A system for preparing and holding specimens (106; 206; 306; 406; 360) for microscopic analysis, tissue culture or organ culture, the system comprising: a capsule having a first open end, a second end including at least one aperture, and defining a reservoir between the first open end and the second end, the reservoir having an inner wall defining an upper portion adjacent the first open end of the capsule and a lower portion adjacent the second end of the capsule, wherein the inner wall is generally tapered from a wider outer opening in the upper portion adjacent the first open end to a narrower inner end adjacent the lower portion, and wherein the inner wall in the lower portion is generally parallel; an insert comprising a circumferential base and a web extending across an open center of the circumferential base with at least one aperture extending therethrough, the circumferential base configured to fit through the upper portion of the inner wall of the reservoir and engage the inner wall of the reservoir in the lower portion so that a friction fit between the insert and the inner wall will secure the insert in position within the reservoir as to hold a specimen (106; 206; 306; 406; 360) between the insert and the second end of the capsule, and wherein the circumferential base optionally comprises a plurality of tabs that are sized to engage the inner wall of the reservoir within the lower portion of the capsule; and an insertion tool configured to be inserted into the first open end of the capsule and to releasably engage the insert at an insert engaging end of the insertion tool so that a portion of the insert extends beyond an outer surface of the insertion tool, the insertion tool sized to fit within the reservoir and position the insert within the lower portion of the reservoir, the insertion tool configured to permit the positioning of the insert at any of a variety of positions within the reservoir, the insertion tool further configured to disengage the insert once the insert is positioned within the reservoir, and wherein the insertion tool is optionally releasable from the insert within the reservoir by rotation of the insertion tool relative to the insert. a capsule having a first open end, a second end including at least one aperture, and defining a reservoir between the first open end and the second end, the reservoir having an inner wall defining an upper portion adjacent the first open end of the capsule and a lower portion adjacent the second end of the capsule, wherein the inner wall is generally tapered from a wider outer opening in the upper portion adjacent the first open end to a narrower inner end adjacent the lower portion, and wherein the inner wall in the lower portion is generally parallel; an insert comprising a circumferential base and a web extending across an open center of the circumferential base with at least one aperture extending therethrough, the circumferential base configured to fit through the upper portion of the inner wall of the reservoir and engage the inner wall of the reservoir in the lower portion so that a friction fit between the insert and the inner wall will secure the insert in position within the reservoir as to hold a specimen (106; 206; 306; 406; 360) between the insert and the second end of the capsule, and wherein the circumferential base optionally comprises a plurality of tabs that are sized to engage the inner wall of the reservoir within the lower portion of the capsule; and an insertion tool configured to be inserted into the first open end of the capsule and to releasably engage the insert at an insert engaging end of the insertion tool so that a portion of the insert extends beyond an outer surface of the insertion tool, the insertion tool sized to fit within the reservoir and position the insert within the lower portion of the reservoir, the insertion tool configured to permit the positioning of the insert at any of a variety of positions within the reservoir, the insertion tool further configured to disengage the insert once the insert is positioned within the reservoir, and wherein the insertion tool is optionally releasable from the insert within the reservoir by rotation of the insertion tool relative to the insert.