Microscopy at Ruhlehcn. 21!^ 



proved. A cable was laid on to give iis electric current day and 

 night. A transfoiiner was constructed on the premises, and each 

 microscope provided with a 4- volt lamp for work after dark. 



Several electrically heated incubators were also fitted up, and 

 last Easter permission 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 recently secured a Hearson's capsule, and an im- 

 proved model of embedding bath is now being made. Neverthe- 

 less, a considerable quantity of material has been satisfactorily 

 embedded, and a beginning is being made with the teclmique of 

 Cytology. Last Christmas a first-class microtome (Minot model 

 by Leitz, cutting to l/x) was purchased, but the rigours of the 

 winter, followed almost instantly by those of a phenomenally hot 

 May and June, has made it impossible to start microtomy until 

 recently. 



It has been impossible to do practical work in Zoology, but 

 Dr. Lechmere's lectures have continued 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 theoretically) by Mr. S. R. Edge, B.A. Cantab. 

 Practical instruction has been given in the testing of agricultural 

 seeds by Mr. A. Hill, B.Sc. Aberdeen, and for this course a large 

 electrically-heated incubator was constructed. 



This summer new space was alloted to Science, and this was 

 made use of to accommodate a library, shared jointly by the 

 biologists, chemists, and physicists. The library provides seating 

 accommodation for working, and contains over 500 volumes, mostly 

 the property of the science staff, but many also supplied by the 

 Board of Education. 



At present " Nature " is at once our only periodical and only 

 link with scientific activity outside. 



