ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 649 



some minutes, and afterwards transferred to a saturated solution of 

 Sudan iii. in 96 per cent, alcohol for 12-21 hours. They are then 

 washed in alcohol and mounted in glycerin. 



Staining Envelope of Ascospores.* — Mr. W. A. Riley recommends 

 a strong aqueous solution of Bismarck-brown for staining ascospores. 

 Fifteen minutes is sufficient, though it is impossible to overstain. The 

 spores are then washed in water and mounted in glycerin jelly. 



Eapid Conversion of Hematoxylin into Haematem in Staining 

 Solutions. - ]" — Dr. H. F. Harris uses mercuric oxide for rapidly con- 

 verting hematoxylin into hernatein. The first formula given is one 

 which makes a solution much the same as Mayer's hemalum : — Hema- 

 toxylin 1 grm., alcohol 10 ccm., alum (potash or ammonia) 20 grm., dis- 

 tilled water 200 ccm. The alum is dissolved in the water by tbe aid of 

 heat and then the hematoxylin solution is added. The mixture is then 

 brought to the boil as rapidly as possible and half a gram of mercuric 

 oxide added. The solution, which is now dark purple, is at once cooled 

 by plunging the vessel into a basin of cool water. It is then ready 

 for use. Its nuclear effect is heightened by dilution. 



By adding 4 per cent, glacial acetic acid to the foregoing, a solution 

 which corresponds to Mayer's acid hemalum, and much resembles 

 Ehrlich's hematoxylin, is produced. The addition of 30 to 70 ccm. of 

 the hemalum solution serves to keep the stain well, and the mixture is 

 termed glychsemalum. 



A hemacalcium solution is prepared as follows : — (A) Hematoxylin 

 0'5 grm., aluminium chloride 0*5 grm., glacial acetic acid 2*5 ccm., 

 70 per cent, alcohol 150 ccm. The hematoxylin and aluminium chloride 

 are dissolved in the alcohol, the solution brought to the boil, and then 

 1 grm. of mercuric oxide is gradually added. When it becomes dark 

 purple the solution is rapidly cooled. The acid may be added before 

 or after boiling. (B) Calcium chloride 25 grm., acetic acid 2*5 grm., 

 70 per cent, alcohol 150 ccm. The calcium is dissolved in the alcohol. 

 The two solutions may be mixed, but it is better to keep them apart till 

 just before use. Delafield's hematoxylin is prepared as follows : — Dissolve 

 hematoxylin 1 grm. in alcohol 6 ccm. and add saturated solution of alum 

 100 ccm. Boil, and add 0*5 grm. of mercuric oxide. When the liquid 

 assumes a dark purple colour, cool rapidly. When cool add 25 ccm. 

 both of methylic alcohol and glycerin. 



For staining mucin the following solution, termed muchematein,' is 

 advised. Aluminium chloride 0*1 grm., hematoxylin 0*2 grm., 70 per 

 cent, alcohol 100 ccm. 



Dissolve the aluminium chloride and hematoxylin in the alcohol, 

 boil, and add gradually 0*6 grm. mercuric oxide ; when purple, cool. A 

 drop of hydrochloric acid should be added just before or after boiling. 



(5) Mounting-, including Slides, Preservative Fluids, &c. 



Simple Method of Fixing Blood-films.J — Dr. A. Edington has 

 used the vapour of formic aldehyde for fixing blood-films, with ex- 

 tremely good results. He uses a bell-jar, the diameter of which is 



* Journ. Applied Microscopy, iii. (1900) pp. 781-2. t Tom. cit., pp. 777-80. 

 X Brit. Med. Journ., 1900, ii. p. 19. 



Oct. 17ih, 1900 2 X 



