226 NOTES. 



Preparing Large and Thick Sections.— Dr. H. Scheneck 

 recommends {Bot. Cent, liv., April, 1893), a method of preparing 

 unusually large and thick sections for permanent preservation so 

 as to be useful for lecture demonstrations and for examination with 

 the magnifier. The sections are first thoroughly permeated by 

 glycerin by prolonged soaking; the superfluous glycerin is drained 

 off and the section dried with filter paper ; it is then placed in an 

 abundance of a thin solution of Canada balsam in xylol, and 

 covered with a large cover-glass. The glycerin does not mix with 

 the balsam, nor is it withdrawn from the object, which remains 

 perfectly clear. The method is applicable to sections of stems of 

 large size, such as tree ferns, palms, etc., whether woody or 

 herbaceous. Of course, suitable size of slides and covers have to 

 be obtained. 



motes. 



Relaxing Insects for Cabinet. — J. P. Mutch writes to the 

 EntofHologisfs Record that "Rectified wood naptha, obtainable from 

 any chemist, containing a trace of white shellac, say ten grains to 

 the ounce, applied to the underside of the extreme base of the 

 wings by means of a very fine sable brush, within a few seconds 

 renders the wings quite pliable ; the insect is then placed on the 

 setting-board and set to the required position, braces being used if 

 necessary. In from twelve to twenty-four hours the specimen is 

 ready for the cabinet, showing no trace of the manipulation it has 

 undergone. The shellac is recommended to prevent any possible 

 future springing or drooping, but the pure naptha produces an 

 equally satisfactory effect so far as the relaxing goes. The old 

 tedious process of damping may thus be obviated, and the delicate 

 colours left uninjured." 



Fossil Microbes. — A recent communication to the Academie 

 des Sciences, M.M. Eeynault and Bertrand stated that in examining 

 some coprolites of the Permian period, they noted the presence of 

 a considerable quantity of microbes of different kinds — isolated 

 rodlets and diplo-bacilli, strepto-bacilli, vibrios, and filaments. 

 There were also mucedinea, with mycelium and detached spores. 

 The Permium bacterium is said not to resemble any of the forms 



