Card Mounts for Handling Root Tips in the Paraffin Method

A method is described for utilizing card mounts to facilitate the handling of root tip samples and similar material in the paraffin method. The freshly collected roots are attached to temporary card mounts having dimensions of approximately 2 cm. × 2.5 cm. with DuPont Household Cement or a similar adhesive that hardens rapidly in the ordinary aqueous fixing fluids and is insoluble in the lower grades of alcohol. After fixation and dehydration to 75% alcohol, the roots are transferred to permanent card mounts on which they are carefully oriented for sectioning. Mucilage or glue which hardens rapidly in 85% alcohol and is insoluble in the ordinary dehydrating and infiltrating media is used in making the permanent card mounts. Detailed instructions are given for preparing and handling the card mounts, and a system of labeling the mounts is also suggested.