Connections Hint Today Mon, Dec 9 #578

Need help with Connections puzzle #578 on Mon, Dec 9? Get your daily connections hint today! Find the hidden links between these 16 words: CONSIDERATION, REFLECTION, SCRUTINY, THOUGHT, FLINT, LIGHTER, MAGNIFYING GLASS, MATCHES, MICROSCOPE, SLIDE, SPECIMEN, STAIN, FACTOR, FILES, GAMES, RAY