1888 



Journal of Applied Microscopy 



is lowered so that the specimen is next the polished side of the jar ; the final 

 arrangement of the specimen is done after it is in the jar by means of a glass rod 

 or stiff wire. To seal the jar it is only necessary to smear the edge of the cover 



with vaseline or with a mixture of bees- 

 wax and tallow, press it firmly, and bind 

 the edges. I have found lantern slide 

 binders too narrow, and prefer strips of 

 black paper 2 cm. wide attached with 

 Lepage's liquid glue. The jars closed 

 by this method never lose any of their 

 fluid by evaporation or leakage, and if 

 necessary they can be easily opened. 

 No satisfactory directions can be given 

 regarding labeling ; if possible, the label 

 should be on the front of the jar, if not, 

 the label must be placed on the cover of 

 the jar. 



The value of such preparations must 

 be apparent to all who have to do with 

 teaching botany, or with making horti- 

 cultural exhibits of any kind which are 

 designed to be permanent. By means 

 of the formol-glycerine-copper method of 

 killing and clearing, all colors, including 

 reds and yellows, may be preserved in 

 their natural shades ; pubescent, spiny, or fleshy material is kept without crushing 

 or shrinking. 



Many subjects capable of illustration by such preparations will suggest them- 

 selves to the minds of those familiar with botanical work. Figure 4 is one of a 

 series illustrating the life-history of Helianthus tubcrosus : Fig. .-{ represents as 

 fully as possible the life-history of Pleuroius petaloidcs. A collection of oak seed- 

 lings of different ages, showing the decreasing dependence upon the cotyledons, 

 forms an interesting '" I>ife-history series." Figures 2, 4, and 5 show what may 

 be done by way of illustrating modified organs. Other preparations may be 

 devoted to illustrating polymorphism, pathological organs, development of fruit 

 from the flower, etc. Howard S. Reed. 



Botanical Laboratory, University of Michigan. 



Fi( 



-Ilydnum caj^utursi. 



