20 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



MICROSCOPY. 



Scale of Golden Cakp [Cyprinus auratus). — 

 In order that our series of figures of the .scales of 

 Carp may be rendered more complete, we give that 



Fig-. 13. Scale of Golden Carp. 



of the Gold-fish, or Golden Carp, too well known 

 to need description. There are one or two others 

 which will be furnished as soon as we obtain well- 

 authenticated specimens. 



Cells. — In last month's number of Science- 

 Gossip there are some remarks on mounting opaque 

 objects in cells with loose covers. At the request 

 of our section I forward you a couple of specimens 

 of a new slide for this purpose, invented by Mr. 

 Aylward, one of our members. These slides are 

 made of wood, the size of ordinary glass slips 

 (3 x 1), and about the same thickness. The cell is 

 sunk in the centre, and admits of a copper cap 

 being placed on an inner ring ; the outer groove is 

 bevelled off to allow space for the fingers and thumb 

 to remove the cap. The way to remove the cap is to 

 grasp the milled edge with the nails of the two first 

 fingers and thumb, and to turn as if to unscrew it, 

 at the same time drawing it off. The cap should 

 be slightly turned when replaced. The advantages 

 of these slides consist in their being so thin, and in 

 having a loose cover. As the effects of mounting 

 objects in permanently-closed cells were so well 

 described by your correspondent, the utility of this 

 cell is obvious. — W. Jackson, Eon. Sec. Manchester 

 Nat. Hist. Society. 



Eel-Pout {Lota vtdgaris).— The Burbott, Burbot, 

 or Eel-pout, belongs to the Codfish family, and the 



only one found in fresh water. It is not common 

 in Britain, being confined to the north-east of 

 England, and is absent from Scotland and Ireland. 

 Avery good account of this fish will be found in 



e<< F 



Fig. 14. Scale of Eel-Pout. 



" Couch's British Fishes," vol. iii. page" 93. AYc 

 give a figure of the scale more than usually magni- 

 fied, since it is very small and delicate. The Eel- 

 pout is quite a lover of northern regions, since it is 

 found in Sweden and other places in the north of 

 Europe, as well as noithern Asia. 



Preserving Alg^e, &c. — Eor the preservation of 

 mosses, algaj, &c, Dean's compound is much used, 

 and considered one of the best media. The speci- 

 men to be mounted should be immersed in the com- 

 pound, which must be kept fluid by the vessel con- 

 taining it being placed in hot water. In this state 

 the whole should be submitted to the action of the 

 air-pump, as it is not an easy matter to get rid of 

 the bubbles which form in and around the objects. 

 The cell and slide must be warmed ; and heat will 

 also be necessary to render the gelatine, &c, fluid 

 enough to flow from the stock-bottle. The cell may 

 then be filled with the compound, and the specimen 

 immersed in it. A thin glass cover must then be 

 warmed, or gently breathed upon, and gradually 

 lowered upon the cell, taking care, as with all liquids, 

 that no bubbles are formed by the operation. The 

 cover may be fixed by the aid of gold-size, japan, 

 or any of the usual varnishes ; care being taken, as 

 before, that all the compound is removed from the 

 parts to which the varnish is intended to adhere. — 

 Dacics on Mounting, 8fc. 



