158 ON MAKIXO DEEP CELLS FOR MICROSCOPIC OBJECTS. 



•shall be thankful for any further information on this subject through the 

 pages of ^'The Naturalist." 



The propagation of this parasite is by seeds^ the most common^ and by 

 grafts. It is generally supposed, and with truth, that it is propagated in a 

 state of nature by birds, particularly the Missel Thrush, which, after having 

 satisfied itself by eating the berries, wipes oflF such as may adhere to its bill 

 against the bark of the tree on which it may alight, and also from the 

 exci-ements of these birds, seeds out of which, we have, on more occasions 

 than one, caused to grow, although doubted by some botanists. If the seeds 

 are rubbed on the bark of the tree selected, it will soon germinate, particularly 

 on the Apple and Thorn. Du. Hamel made them sprout not only on living 

 trees, but on dead branches, bricks, tiles, stones, and in the ground; but, 

 though they germinated, they did not live long, except those on the bark 

 of living trees; and Du. Trochet caused the seeds to germinate on the frame 

 of a window, but they soon died. The roots of the Misseltoe, which penetrate 

 the bark, extend themselves between the inner bark and the soft wood, where 

 the sap is most abundant, but never, as some have supposed, into the hard 

 wood. The two modes of propagation, budding and grafting, are very simple; 

 merely make an incision in the bark, in which insert a thin slice of Misseltoe, 

 having a bud and a leaf at the end : the middle of May is the best time for 

 this operation. It is now high time I should conclude this lengthy article, but, 

 perhaps may, some day ere long, resume the subject again. 



Charminster, Dorset, July 5th., 1851 



ON Mx\KING DEEP CELLS FOR MICROSCOPIC OBJECTS. 



BY J. S. C. 



TfiE usual methods of preparing deep cells for mounting microscopic objects 

 being both tedious and difficult, a description of a speedier method which I 

 have adopted, sufficiently long, I consider, fully to test its efficiency, may possibly 

 be acceptable to such of your readers as arc microscopists. It consists in 

 the employment of small circular bands of vulcanized India-rubber, about 

 seven-tenths of an inch in diameter, (and which may be obtained of the 

 required size and thickness through any stationer,) cemented to the glass slide 

 with gold-size, which may also be used for putting on the thin glass covers. 

 For this latter purpose, however, it is necessary that the gold-size be very 

 old, about the consistence of treacle, otherwise it is apt to run in, and form 

 a thin pellicle over the surface of the contained fluid. When become too thick 

 for use, gold-size may be reduced by the addition of spirits of turpentine. 

 But, perhaps, the best material for closing the cells, is a solution of shellac 

 in rectified spirits of wine: a very thin coating of this should be laid on the 

 surface of the vulcanized band, as also upon the glass cover; the cover may 

 then be laid on at one edge and gradually pressed down, so as to express 



