53 



MICROSCOPICAL SECTION. 

 February 18tli, 1861. 



Letters were jread from Captain Andersen, R.M.S. 

 " Canada," and from Dr. Wallich, respecting the pamphlet 

 on " Life in the Deep Seas." 



Mr. SiDEBOTHAM described his experience in mounting 

 desmidise, and the difficulty he found in discovering a 

 suitable medium for their preservation. He had tried syrup, 

 Goadby's fluid, and a number of other chemical preparations, 

 but the specimens, in course of time, were spoiled from one 

 cause or other ; the fluid which has best withstood the effects 

 of time is simple distilled water; the cells being made of gold 

 size and Japan black. Mr. Sidebotham exhibited desmidise, 

 mounted in distilled water, in the years 1842 to 1846, in 

 which the chlorophyll is comparatively little altered. 



Professor Williamson observed that Dr. Carpenter had 

 mounted starfishes in glycerine, and had found the colours 

 were well preserved. He himself had used a mixture of 

 glycerine and distilled water for volvox, and had found it to 

 answer well. 



Mr. Sidebotham also exhibited specimens of Diatomacese, 

 mounted in 1844. The specimens (Isthmia enervis, Bid- 

 dulphia, &c.) were obtained fresh, immersed in spirits of 

 wine to absorb the water, and mounted in balsam ; the green 

 colour of the cell contents is yet perfectly preserved. 



Professor Williamson exhibited some scales of fish, pre- 

 pared by Dr. Kolliker, of W^arzburg, containing remarkable 

 examples of fusiform lacunae. He also pointed out how these 

 and other similar discoveries, to which he referred, confirmed 



