INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS DURING THE YEAR 1874. xcix 



the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, consists of a 

 strip of thick plate-glass, in the upper surface of which is a 

 shallow groove, deeper toward one extremity, and so ar- 

 ranged as to receive a small fish, tadpole, or triton, and re- 

 tain it without injury. The great improvement of this 

 slide consists in imbedding a small metallic tube in either 

 end of the slide, and the adaptation to these tubes of slender 

 caoutchouc pipe, one intended for the entrance and the 

 other for the exit of any fluid, cold or hot. The animal 

 can thus be kept for hours, or days, the fluid flowing 

 through as in any siphon. 



A simple and easily made cell is described in the Quarter- 

 ly Microscopical Journal for studying the development of the 

 Mucoridine. It is made by cementing a glass ring, three to 

 five millimeters in height, to a glass slip with Canada balsam. 

 The sporules of the fungus are placed on a slip, or cover of 

 thin glass, and a drop of nutritive fluid placed on them; a 

 little w r ater having been spread over the bottom of the cell, 

 the cover, having on it the spores and nutritive fluid, is low- 

 ered into its place, the drop, of course, being clear of the floor 

 of the cell, but in a damp atmosphere. If required to bo 

 kept for some time, the covers may be attached by a drop of 

 oil, and the wdiole suspended in a pan containing moisten- 

 ed sand. The nutritive fluid recommended is orange -juice, 

 boiled and filtered ; and which, from its acid, saccharine nat- 

 ure, appears to be admirably adapted for the growth of 

 many fungi. 



Professor T. D. Biscoe has contrived a new section cutter, 

 adapted for preparing sections of leaves, buds, etc. It con- 

 sists essentially of a large glass stage plate, upon which the 

 object is fastened, and a movable frame to slide upon this, 

 carrying a razor -blade at an adjustable distance from the 

 plate. The sections are cut under observation, on the stage 

 of the microscope. It is fully described and figured in the 

 American Naturalist. 



A Spherical Diaphragm is described in the A merican Nat- 

 uralist by Mr. F. B. Kimball. He says: "I made a globe 

 one and one fourth of an inch in diameter, and drilled holes 

 through it of proper grades and sizes; the ball is revolved 

 upon its axis by means of a milled head at the right of 

 the stage. It presents many advantages over the ordinary 



