50 SELECTED NOTES, ETC. 



guished, and only makes a very beautiful Polariscopic object, 

 without any scientific proofs as to adulteration, etc. 



Col. Basevi. 



A method of mounting Starches, strongly recommended in the 

 Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society for June last, is as fol- 

 lows : — First prepare a blue staining fluid by mixing together — 

 Soluble Anihne-Blue, J grain ; Alcohol, 25 drops ; Distilled 

 Water, i ounce. Then take of Glycerine and Water equal parts, 

 adding a little Acetic Acid, 2 or 3 drops to each ounce ; into this 

 pour enough of the staining fluid to make the whole of a decidedly 

 blue colour. Place a drop or two on the centre of a glass slide, 

 and dust some Starch-grains over it, which is best done by touch- 

 ing the Starch with a small camel-hair brush, and gently shaking it 

 over the glycerine. Let the starch-grains gradually sink into the 

 mixture, and then put on the glass cover, pressing it firmly down, 

 and carefully removing all excess of the fluid. On the Turn-table 

 run round a thin layer of Dammar, or Balsam in Benzole ; and 

 when this is dry, finish off with coloured varnish. 



The Starch-grains never take the staining, but appear in their 

 natural condition, each surrounded by a blue medium, and pre- 

 senting a very beautiful effect. J. H. G. 



Desmids and Confervse. — In the same Journal is given the 

 formula for preparing a fluid medium in which to preserve these 

 and similar organisms ; and in the hope of inducing members to 

 take up more frequently the study of these neglected but interest- 

 ing plants, it may perhaps be usefully quoted here : — 



Take of— 



Camphorated Water - - 50 grains. 



Distilled Water - - -50 grains. 



Crystallizable Acetic Acid - J grain. 



Crystallized Chloride of Copper - 2-ioth grain. 

 Crystallized Nitrate of Copper - 2-ioth grain. 



Dissolve the crystals in the water, mix all well together, and 

 filter carefully. 



Monsieur Petit has found this solution better adapted than 

 any other which he has tried for preserving the natural colour of 

 fresh-water Algae ; it is founded on the process used in commerce 

 for preserving vegetables. Desmids, Confervc^, Spirogyra, etc., 

 when mounted in this fluids have kept their brilliant green tints, 

 even after a year's full exposure to light. 



