INVERTEBRATA, CRYPTOGAMIA, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 689 



The addition of a little salicylic acid modifies tlie delicate purple-rose 

 tint and destroys the dichroism, so that tlie orange-yellow is no longer 

 seen by reflection ; moreover, it only preserves the liquid for a week 

 or two, after which the phenomena alluded to set in as above described. 

 Finally it was found that ether, which has no solvent action on pal- 

 melline and does not affect its composition nor coagulate it, may be 

 used with success to preserve the liquid for an indefinite period. It 

 is sufficient to add a small quantity of ether to the solution in a tube, 

 cork it, and turn it over once or twice so as to dissolve as much ether 

 as possible in the liquid, to preserve it with all its properties for 

 several months. As long as the contents of the tube have a strong 

 odour of ether no decomposition sets in, and the optical properties of 

 the palmelline remain intact. 



This simple method of preservation may be found applicable to 

 many other organic substances upon which ether exerts no chemical 

 action. 



MICROSCOPY, &c. 



Looalities for Fresh-water Microscopical Organisms. — In the 

 recent discussions on the proposed purchase of the works of the 

 Metropolitan water companies, the case of Birmingham, where they 

 were acquired by the Corporation authorities, has been referred to. 

 London microscopists would have good reason to rejoice if the 

 result that has been obtained in Birmingham were repeated here, so 

 that an abundant supply of rare and interesting species of Rotifers, 

 Infusoria, &c., should be brought to, or rather within, every micro- 

 scopist's doors, without the drawbacks of pond-hunting. In Birming- 

 ham the ordinary supply of water for drinking and other purposes," 

 received through the pipes, has just been found to contain the rare 

 Rotifer Anunjia longisjnna, first found last year by Professor Kellicott 

 of Buffalo, U.S.A. ; * also A. stipitata, Triarthra lonr/iseln, Saljjina 

 redunca, Dinocharis pncillum, and some Tardigrada. 



Of other forms, the latest addition to fresh-water life is Ceratium 

 longicorne, very plentiful, but few living, though its congener Peridhiium 

 fahulatum seemed none the worse for its temporary sojourn in the 

 pipes. Large quantities of the curious compound organism, Dhwhrynn 

 seriularia, are also to be noted. Tlic Vorticellida3 and Entomostraca are 

 represented, the former by both branched and simple forms, and the 

 latter principally by Bosmina lomjirostrls, with his two long and curved 

 autennii3, evidently much the worse for his compulsory visit to town, 

 cither the distance travelled or the mode of transit being unsuitod 

 to his well-being. 



Diatoms are mostly present in the stellate spicies, Astcriunella 

 formosn, with a few specimens of Synedra and ricurosigmn, while 

 Desmids are fairly plentiful in Palictstnim rirannlnliim and Ihjtdothcca ; 

 also Pandoriiia morimi, Clathrori/xlis, and other algiv. 



]\[r. J. Levick, from whoso paper t the above list of organisms 

 is taken, suggests that their presence should rather be considered as 



• See this Jouinul, ii. (1870) p. 1 J7. t ' Mi'H- Nut.,' iii. (1880) p. ICG. 



VOL. III. '2 •/. 



