CURRENT ISSUE: Micscape Magazine, exploring the miniature world.

New book: Walter Dioni’s nine web article suite ‘Safe Microscopic Techniques for Amateurs. Slide Mounting.’ originally published on Micscape, has been compiled into a paperback by Microscopy UK’s founder Maurice Smith. Modified classic microtechnique protocols or new ones are suggested using chemicals readily available to most. Contents below.

It is now available on a local Amazon (e.g. US / UK / FR / DE ) for ca. $17 or local equivalent (102 pp., A5, B/W images). A cheaper Kindle version also, but the auto-convert software to keep costs down doesn’t retain all the book format.

Links to Amazon purchasing details are at http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/wd/ where a free eBook and links to Walter’s suite of web articles are also offered.

As remarked in a recent news item, Walter aged 86 has advanced lung cancer and wished to present him with a physical archive of part of his large output as well as hopefully providing a more convenient paper form for the many microtechnique protocols that he shares in the book. The book is being sold just above cost price, the small profit will go to Walter’s family to help pay for his treatment.

Contents

Chapter 1 - Introduction – Liquid Media

Chapter 2- Solidifying Media

Chapter 3 - The Mixed Formulae

Chapter 3a - Formulae Derived From Fructose FG—Fructose-Glycerol Medium

Chapter 3b - PVA-lactic Acid And PVA-glycerol Mountants

Chapter 4c - The Mixed Formulae - Gum Arabic Media

Chapter 4 - The Glycerin Jellies

Chapter 5 - Ten Years After

Chapter 6 - Finale

In Focus:
This month's article by Brian Johnston ends his splendid series on macro and microscopic tours of plants. The articles can all be accessed from the Flowers Index on the top menu bar and he has created what we believe to be one of the finest compilations of studio flower photography on the web. Together with his splendid Crystals Gallery under polarised light we would like to thank Brian for sharing his skills and interests on Micscape.

'Observations' by D T Richardson published by Steve Gill. Steve Gill has meticulously compiled and presented a wide selection of the recently late Doug Richardson's work in the form of a freely downloadable pdf file and is available on Klaus Kemp's website at http://www.diatoms.co.uk/ad/downloads.htm. Heavily illustrated, it is a fitting tribute to the amazing breadth and depth of Doug's interests.

The Cladocera Interest Group (UK) - the website has a variety of resources, including a Newsletter and species checklist. The site now lists 92 species for the UK and 86 with provisional distribution maps using a variety of compiled data. It is hoped that the maps will be a starting point for interested workers to extend the knowledge of the species distribution.

New book announcement 'The Amoeba in the Room. Lives of the Microbes.' by Nicholas P. Money. Published April 24th 2014 by Oxford University Press, hardback, 220pp including extensive notes, refs, web links for each chapter plus index. 14 high quality colour plates and 16 in-page monochrome figures. UK RRP £16.99, online price typically £8.27+ (Amazon UK Marketplace.). Publisher's summary webpage with author's video and free first chapter to download.
The book's author is 'Professor of Botany and Western Program Director at Miami University in Oxford'.
An attractively presented and illustrated book and good value for a hardback. A fascinating read which illustrates the important role that microbes play in our environment, with chapters being devoted to each major ecosystem (including humans). The author discusses a selection of microorganisms associated with each system and how little we know of the role which many microbes play.
Thank you to the publishers for offering a review copy.

Leeds Microscopical Society, Morley meeting, Saturday June 7th 2014. "(See leedsmicroscopical.org.uk for a map). This year the theme is Baker Microscopes. If visitors have an exhibit or need a sales table, please contact Mike Smith, details on LMS website. Thanks to Quekett funding this meeting is free to all microscopists. Mike Smith, Hon Sec LMS."

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!