692 KECORD OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 



with the ocean furnisli species which almost exclusively inhabit 

 brackish water, and others which present special characters. 



In the same way as the cases constructed by the larvfe of the 

 Phryganeidse give in fresh water a rich harvest of small shells and 

 Entomostraca, so also in brackish water they contain Entomostraca 

 and Foraminifera often of rare and interesting species. 



Oyster and mussel beds are also favourable spots, but in examining 

 Foraminifera from artificial oyster-beds it must be taken into con- 

 sideration whether the oysters are of French, English, American or 

 other origin, as Foraminifera foreign to the region may be found 

 which were originally brought there with the oyster shell. 



In a given locality many variations are found in the faunal 

 elements, according to the time of collection ; it is advisable, there- 

 fore, to collect at different seasons, and during two or three consecutive 

 years, if the fauna is to be thoroughly studied. Changes of temperature 

 are caused by currents, especially deep currents, which thus influence 

 the fauna of the bottoms over which they pass as well as by the foreign 

 matter which they bring. It will be useful therefore to find out 

 whether they are hot or cold, periodical or continuous, and to know 

 their origin and direction. 



In conclusion, the author points out that his instructions apply 

 equally to the Entomostraca which generally accompany Foraminifera 

 in their different habitats. 



Cleaning Foraminifera.* — After having read Mr. Vorce's article 

 on cleaning Foraminifera,! it occurred to Mr. K, M. Cunningham to 

 use electrical force to extract the shells in the dry way. For this 

 purpose he used a small tin lid, 4 inches in diameter, filled with a 

 preparation of rosin and sealing-wax, the resinous surface of which, 

 for convenience, he excited with an artist's brush, known as a " badger 

 blender." The sand from sponges or foramiuiferous marl is spread 

 thinly over as large a surface as' convenient ; the cake of rosin is then 

 excited by passing the badger's-hair brush over it several times, and 

 then turning the excited surface of the resinous cake down to within 

 a quarter of an inch of the material, and passing it gently over it. 

 The result will be that innumerable light particles will be attracted 

 to the excited surface, and will remain there, while the sand will 

 be attracted and repelled, thereby leaving a large percentage of 

 Foraminifera, spicules, &c., adhering to its surface, which may then 

 be brushed off" into any suitable receptacle. The above plan may be 

 tested on a small scale by exciting the end of a large stick of sealing- 

 wax. Damp weather is unfavourable for the experiment. 



Wax Cells.f — Eeferring to Dr. Hamlin's note on this subject,§ it 

 is suggested (1) that before applying pressure to the outer edge of the 

 disk a little turpentine should be applied to the lower surface with a 

 brush extending to the proposed width of the ring, and (2) that 

 instead of a sliglit moistening of the knife-blade, water should be used 

 freehj. 



* ' Am. M. Micr. Journ.,' i. (1880) p. 88. t ^nfr, p. 497. 



X 'Am. M. Micr. Jouru.,' i. (1880) p. 98. § Ante, p. 507. 



