202 



Journal of Applied Microscopy. 



outside the nucleus. The chrosomes be- 

 come arranged in a single layer in the 

 nuclear plate, the chromosomes split and 

 the two halves, somewhat connected by 

 granular strands, pass to opposite ends 

 of the cell. After the new nuclear mem- 

 brane is formed, the material of the nu- 

 clear plate still shows the intensely 

 staining chromosomes imbedded in a less 

 deeply staining mass from which pro- 

 cesses reach to the nuclear membrane. 

 These processes are withdrawn, the 

 chromosomes gradually become indis- 

 tinguishable from the rest of the mass, 

 the nucleolar membrane appears, and 

 the nucleolus and nucleus present the 

 usual aspect of the resting condition. 



The material for this work was killed 

 in Flemming's fluid (some other killing 

 agents were also used), washed in wa- 

 ter and dehydrated by adding alcohol 

 drop by drop at intervals of a minute or 

 more. The transfer to xylol and from 

 xylol to paraffln was equally gradual. 

 Paraffin sections were cut with a mi- 

 crotome and stained in the most ap- 

 proved manner. The excellence of the 

 paper is doubtless due in great measure 

 to the ingenuity and carefulness of the 

 technique. C. J. C. 



In the botanical department of the 

 University of Nebraska some changes 

 have been made in the courses offered. 

 As now arranged, after a year of "gen- 

 eral botany," the student has four lines 

 of work open to him, viz.: I, Histological; 

 II, Taxonomic; III, Physiological; IV, 

 Technical. In the histological line with 

 which we are more particularly con- 

 cerned here, the courses, which are a 

 semester in length, are as follows: 



Cytology. — A study of the microchem- 

 istry of the placet cell, and the details of 

 karyokinesis, with especial reference to 

 technical details. 



Histology. — A comparative study of 

 tissues and tissue-aggregate, and of 

 the inter-relations of tissue systems, 

 together with the technique of differen- 

 tiation processes. 



Embryology.— A study of the develop- 

 ment of the ovule, embryosac, and 

 embryo of selected spermatophytes. 



Histogenesis.— A study of the origin 

 and development of tissues and tissue 

 aggregates in the principal histogenetic 

 types of pteridophytes and spermato- 

 phytes. 



Advanced Cytology.— A critical study 

 of the cytological phenomena of sporo- 

 genesis and fecundation, together with 

 a detailed consideration of technical 

 formulae and methods. 



All are four-hour courses, each includ- 

 ing eight hours of laboratory work a 

 week, in addition to four lectures or 

 conferences. C. E. B. 



The department of Biology in Wabash 

 College is in charge of M. B. Thomas, 

 Botany; D. Bodine, Zoology and Geology. 

 By recent additions, the laboratory now 

 has nearly a full set of the delicate ap- 

 pliances made by Prof. J. C. Arthur for 

 work in plant physiology. A course in 

 bacteriology of one term is now given 

 for the benefit of the medical prepara- 

 tory men. A thorough drill in micro- 

 manipulation precedes all of the ad- 

 vanced courses in botany and zoology. 

 Work in the summer school has been in 

 charge of Mr. A. A. Taylor. An auto- 

 matic electrical thermostat, made in the 

 department, has been in use for one 

 year, and has given perfect satisfaction. 

 The cost is very little and the appliance 

 can be made by anyone. 



A correspondent desires information 

 regarding the technique of mounting 

 small Coleoptera, and parts of insects. 

 Can someone furnish the desired infor- 

 mation? 



Difficulty is sometimes experienced in 

 imbedding small bodies, such as spores 

 and pollen grains, for sectioning in large 

 quantities. I have used successfully the 

 following method, which may be new to 

 some. The spores are placed in a home- 

 opathic vial and treated in the. ordinary 

 way for paraffin imbedding. The spores 

 will sink to the bottom and the different 

 reagents can easily be poured off. When 

 the material is ready the bottle is filled 

 with paraffin, and after the spores have 

 settled to the bottom it is quickly cooled 

 off. When the paraffin has hardened the 

 bottle is broken, and with a little trim- 

 ming the block is ready for the 

 microtome. J. H. S. 



Botanical Laboratory, Ohio State Uni- 

 versity. 



PHAGOCYTOSIS. 



In demonstrating phagocytosis to 

 classes in Histology the following method 

 has many advantages, being simple and 

 efficient. A rat is rendered unconscious 

 by means of chloroform. Into its abdo- 

 men is injected, by means of a hypoder- 

 mic syringe, about one cubic centimeter 

 of the following solution: 



Lampblack 1 gram 



Gum arable 1 gram 



Salt 6 grams 



Water 20 cubic centimeters 



The rat is then allowed to recover from 

 the effects of the chloroform. After 

 twenty-four to forty-eight hours the rat 

 is killed and cover glass smears are made 

 from the abdominal lymph. The smears 

 are allowed to dry, and are then fixed 

 by immersion from twenty to sixty 

 minutes in ether-alcohol, equal parts. 



