Rhizobial symbiosis - M. Halit Umar (the Netherlands)
continues his fascinating look at examples of symbiosis; this month the
microstructure of the nitrogen fixing nodules on some plant roots is illustrated with
notes on how they can be studied.
Seven spot ladybird surveys: An update - in 1998 Irene Geoghegan (Scotland)
highlighted the potential threat a parasitic wasp is having on the seven spot ladybird
population in Scotland. In this update the author summarises her 1998 - 2000 survey
results in this suite compiled by Anne Bruce (Scotland). Includes details of a competition
for Scottish school children.
Hunting micro-aliens: The first voyage
- Richard Howey (USA) invites
the reader to don their scuba gear, and after visiting Prof. Moriarty's resizing lab,
explore as a micronaut the frightening world of micro-aliens in a freshwater pond.
Illustrated with images by Micscape contributors.
Crystal image gallery - James Evarts (USA) shows how the
same crystals prepared under different conditions can exhibit a colourful variety of forms
when viewed between crossed polar filters.
Filter holders, filters and more filter holders
- often more than one filter
needs to be used at a time with a microscope, but the condenser filter tray usually holds
only one. Rosemarie Arbur (USA) describes some simple practical projects to solve this.
A desmid of the genus Euastrum; rare in Britain
- Bill Ells (England) notes
that a rare desmid illustrated on a 1904 book plate can still be found in the same
Scottish Loch; and wonders if the desmid occurs more widely.
The earthworm: Chaetae - Mike Morgan (England) describes
how to prepare the stiff bristles of the earthworm during an earthworm dissection, for
study under the microscope; with notes on their importance for earthworm locomotion and
reproduction.
Polarised oblique lighting - Paul James (Wales) shows how combining
two lighting techniques can be useful for studying some subjects under the microscope as
well as showing them in an attractive way.
Video gallery: Time-lapse of crystal motion in the
desmid Closterium - Jean-Marie Cavanihac (France) shares some intriguing animations
of the crystals found in the cell tips of this desmid.
A virtual pond dip - a fun page for the beginner to learn
about some typical smaller pond critters. Compiled by Wim van Egmond (the Netherlands) and
Dave Walker (England), with links to contributors' articles.
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