PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 73 



Manchestek Literary and Philosophical Society. 



Microscopical Section. 



April IGtJi, 1860. — The Seceetaet read a paper, by Mr. 

 Hepworth, " On Preparing and Mounting Insects." 



Mr. Hepworth first destroys life by sulphuric ether, then 

 washes the insects thoroughly in two or three waters in a wide- 

 necked bottle ; he afterwards immerses them in caustic potash or 

 Brandish's solution, and allows them to remain from one day to 

 several weeks or months, according to the opacity of the insect ; 

 with a camel-hair pencil in each hand, he then in a saucer of clean 

 water presses out the contents of the abdomen and other soft 

 parts dissolved by the potash, holding the head and thorax with 

 one brush, and gently pressing the other with a rolling motion 

 from the head to the extremities, to expel the softened matter : a 

 stroking motion would be liable to separate the head from the 

 body. The Author suggests a small pith or cork roller for this 

 piirpose. The potash must afterwards be completely washed 

 away, or crystals may form. The insects must then be dried, the 

 more delicate specimens being spread out or floated on to glass 

 slides, covered with thin glass and tied down with thread. When 

 dry they must be immersed in rectified spirits of turpentine, placed 

 under the exhausted receiver of an air-pump. When sufficiently 

 saturated they will be ready for mounting in Canada balsam, but 

 they may be retained for months in the turpentine without injury. 

 Before mounting, as much turpentine must be drained and cleaned 

 off the slide as possible, but the thin glass must not be removed, 

 or air would be re-admitted. Balsam thinned with chloroform is 

 then to be dropped on the slide so as to touch the cover, and it 

 will be drawn under by capillary attraction. After pressing down 

 the cover, the slide may be left to dry and to be finished off. If 

 quicker drying be required, the slide may be warmed over a spirit , 

 lamp, but not made too hot, as boiling disarranges the object. 

 Vapours of turpentine or chloroform may cause a few bubbles, 

 which will subside when condensed by cooling. 



Various specimens, beautifully mounted by this process by Mr. 

 Hepworth, were exhibited. 



Mr. Mosley read an account of a Microscopical Examination 

 of Flour, illustrative of the commercial advantages which may be 

 occasionally derived from a knowledge of the use of the mi- 

 croscope. 



Mr. Dancer exhibited Diatomacea and Poraminifera, obtained 

 from deep soundings in the Atlantic and from the Red Sea. 



Mr. Lynde exhibited pupa cases of Insects, from the Gold 

 Coast of Africa. 



Mr. Hepworth sent for inspection an ingenious diatom box,i 

 constructed for a friend going to travel ou the Continent. 



vol. I. NEV,' SEE. ■ F 



