1354 Journal of Applied Microscopy 



NEWS AND NOTES. 



The article " The University of Montana Biological Station, " which appeared 

 in the May number of the Journal, elicited a number of questions, in answer to 

 which the author, Prof. Morton J. Elrod, has added the following: 



The microscopical equipment during the past summer consisted of four 

 large compound microscopes, with two-thirds and one-sixth objectives each ; one 

 small microscope with three objectives , several additional objectives of higher 

 and lower powers ; a dozen or more hand lenses, doublets ; an abundance of 

 glass slips and covers ; an assortment of common stains and chemicals ; glassware 

 necessary to carry on the work, such as watch glasses, small beakers, pipettes, 

 staining dishes, etc. A centrifugal apparatus was used to determine the quantity 

 of the plankton. The camera had a Zeiss anastigmat lens. Series IV, telephoto 

 attachment, and ray filter. The vials for containing microscopic life, plankton, 

 were of three different lengths, with the same diameter, making it necessary to 

 carry corks of one size only. This was found to be a great convenience, especi- 

 ally as several gross of vials were carried. The vials were straight shells, without 

 neck. As a preservative formaldehyde was used. The concentrated or forty 

 per cent, solution was carried in small bottles, so that if one should be broken but 

 a portion of the supply would be lost. The concentrated solution was diluted as 

 used. No alcohol could be carried while collecting, the laws preventing alcohol 

 from being taken into an Indian reservation. 



During the past summer seventeen students took advantage of the facilities 

 for work offered by the station. The microscopical work was largely elementary. 

 Much use of the instrument was made in the study of Entomostraca from the lakes. 

 Animal and plant structures were examined, several students using the micro- 

 scope for the first time. Simple mounts were made, and the method of using 

 stains was made known through practice. Four of those attending took regular 

 courses in either botany or general zoology, with daily use of microscope and 

 microscopic material. One microscope was in constant use for two months in 

 study of Entomostraca. Four students devoted most of the summer to orni- 

 thology. One worked on fishes, one on butterflies. 



In the light of past experience the following conclusions have been reached. 

 Although the state is large and the population small, there is much more interest 

 shown in the station work than was at first anticipated. The obstacles in the way 

 are not so great as would naturally be expected. The chief difficulty is in get- 

 ting over the country, but if one is not crowded for time this makes little differ- 

 ence. The lakes in the mountains, though containing cold water, have many 

 very interesting forms of life. Very few of the lakes have been touched. Flat- 

 head lake, with its inlets and outlet, has sufficient territory for a large working 

 force, and sufficient material for wide range of study and experiment. Natural- 

 ists from the East who have a month to spare in the summer and who want to 

 see the West, and at the same time wish to do some work, may find the station of 

 advantage, and will be able to get into the field and into the hills without wast- 

 ing most of the time in learning how and where to go. The field is rich enough to 



