ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 523 



solution of sodium nitroprusside. Upon the further addition of some 

 drops of an ammonia solution, a deep permanent purple-red colour 

 appears, which is discharged immediately upon the addition of acetic 

 acid. The author found that this reaction was demonstrated to perfec- 

 tion upon the soluble albumins of the crystalline lens. The muscle 

 globulins did not give such a distinct reaction, but a deep purple colour 

 was obtained with myostromin and with acid albumin. After myostromin 

 had been digested by means of pepsin and hydrochloric acid, a carmine- 

 red colour was obtained upon application of the test. Further digestion 

 products, such as the amino-acids, gave no reaction. A negative result 

 was obtained with glutin, and mucin gave only a feeble coloration. 



(5) Mounting', including- Slides, Preservative Fluids, etc. 



Terpineol for Microscopic Purposes.* — According to P. Mayer, 

 fluid terpineol has certain advantages over oil of cloves and other clear- 

 ing agents. It is colourless and remains so permanently. It has no 

 smell. It is miscible with benzol and xylol in all proportions. Sections 

 can be transferred from 90 p. a, or even if necessary from 80 p.c. alcohol 

 directly into this fluid. It has a lower refractive index than oil of cloves 

 and objects cleared in it can be examined directly, before proceeding to 

 the final stages of washing with xylol and mounting in balsam. It is 

 considerably cheaper than other clearing agents. 



(6) Miscellaneous. 



Preparation of Osteological Specimens. f—B. Mozejko describes a 

 method by means of which specimens suitable for investigation can be 

 prepared in a very short time. For instance, the bones of an animal of 

 the size of a guinea-pig can be obtained in a suitable condition in one 

 day. Soft parts, viscera and muscles, are first of all removed so as to 

 leave skeletal structures roughly free. The material is then treated in a 

 boiling solution, until all the soft parts are thoroughly cooked. For 

 large objects a solution of eau-de-Javelle, for smaller animals a soda 

 solution is used. Small and delicate objects must be boiled in water. 

 From this fluid the material is transferred to alcoholic liquor potassas. 

 The concentration of this solution should vary with the size of the 

 object. After maceration in this fluid, the specimen is transferred to a 

 water bath. The water is changed dailv until it is found no longer to 

 become turbid. If it be desired to disarticulate the skull bones, the 

 specimen should remain longer in the macerating fluid. 



Formalin for the Preparation of Museum Specimens.:}: — B. Mozejko 

 found that animals could be preserved in good condition by injections 

 of 5 to 8 p.c. formalin into the cranial, pleural and peritoneal cavities, 

 and has for some years used this method for studying the anatomical 

 relations of the viscera. He now gives an account of the technique 

 employed for the preparation of museum specimens. Animals anses- 

 thetised with ether were killed by strangulation and injected as above 

 by Kaiserling's formalin-saline mixture. The specimen is then pre- 

 pared by Kaiserling's process. The author finds that in the case of 



* Zeitscln-. wiss. Mikrosk., xxvi. (1910) pp. 523-4. 



t Auat. Anzcig.. xxxvi. (1910) pp. 314-16. J Tom. cit., pp. 317-18. 



