Journal of Applied Microscopy. 283 



nucleated red cells may have two forms, becher-shaped and disc-like, the nuclei of 

 the former being lost by extrusion and of the latter by absorption — in this way 

 accounting for the conflicting statements regarding the fate of these structures. 



A. M. c. 



^ „ „ ^, . „ . , . , These giant cells were found in the cord 



Sargent, P. E. The giant cells in the spinal ° 



cord, of Ctenolabrus ccemleus (Preliminary in the median dorsal fissure m speci- 

 paper). Anat. Anz. 15, pp. 212-225. 10 mens that had been fixed in the foUow- 

 figs. 



ing substances : 10 per cent, formol, 



saturated aqueous solution of corrosive sviblimate, Flemming's stronger chromic- 

 osmic-acetic mixture, Potassic bichromate gradually raised from 2 per cent, to 

 5 per cent, solutions. Golgi and methylen blue failed to bring out the giant 

 cells, though other nervous tissue was clearly differentiated. The stains most 

 used were : Kenyon's copper sulphate-phosphomolybdic acid hematoxylin after 

 formol ; Heidenheim's iron haematoxylin after formol or sublimate ; Sahli's 

 methylen-blue acid fuchsin axis cylinder stain on bichromate material. Also, as 

 double stains, Ehrlich's acetic acid alum haematoxylin and Congo red or acid fuch- 

 sin. The formol method was the most satisfactory. After killing in 10 per cent, 

 formol and preserving in 5 per cent., tissue was washed in water and put in 5 per 

 cent, solution of copper sulphate for twenty-four hours ; it would then have a 

 green color. Cutting in paraffin was followed by a stain made in the following 



way: 



10 per cent. Phosphomolybdic acid - 1 cm. 



Haematoxylin cr}fstals . . - - 1 gram. 



Chloral hydrate - - - - - 10 grams. 



Water ------- 400 cm. 



Sections were washed in water afterwards. By this means nerve fibers, neurog- 

 lia, and dendrites of ganglionic cells were differentiated. 



Summarizing his results, the author found thirty-five to forty of these giant cells 

 in the dorsal fissure, each enclosed in a capsule. The cells are placed in pairs. 

 In form they are variable, with numerous dendrites which anastomose with the 

 surrounding neuroglia cells and sometimes with dendrites of the giant cells. The 

 cytoplasm is granular. Each cell gives off an axis cylinder which runs ventrad 

 and laterad, dividing usually into two equal neurites, one of which enters the lateral 

 fiber bundle ; the bundle eventually passing out through the ventral root of the 

 trigeminal nerve. Observations have shown similar cells present in the trout, 

 sculpin, cod, eel, and yellow flounder, while they are absent in some other teleosts. 



A. M. c. 



Considerable delay in the publication of the Proceedings of the American 

 Microscopical Society has occurred this year, due to an unfortunate combination 

 of circumstances. Dr. Krauss, the efficient and energetic past-secretary, now 

 president of the Society, has been ill, occasioning some delay in the transferral 

 of the secretary's office from Buffalo, N. Y., to Lincoln, Neb., and Dr. Ward's 

 work has also been interrupted by illness. The last pages of the volume are, 

 however, now in the press, and will be sent to the members in April. 



