Abstract
The hemispherical bottom of ordinary gelatin capsules can be softened by partial soaking in cold water. Pressing the moistened part with a smooth, flatsurfaced object will modify the original shape of the capsule to a flat-bottomed one. Plastic Petri dishes can be used for this work with excellent results. This new shape becomes stable after drying and the capsules thus obtained can be used for orientated embedment of most kinds of samples. Using these modified capsules is particularly helpful for embedding thin specimens such as cells monolayers or fungal mycelia.
