ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 



131 



takes either a clamp for imbedded objects or the special Delepine freez- 

 ing box ; these are clamped on to it by the aid of a strong milled head, 

 and can be withdrawn through a slot in the top of the fitting P, when 

 they pass out through the rails. 



Cambridge Rocking- Microtome, 1900 Pattern.*— The Cambridge 

 Scientific Instrument Company have recently introduced some new 

 features and. modifications in their well-known rocking microtome, 

 and for the new pattern (fig. 32) the following advantages are claimed: — 

 increased rigidity, impossibility of tearing sections on the upward 

 movement of the object, impossibility of cutting thick and thin sections, 



Fig. 32. 



graduated arc for showing the thickness of the sections, catch for holding- 

 object above the razor edge, improved method of fixing the cord. The 

 tearing of the sections is obviated by a simple device, by means of which 

 the object is drawn backward before the upward movement begins. The 

 older instrument not infrequently cut sections of variable thickness, but 

 the new pattern is free from this defect. The new instrument is fitted 

 with an orienting object-holder of an improved design ; it is simpler 

 than the old pattern and certain in its action. 



(4) Staining and Injecting-. 



Fiagella and Capsule Staining. — Mr. N. Morton f gives the follow- 

 ing modification of McCrorie's night-blue method. Slides are used in 

 preference to cover-slips. They are washed, bathed in 25 per cent, 

 nitric acid, and kept in methylated spirit. A 24 hours surface-agar cul- 

 ture is used. A small portion is suspended in a few drops of tap water. 

 The suspension is best made by agitating the watch-glass until the 

 germs spread out through the water. A drop or two of the suspension 



* Descriptive pamphlet from Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company, 1900. 

 See also Nature, Nov. 30, 1899. 



j Trans. Jenner (late British) Inst. Prev. Med., ser. ii. (1899) pp. 242-3. 



K 2 



