300 



Journal of Applied Microscopy. 



centimeters of water whicli must be added to ;>r)cc. of 95 per cent, alcohol in 

 order to obtain 35 per cent, alcohol. The mixture contains 95 cc. of 35 per 

 cent, alcohol. If more or less than 05 cc. of the mixture is 

 needed, take proportional parts of 35 and GO. This simple 

 method is a time saver, but if the bottles or Stender dishes are 

 to be iilled frequently, it will' be a still further saving of time 

 to use a long label (Fig. 4), and after pouring in the 95 per cent, 

 alcohol draw a line showing how high it reaches, and then, after 

 pouring in the water, draw another line. The next time it is 

 necessary to fill the bottles, merely pour in 95 per cent, alcohol 

 until it reaches the first line, and then pour in water until it 

 reaches the second line. It is better, but not absolutely neces- 

 sary, to use distilled water. 



Clearing Agents. — Xylol is the most generally useful clear- 

 ing agent yet known. Clove oil, cedar oil, bergamot oil, carb olic 

 acid, and turpentine are all necessary for special purposes. About 

 125 cc. of xylol and 25 cc. of each of the others makes a fair outfit to begin 

 with 



Miscellaneous. — Paraifine (hard and soft), celloidin, Canada balsam, glycerine, 

 glycerine jelly, gold size, or any good sealing medium. 



Arrangoncttt of the Outfit for Staining and Mounting. — It is best to keep the 

 various reagents in definite positions in order that no time may be lost in hunt- 

 ing for anything. The following diagram (Fig. 5) of a part of the top of a table 

 shows a convenient arrangement. 



Fig. 4. 



I SaUum ) 



Fig. 5- 



The alcohols are in front and the stains are placed behind. The eosin, 

 fuchsin, iodine green, cedar oil and clove oil may be kept in bottles ; the rest 

 should be in Stender dishes. 



( To he Continued .) 



The Zoological Club of the University of Nebraska is an organization of 

 graduate students, which meets weekly for the discussion of specific problems 

 and topics which are assigned to various members. During the past semester the 

 club has been studying the development and progress of plankton investigations. 



