68 CUERENT NOTES AND MEMORANDA. 



arranged in series on the caoutchouc. The slide is then warmed to a tempera- 

 ture of 50° — 60° C, when the caoutchouc softens, and the sections become 

 fixed in place. The paraffin is then removed by petroleum spirit, and, if it is 

 desired, the sections may be stained in position. To attach diatoms it is only 

 necessary to arrange them on the layer of caoutchouc, and warm gently. 

 This method of fixing diatoms is highly commended by P. Francotte 

 (Bull. Soc. Beige de Micr.J. 



We have pleasure in stating that " The NaturaHst," a 

 Monthly Journal of Natural History for the North of England, Edited by 

 Mr. Wm. Denison Roebuck, F.L.S., and Mr. Wm. Eagle Clarke, F.L.S., 

 will be enlarged in the January and future issues. 



To Transfer Prints.— It is said that Printed Engravings may 



be copied on any paper of an absorbent nature by damping the surface with a 

 weak solution of Acetate of Iron, and pressing in an ordinary copying press. 

 Old writing may also be copied on unsized paper, if wetted with a weak 

 solution of Sulphate of Iron, mixed with a small quantity of Solution of Sugar. 



The Hoosier Naturalist.— Edited and PubHshed by A. C. 



Jones and R. B. Trouslot, Valparaiso, Indiana, U.S.A. We have received 

 the first three numbers of this new magazine, and we certainly wish it much 

 success. It would appear, however, that the publishers scarcely know their 

 own mind as to how to publish it at present. Parts i and 2 are 4to, on 

 good paper, part 3, 8vo, very poor paper, but we are told that better 

 paper will be used in future. The articles are interesting. 



Castor-Oil Plant.— It is said that flies will not enter a room 



in which this plant is growing. Our friends will do well to remember this, 

 and endeavour to secure a plant for their parlours before the summer. 



Preparing Leaves to show Starch-grains. — A very interest- 

 ing experiment, showing the influence of light upon the formation of starch in 

 leaves, can be readily performed according to a method recently described by 

 Prof. J. Sachs. To show the starch-grains a leaf must be bleached and made 

 transparent in this way : The fresh leaf is placed in boiling water for ten 

 minutes, after which the chlorophyll is extracted by placing it in alcohol. The 

 colour is thus removed without rupturing the cells which retain the starch. 

 The latter is then made visible by treatment with iodine. The cellular tissues 

 become stained dark blue or lighter, according to the quantity of starch present. 

 Comparative experiments may be made by exposing half of a leaf to sunshine 

 while the other half is protected. A leaf collected in the evening contains 

 much more starch than in the morning. — Ainer. Mon. Micro. Journ. 



The publishers of the " Garner " are about to issue reprints of 

 some of their articles relating to " Local Science;" the first, published at i|d.,. 

 wall relate to the Mullusca of Sussex. 



