The Nikon MicroscopyU confocal microscopy image gallery was created with a PCM-2000 confocal scanning system interfaced to a Nikon Eclipse E600 upright microscope. Images were recorded in successive z-axis serial sections with C-Imaging Systems software with excitation illumination provided by an argon-ion and/or a helium-neon laser.

	Interactive Java Tutorial
ATTENTION Our servers have detected that your web browser does not have the Java Virtual Machine installed or it is not functioning properly. Please install this software in order to view our interactive Java tutorials. Visitors using the Netscape and Microsoft Internet Explorer browsers can download the appropriate software from the websites where the browsers are distributed. Please do not contact us for information about specific URLs where this software can be obtained.

The American Basswood is a stately and graceful hardwood tree that grows abundantly in rich moist soil found in the eastern half of North America. The heavily foliaged crown produces dark green heart-shaped leaves that reveal lighter colored glistening undersides when blown by a breeze. Also known as American Linden and American Lime, Basswoods are widely planted as street trees in cities and towns where they are prized for providing plentiful shade and a profusion of tiny cream-colored fragrant flowers.

Basswood is the softest of the hardwood trees and is the traditional choice for hand carving and modeling. The creamy white sapwood merges so gradually with the pale reddish heartwood that it is often difficult to distinguish where one ends and the other begins. Once seasoned, the wood is soft and lightweight with a fine even texture. Because basswood lacks odor or flavor, it has been widely used to manufacture tools, utensils, and containers for the food industry. Other uses include ornate picture frames, beehives, drawing boards, toys, interior trim, veneer, plywood, and sporting goods. Certain parts of pianos and guitars are also crafted from the soft lightweight material.

The flowers of the Basswood exude a powerful scent in the warm months of June and July. When in bloom, bees appear to forsake other flowers in favor of the sweet nectar of these aromatic trees. Often affectionately referred to as the "Bee Tree", the honey produced is nearly white in color and is considered to be of high quality. Flowers that progress to seed form small nutlets that are favored by squirrels. The trunks of old Basswood trees are very frequently hollow and many birds and animals nest or den it them. During the winter months, white-tailed deer and cottontail rabbits are known to nibble on the bark and sprouts to derive nutrients. Several species of Basswood have long thrived in Europe and in Roman mythology the Basswood was revered as symbolized conjugal love and fidelity.