A degreased bundle of fibre is inserted into the slot on the top of the Microtome. An embedding

medium is applied to the bundle and allowed to dry. The fibre bundle is placed on the ejector and the micrometer wheel is used to determine the required parameters of the precision cut.

Cross-sectioning reveals certain characteristics that may be used to identify fibres, including:

1.Contour of the fibre

2.Thickness of the cuticle layer

3.Presence of medulla – if present, its type, shade, contour in relation to that of the fibre, and position in the fibre

4.Presence of pigment – if present, its distribution whether it is sparse, dense or in large aggregates, and whether it is most dense near the medulla or near the cuticle or arranged in bi-lateral form

5.Dye penetration