n72 SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 



satisfactory preparations are obtained with 2 minutes' staining. Strong 

 solutions containing 3 p.c. hi»matoxylin stain rapidly and well. lodin- 

 haematoxylin, containing ba;matoxylin 3 grm., absolute alcohol 20 c.cm., 

 saturated solution of alum 60 com., and 2 c.cm. of alcoholic iodin 

 solution, is particularly suitable for staining bacteria. After staining, 

 the preparation is washed first in 50 p.c. alcohol and then in tap-water. 



Demonstrating Reissner's Fibre.* — G. E. Nicholls found that the 

 aceto-l)ichromate mixture gave the most satisfactory results. Moreover, 

 there was no risk of overhardening, and the material might be left in 

 it for days or even weeks without detriment. The fibre was brought 

 out especially well by staining in bulk in Clrenacher's borax-carmin, 

 followed on the slide l)y picro-indigo-carmine. This latter stain was 

 prepared by mixing one part of a saturated solution of picric acid in 

 70 p.c. alcohol with two parts of a saturated solution of indigo-carmin 

 in 70 p.c. alcohol. After an immersion of 5 minutes, the sections must 

 be washed in 70 p.c. alcohol until all traces of picric acid are removed. 

 The axis cylinders are stained red, the medullary sheaths green, and the 

 Reissner fibre dull purple. Other stains, such as iron-brazilin, Ehrlich's 

 hematoxylin. Heidenhain's iron-haematoxylin and others, gave good 

 results. 



Laguesse, E. — Methode de Coloration vitale des Chondriosomes par le vert Janus. 



[Describes the excellent results from the use of this pigment, which is 

 Diethylsafraninazydimethylaniline.] 



C.E. Soc. Biol. Paris, Ixxiii. (1912) pp. 150-5. 



(51 Mounting, including' Slides, Preservative Fluids, etc. 



Mounting Fluid for Permanent Microscopical Preparations.f — H. 

 Fischer describes a borax-glycerin-gelatin mixture which when specially 

 prepared remains fluid at room temperature, and is thus superior for 

 some purposes to Kaiser's glycerin -gelatin. Five grams of borax are dis- 

 solved in 240 c.cm. of water, 25 grm. of concentrated glycerin are added 

 and the mixture is poured over 40 grm. of fine white gelatin. This is 

 dissolved by warming and filtered warm. On cooling this will set, but 

 if it be kept warm for some time in a paraffin oven or water bath, it will 

 not set when cooled, but will change into a viscid fluid of the consistence 

 of a gum solution. 



(6) Miscellaneous. 



Ceo WE, H. W. — How to fit up a Laboratory for £10. 



[Describes how the fittings, chemicals, apparatus, etc., may be obtained 

 for £9 19s. I] Lancet, 1912, ii. pp. 472-4 (3 figs.). 



* Quart. Journ. Micr. Sci., Iviii. 1912, pp. 1-116 (5 pis. and 8 figs.). 

 t Zeitschr. wiss. Mikrosk., xxix. (1912) pp. 65-6. 



