NOTES AND EXHIBITS. 285 



previously permitted of undulatory and spiral movements. Lungs 

 thus prepared may, even after years, be inflated by means of 

 bellows. Sucb old lungs were seen to swell to ten times tbeir 

 size in the collapsed state, the lobes became distinct, the brown 

 colour gradually changed into red, and the whole organ 

 appeared as if taken from a fresh body. Sections of delicate 

 tissues, morbid formations which have been removed by an 

 operation, will appear after months as if in a fresh state, and may 

 thus be preserved for future study. All sorts of vegetable 

 organisms may also be preserved in this Fluid. A colony of fresh 

 water algce, which had been in this Fluid for a year, appeared to 

 be growing in the water. To some of the wonderful properties 

 of this great discovery I can myself bear testimony. The bottle 

 which I now exhibit contains some specimens of the Eed Mullet 

 preserved in the Fluid, of which I have just given you the history. 

 The Eed Mullet is remarkable for the splendour of its colouring 

 when alive, and for the rapidity with which the bright colouring 

 disappears after death. The specimens I now show you have 

 been for more than a month in preparation, and yet, as you 

 perceive, they retain their colour unchanged. The other bottle 

 ' exhibit contains a bit of beef ; it has been in the preparation for 

 a fortnight, and looks as if it had been only just cut from the 

 living animal. The advantages of this Fluid for preserving 

 organic substances are many as compared with alcohol. It is 

 cheaper, the cost not exceeding 5s. 6d. per gallon. It is safer, 

 not being inflammable. It is more portable, two-thirds of the 

 material being water, which can be got anywhere. It preserves 

 the natural colour of the object preserved, and it does not harden 

 and distort the fibres in the way which alcohol does. 



Dr. Cox exhibited portions of the Core raised by the Diamond 

 Drill, in illustration of his paper. 



P. Mackay, Esq. — The Head and portion of the body of a 

 Qohxsi f CalolatesJ , taken from a piece of timber in the Parramatta 

 Biver. 



