CARPENTER, ON FORAMINIFERA. 297 



The spirit being lighter and more limpid than Avater, com- 

 pensates for the greater density of the glycerine. The pre- 

 paration then being placed on the glass slide in a drop of 

 Avater, another drop of the above mixture is added to it. The 

 slide is then placed in a dry place, protected from dust, and 

 the spirit and Abater are alloAved to evaporate, until almost the 

 Avhole of the fluid is gone. A second drop of the mixture is 

 then added, and this allowed to evaporate as before, and 

 so on, until a sufficient quantity of the non-drying ingre- 

 dient (glycerine) is left to cover the object. The slide 

 should then be alloAved to remain a day or tAvo before the 

 cover is put on, in order to be sure that no evaporable part 

 of the fluid remains. In this Avay M. Hantszch states that he 

 has succeeded in preserving a great variety of delicate objects 

 such as filamentous Algse [Spirogijra, Vaucheria, CEdogonmm, 

 &c.), Desmidise, Infusoria, Hyclatina, senta Carchesium, 

 Euglena viridis, E. sanguinea {Amoeba, &;c.), delicate fungi 

 and other vegetable tissues, animalcules, &c., all retaining their 

 natural appearance in form, colour, and structure. Although 

 in many cases it is true that the contents of the cells are some- 

 Avhat contracted, they nevertheless retain their original struc- 

 ture; and in every case the retention of the external form may 

 be ensured. Objects taken in the act of fission, conjunction, 

 &c. remain in precisely the condition they Avere found in, and 

 vidth a little care therefore, objects may be obtained, in most 

 cases, quite as useful as the living subjects. 



Introduction to the Study of the Foraminifera. By W. B. 

 Carpenter, M.D., F.R.S., &c., assisted by W. E. Parker 

 and T. Rupert Jones. London : Printed for the Bay 

 Society, and published by R. HardA^icke, 192, Piccadilly. 



After the lapse of five years Dr. Carpenter folloAvs Avith 

 his promised introduction to Professor Williamson^s recent 

 'Foraminifera.^ The subscribers to the Ray Society, like other 

 unreasonable people, have undoubtedly complained of the 

 delay. But no one, avc think, aa'Iio understands the nature of 

 scientific research Avill feel that the subscribers to the Ray 

 Society have lost anything. To be sure, five years makes a 

 large vacancy in any man's existence, but then, Avhen it has 

 been industriously used, Avhat may not be the advantage? 

 That the five years have been employed to the advantage of the 



VOL. II. — neav ser. X 



