261 
Description of a Live-Box for the OBSERVATION of Livine 
TappoLes and other ANiMALS. By F. E. Scuuurzez, of 
Rostock. 
(From the ‘Archiv. f. Mikroskop. Anatomie,’ IT, p. 378.) 
In the first part of Vol. xxxv of Virchow’s ‘ Archiv’ 
(January, 1866) doubts were expressed by A. Bottcher, of 
Dorpat, with respect to the spontaneity of the changes in 
form and place of the so-termed contractile cells, his doubts 
having arisen from a strict scrutiny into the method hitherto 
followed in the investigation of the motile phenomena of 
cells, and especially of the effects of the so-termed ‘‘ wet 
chamber ;” and he has suggested the possibility “that the 
amzeboid motions, as they are exhibited on the stage of the 
microscope, may be caused by external influences independent 
of the vitality of the cells.” 
In order to meet an objection of the same kind, v. Reck- 
linghausen* had already investigated and described the 
motile connective-tissue-cells in the tail of the diving 'Tadpole. 
Having been for some time past engaged in the observation 
of these movements in uninjured, living animals, I am able 
in all essential points to confirm v. Recklinghausen’ s state- 
ments ; and will here confine myself to a brief description of 
an apparatus adapted to the convenient observation of the 
changes in form and place of the connective-tissue-cells in 
the actually living state, which I have employed for a long 
time, and which is equally well adapted for other researches 
in living vertebrate animals. 
Glass slides of some thickness are provided with pecu- 
liarly formed depressions opening on the upper surface, and 
having for their object the reception of the thicker part 
of the body of the animal to be examined, and its retention 
surrounded with water. ‘The deeper depression intended for 
the admission of the trunk of the animal may be continuous, 
with a shallower one for the reception of the tail when that 
part is of any thickness, and it is desired to examine it with- 
out pressure. The shape and size of the hollow must, ot 
course, correspond with those of the object. For the Tadpole 
of the Newt I have found a hollow constructed, as shown in 
the accompanying figures, very suitable. 
Fig. 1, representing the bearer as seen from above, and 
* “Ueber Liter-und Bindegewebskorperchen,” Virch. ‘ Archiv.,’ xxxviii, 
pp. 174 and 175. 
VOL. VII.—NEW SER. a 
