K'36 Journal of Applied Microscopy 



form " stains readily. The nuclei of the segmenting bodies are also readily 

 shown, but to demonstrate the loosened-up chromatin of intermediate forms 

 requires immersion of one and one-half to two minutes. To demonstrate chro- 

 matin in crescents, staining for one to two minutes is desirable. The usefulness 

 of the polychrome methylen blue method is not restricted to malarial parasites ; 

 but has been tried successfully in pernicious anemia, necrosis and polychromato- 

 philia. Nuclei and intra-nuclear network of nucleated red cells ; granules of neu- 

 trophilic and eosinophilic leucocytes ; nucleoli and basophilic granules of lympho- 

 cytes, blood platelets and other difficult structures are shown. c. w. j. 



Cleaning Slides and Cover-glasses. — Until one has had some experience 

 in microscopical work, the matter of cleaning slides and covers for mounting 

 objects is thought to need little or no attention ; but it must be remembered that 

 all of the light that enters the microscope, except when viewing opaque objects, 

 must pass through these plates of glass. Except for critical microscopical work 

 no cleaning agents or special mixtures are necessary. New slides may be cleaned 

 sufficiently for ordinary work by thoroughly rinsing them in clean water or, better, 

 by soaking them a short time in alcohol and, after allowing them to drain on a 

 clean cloth or blotting paper, wipe them with a soft cloth, such as cheese-cloth, or 

 with filter paper. In wiping, as in all handling of clean slides, they should be held 

 by their edges, since the slightest touch on the surface leaves a finger mark. Slides 

 upon which objects have been mounted in glycerin, balsam, or other gummy media, 

 may be cleaned by allowing them to soak for some time in alcohol, benzine, or 

 turpentine, followed by thorough washing with soap and water. A good method 

 to follow with balsam is to heat the slide until the balsam melts and remove the 

 cover, after which the balsam is more easily removed, as indicated above. Cover- 

 glasses may be cleaned by the same procedure as given for slides. More care 

 must be exercised to avoid breakage, and the covers should be put into the 

 cleaning agents one by one, else they stick together. In wiping covers hold the 

 cover by its edges between the thumb and forefinger of one hand, and with the 

 thumb and forefinger of the other hand, covered with a soft, clean cloth or, better, 

 with lens paper, rub the surfaces. Breakage will be rendered less liable if the 

 thumb and finger are kept exactly opposite each other. One may determine 

 whether or not the cover is perfectly clean by looking through it towards the 

 light. Particles of dust may be removed by breathing on the cover and wiping 

 again carefully. Clean covers should always be handled by their edges or with 

 fine forceps. 



Prof. C. C. Nutting of the University of Iowa will direct the work an marine 

 invertebrates during the coming cruise of the U. S. Fish commission steamer 

 Albatross to the Hawaiian Islands. 



Mr. Thomas Meehan, editor of Meehan's Monthly, and well known for his 

 work in horticulture and botany, died on November 19th. During his life of 

 seventy-five years he did much to advance the knowledge of the subjects to which 

 he devoted his attention and was a valuable member of many scientific societies. 



