover a tree's injuries'.
A
variable compensator for polarising microscopes - Ian
Walker (UK) shows how a cleaved mica square in a homemade
rotating mount below the condenser can be used to make an
elegant and competent compensator with no special skills.
The
stereo microscope MBC-10 by LOMO - Rudolf
Baumueller (USA) describes the features of this versatile
and cost effective Russian stereo, illustrated with
example images.
Resinous
history: Insects in amber - Richard
Howey (USA) shares an illustrated essay on this topic with
notes on imaging methods.
Image
processing and microscope images - Robert
Pavlis (USA) presents an overview of some image software
and techniques for editing digital photomicrographs, with examples.
One
of 'nature's little secrets' - (an unknown to me) - Richard
Howey (USA) seeks readers help in identifying a marine organism
attached to a preserved tunicate sample.
A
close up view of the fox-tail lily - Brian
Johnston (Canada) explores this attractive plant on both
the macro and micro level.
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In
focus:
Nikon Small World Competition 2006
: The closing date for entries is much earlier
this year on April 28th. The entry details,
prizes and galleries of previous competition
winners can be seen at www.nikonsmallworld.com.
|
We are
delighted to receive contributions small or large from microscopy
enthusiasts whether a novice or expert. If you have an image, tip or
article, why not share it, this magazine is what you make it! Have a chat
with us, to
see how we can help share your interests. Submission
guidelines.
