92 



The Ottawa Naturalist 



[Vol. XXXII. 



was constructed on the premises, and each micro- 

 scope provided with a 4-volt lamp for work after 

 dark. 



Several electrically heated incubators were also 

 fitted up, and last Easter permisson was obtained to 

 put in sky-lights and to fit up a water-supply. 



With the possibility of a continuous source of 

 heat, we were able to consider paraffin embedding. 



Serious difficulty has been encountered in the 

 construction of a satisfactory automatic electric 

 thermostat for the embedding bath. We have re- 

 cently secured a Hearson's capsule, and an im- 

 proved model of embedding bath is now being made. 

 Nevertheless, a considerable quantity of material 

 has been satisfactorily imbedded, and a beginning 

 is being made with the technique of Cytology. Last 

 Christmas a first-class microtome (Minot model by 

 Leitz, cutting to la) was purchased, but the rigours 

 of the winter, followed almost instantly by those of 

 a phenomenally hot May and June, made it im- 

 possible to start microtomy until recently. 



It has been impossible to do practical work m 

 Zoology, but Dr. Lechmere's lectures have con- 

 tinued to draw an enthusiastic band of students. 



His course so far has covered: Protozoa (one 

 term) ; Coelenterata (one term) ; Vermes (three 

 terms); Echinodermata (one term). 



And he has just finished the second term of his 

 course on Mollusca. 



At the same time he has also started a course on 

 Invertebrate Embryology. Animal physiology has 

 been very exhaustively treated (again only theoretic- 

 ally) by Mr. S. R. Edge, B.A., Cantab. Practical 

 instruction has been given in the testing of agricul- 

 tural seeds by Mr. A. Hill, B.Sc, Aberdeen, and 

 for this course a large electrically-heated incubator 

 was constructed. 



This summer, new space was allotted to science, 

 and this was made use of to accommodate a library, 

 shared jointly by the biologists, chemists and 

 physicists. The library provides a seating accommo- 

 dation for working, and contains over 500 volumes, 

 mostly the property of the science staff, but many 

 also supplied by the Board of Education. 



At the present "Nature" is at once our only 

 periodical and only link with scientific activity 

 outside." 



View of the laboratory, Ruhleben Camp, Germany. 



