HARDWICKE' S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



275 



Pasteur declares sulphuret of cavbon to be the 

 most effectual, as well as the cheapest, antidote against 

 Phylloxera. 



We are very sorry to hear Prof. Huxley's health 

 is so feeble that he has been ordered not only 

 to leave off all work, but also to go abroad for change 

 and rest. 



A VERY thotightful and suggestive Essay on 

 " Domestic Water Supply, in its Relation to Sani- 

 tary Reform," has been published by Mr. J. Tertius 

 Wood, Civil Engineer (Rochdale : James Clegg). 



The King's College Science Society (President, 

 Mr. G. G. Hodgson, Hon. Sec. Mr. J. H.^ Leonard) 

 have commenced their session for 1884-5, and their 

 programme includes a fortnightly series of papers to 

 be read, extending over a large area of scientific 

 investigation. 



Dr. Richardson, in the last number of his 

 " Asclepiad," says that a simple disinfecting lamp 

 may be easily made by burning bisulphide of carbon 

 in a lamp, after the manner of an oil or a spirit lamp. 



The fourth part of Dr. Richardson's "Asclepiad" 

 has appeared. It is brighter and more readable 

 than ever. The article entitled "A Great Medical 

 Reformer, Thomas Wakley, M.P.," is particularly 

 pleasant reading. 



Mr. Gardiner has been investigating the func- 

 tion of tannin in vegetable cells. He finds it very 

 abundant in the motor tissue of the sensitive plant, 

 and in similar tissues, and he thinks there may be 

 a possible connection between the presence of tannin 

 and the irritability of the tissues. 



A. SUGGESTIVE paragraph, headed " Is the full 

 moon red hot ? " forms one of the chief of the 

 "Science Notes" contributed by Mr. W. Mattieu 

 Williams in the last number of "The Gentleman's 

 Magazine." 



Messrs. Sinel & Co., have, amongst other 

 numerous issues, just sent forth a slide of unusual 

 zoological interest — the Zoea of Galathea. It is most 

 remarkable for the long spine borne in front. 



The only gold medal for maps gained by any 

 British Exhibitor at the Healtheries, was awarded 

 to Mr. Edward Stanford, 55 Charing Cross. 



The Birmingham Natural History Society held 

 a successful conversazione in the Tov/n Hall on 

 Nov. 4th. 



The Ipswich Scientific Society had a very 

 instructive and entertaining conversazione on Nov. 

 27th. 



It was ascertained from observation at the 

 Observatory of Bordeaux, during the recent total 

 eclipse of the moon, that none of the stars disappeared 

 at the exact moment of its occultation, almost implying 

 that the edge of the lunar disk is transparent. 



It is gratifying to the many friends of Mr. C. P. 

 Plobkirk, F.L.S., author of "A Synopsis of 

 British Mosses," to hear he has been presented with a 

 splendid testimonial, consisting of a silver tea and 

 coffee service, and an illuminated address, on the 

 occasion of his removing from lluddersfield to 

 Dewsbury. The testimonial was presented "in 

 recognition of his eminent service in promoting 

 scientific work and education for a period of nearly 

 thirty years," <S:c. 



Professor Herdmann, of Liverpool, writes to 

 say he has found the feather-star {Aiitedon rosacetcs), 

 in the pentacrinoid stage in Lamlash Bay up to the 

 end of September last. 



During November, Dr. J. E. Taylor, F;G.S., &c., 

 Editor of Science-Gossip, lectured before the 

 Hemel Hempstead Natural History Society, on 

 "Mountains and Valleys : How they were formed" 

 (illustrated with the lantern) ; at Bowness Literary 

 and Scientific Society, on "Dust;" at Ambleside 

 Literary and Scientific Society, on "Flowers and 

 Fruit, and their Relation' to Insects and Birds ; " and 

 at the Chelmsford Museum, on " The Natural History 

 of the Oyster." 



MICROSCOPY. 



Freezing Microtome. — Requiring to cut some 

 fine sections of soft tissues (animal), and having 

 nothing Init the old-fashioned section cutters, I shall 

 be obliged by some information as to the construction 

 of a freezing microtome, as being the most likely 

 machine to serve my purpose. I have seen very fine 

 sections (as regards the cutting) made with a home- 

 made freezing microtome, and shall be glad to receive 

 particulars of the construction of such an instrument, 

 and the methods of using it. — E. Laiiiploiigh^ H21II. 



On Mounting Sections stained with Picro- 

 carmine. — On removing the section from the staining 

 solution, do not wash it ; but absorb the superfluous 

 picro-carmine with blotting-paper, and then mount in 

 glycerine containing i per cent, of formic acid. It is 

 not necessary to remove all the picro-carmine from 

 the section ; in fact it is advisable to leave a little 

 adhering to the section, for, within a few days after 

 mounting, the trace of dye left will be absorbed by 

 the section. This method I have always found most 

 effective ; and the preparations improve by keeping, 

 for after several days nuclei become stained, that at 

 first were unaffected. — Duiiley Owen, B.Sc. 



"Studies in Microscopical Science," &c. — 

 Many of our readers will be glad to hear that Mr. 

 Cole will issue the monthly parts of the third vol. 

 of these important "Studies" very shortly. The 

 Botanical Histology will be illustrated by twelve 

 slides, and descriptive letter-press will be contributed 



