310 W. H. G1LBURT ON THE STAINING OF VEGETABLE TISSUES. 



at last I found could be overcome by taking the stained specimen 

 from the dye with the forceps, and holding it for a second or two in 

 absolute alcohol, and then putting it direct into the oil of cloves. 

 Nearly all the colour was thus fixed, and in such a preparation the 

 development of stomata, &c, could be distinctly traced. 



In ferns, also, by the use of the three methods here given, a series 

 of preparations may be made, which shall exhibit the development 

 of the fructification from the first differentiation of the cell onward 

 to the ripe sori. 



In the double staining of leaves there is no advantage, seeing that 

 we can differentiate every part with a single colour, and the attempt 

 to stain in two colours, while occupying more time, adds nothing to 

 the beauty or value of the preparation. 



Having thus given in detail the processes employed, let me hope 

 that many of our members will take up the subject of Vegetable 

 Histology ; and, in the use of the methods, secure pleasure and 

 profit to themselves, and add at least some small amount to the 

 sum of knowledge. 



P.S. — Since reading the above I have found that a paper on this 

 subject was published prior to the one first emoted. This was 

 written by Dr. C. Johnston, of Baltimore, and published in the 

 Monthly Microscopical Journal, Vol xi. (1874), p. 184. 



W.H.G. 



