Hi all,
I was thinking about designing a lab along these lines myself, but have
not yet written up the techniques. If anyone has done something similar,
I would appreciate hearing how they do it.
The idea would be to work backward from some different paper products
(rag paper, toilet paper, newsprint?), soak them in something that will
repulp the fibers. The students would then stain the material and compare
the fibers in the pulps with thin sections or whole mounts of the various
plant parts that might be a source for the fibers. The student job would
be to match the fiber to the source material.
Best,
Fred Rhoades, Research Associate
Biology Department, WWU
Bellingham, WA 98225
USA
(currently teaching a botany course at Whatcom Community College)
FAX: (360) 650-3148
Voice: (360) 733-9149
email: fredr at henson.cc.wwu.edu