1954 Journal of Applied Microscopy 



With this equipment we have been able to conduct Biology courses which, 

 during the past term, had a total class enrollment of over one hundred students, 

 allowing each student the exclusive use of a microscope during his laboratory 

 hours. This has been made possible, however, only by breaking up the classes 

 into numerous laboratory divisions. With the erection of our new science 

 building, everything can be moved from our present laboratories in a couple of 

 hours, leaving only a few nail holes and three gas plugs to tell of former tenants. 

 Morningside College. ROBERT B. WvLIE. 



Hints on Collecting Land and Fresh-Water Mollusca. 



The collector should always bear in mind : 



First. That a dead shell is better than none at all. 



Second. That dead shells should not be taken, if live ones can be had and 

 that careful search will usually discover them wherever their " bones " are found. 



Third. That all the species are extremely variable in their abundance from 

 year to year, so it is a safe rule " when you're getting, to get a plenty." 



COLLECTING APPARATUS. 



For land shells, a " Ferriss " hoe is indispensable. This is made by getting 

 a small, light-handled garden hoe and having the blade cut down at a machine 

 shop. It should be about three inches wide on top and taper to a sharp point. 

 Then cut off the handle so that it will be as long as a cane. This makes a most 

 convenient tool for turning over logs and breaking up rotten wood, digging 

 around stumps and among the dead leaves, and in a snake country is very 

 effective for killing rattlesnakes. A pair of fine curved-pointed collecting for- 

 ceps is also necessary for picking up the small species. Small glass or wooden 

 bottles should be carried, as the small species are apt to get lost in the dirt and 

 slime, if put into the same receptacle as the larger ones. It is better not to put 

 the small species in alcohol as they are collected, as they are then killed at once 

 with the animal more or less extended. If put in a dry bottle and left a few 

 hours they will withdraw into their shells, leaving the aperture clear and fit for 

 examination. This is especially necessary with the PupidiC, where the arrange- 

 ment of the apertural teeth is a specific characteristic. 



For the larger species tin cases of a convenient size to slip readily into the 

 coat pockets are most convenient. Where the larger Helices are so abundant as 

 to make it annoying to have to take the cover oft" continually, it will be found 

 convenient to have a square hole cut in the cover large enough to pass a snail 

 through. Then stretch a piece of thin rubber, such as a piece of bicycle-tire 

 lining, across the top of the can, and put the cover in place so as to keep it 

 stretched tight. A slit in the rubber corresponding to the hole in the can will 

 enable one to slip the snails into the can, and the elasticity of the rubber will 

 keep them from getting out again. A few leaves should be put into the cans 

 before starting out to prevent the shells from being injured by rolling around 



