ZOOLOGICAL STATION IN NAPLES. 107 



The two great advantages of Dr. Lang's method are — (i) that 

 annuals so treated are easily stamed ; and (2) they are killed so 

 quickly that they are left, in most cases, in a fully extended condi- 

 tion. Hot corrosive sublimate kills leeches so instantaneously 

 that they often remain in the attitude assumed the moment before 

 the fluid is poured over them. The colour, however, is not so 

 well preserved as when killed with alcohol, or even with weak 

 chromic acid. 



It should be remembered that objects lying in a solution of 

 corrosive sublimate must not be touched with iron or steel instru- 

 ments; wood, glass, or platinum may be used. 



9- Dr. Andres' Methods of treating Actinise.— Among the 

 various methods employed by Dr. Andres in killing the Actinia, 

 the three following, given in the order of their excellence, are said 

 to have worked most satisfactorily. 



A. Corrosive sublimate. — With small animals, a hot solution, 

 used in the manner recommended by Dr. Lang, gives good results; 

 with larger animals, where this mode of treatment fails, the fluid 

 must be injected. The cannula of a glass syringe, filled with the 

 hot fluid, is inserted into the mouth at the moment it opens, 

 which act habitually follows on gently touching the lip. After 

 injecting, the hot solution is poured into the glass containing the 

 animal and a small quantity of sea- water. ^ 



If the operation is cleverly performed, the animal remains fully 

 expanded, as the mechanical pressure of the injected fluid pre- 

 vents contraction. 



After from five to fifteen minutes the animal is washed in dis- 

 tilled water and allowed to remain twelve hours in 50 per cent, 

 alcoholjt then passed through the higher grades of alcohol. 

 Borax-carmine and haematoxylin used for staining. 



B. Glycerine and Alcohol. J— 



Glycerine ... ... ... 20 parts. 



Alcohol (70 per cent.) ... ... 40 „ 



Sea-water ... ... ... 40 „ 



* Arid res. " Intorno all'Edwardsia Claparedii," in the Proceedings of the 

 " Reale Accademia dei Lincei," Vol. v., Ser. 3, Mar. 7, 1880, p. 9. 



t A little camphor (i ccm. to 100 ccm.) added to the alcohol will facilitate the 

 removal of the sublimate. 



X This method originated with Salvatore Lobianco. 



