10 M. M. HARTOG ON FLORAL DEVELOPMENT. 



axis of the inflorescence. In older flowers it was best to begin by 

 making sections of the ovary, and the best types to begin upon were 

 the racemose Corollijiorce, such as the Foxglove and Snapdragon ; a 

 fresh stem should always be taken, as the various parts quickly began 

 to dry up or become flaccid. The best method of preparation for 

 examination under the compound microscope was to make sections and 

 act on them with a solution of caustic potash, after which having 

 washed them they should be mounted in glycerine, when they would 

 be sufficiently transparent. It was, however, the opinion of the 

 author that this class of objects was shown with greater accuracy 

 under the simple microscope than by the compound. In further 

 illustration of his subject he exhibited Chevalier's microscope 

 already mentioned, together with doublets of 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 lines 

 focus, and a pair of lance-headed dissecting needles. A copy of the 

 Atlas to Payer's " Organogenie Comparee," showing the various 

 stages of the develojmient of the flower in many natural orders, was 

 also placed upon the table for the examination of the members. 



