1895 THE MICROSCOPE. 127 



the diatoms are preserved in spirit, is removed a small quantity 

 of the fluid, with the same pipette. Of this fluid one drop is 

 let fall into the distilled water on the cover-glass. Owing to 

 the alcoholic fluid falling into water, the diatoms are scattered 

 all over the cover glass. The metal table is then gently heated, 

 so that the water evaporates very slowly and without ebullition. 

 The rest of the manipulation is performed in the usual manner. 



Adulteration of Flour. — Wheat flour may be examined by 

 adding a little water and then a few drops of a solution of potash 

 (one part of liquor potassae to three of water). Granules of 

 potato starch are swelled by this means to three or four times 

 their natural size, while those of wheat starch are scarcely af- 

 fected. Comparisons of diff'erent kinds of starch under the mi- 

 croscope would guide in many other investigations. 



Seeds. — The markings or reticulations on various kinds of 

 seed render them frequent objects for observation, with the mi- 

 croscope. 



Many of them are especially attractive when viewed with a 

 binocular microscope. Adulterations may be detected as well 

 as imperfect seeds in a sample — a subject of much importance 

 to a practical farmer. 



QUESTIONS ANSWERED. 



NoTB. — Dr. S. G. Shanks, of Albany, N. V., kindly consents to receive all sorts of ques- 

 tions relating to microscopy , wh.'the*- askfd hy ,'>> ofessionals or amateurs. Persons of ah 

 f^ ades of experience, from the beginner upunird, are -Mt'lcome to the benefits of this depa^' 

 nient. The questions are numbered for future > e/ere>rce. 



What procedure is necessary to become a member of the Royal Mi- 

 crosco'pical Society f — /. E. H. 



Send your application to Mr. W. H. Brown, Assistant Secre- 

 tary, Royal Microscopical Society, No. 20 Hanover Square, W , 

 London, England. You must send recommendations on per- 

 sonal acquaintance, from two fellows of the Society. Names of 

 American fellows can mostly be found in the list of members 

 of the American Microscopical Society, marked ¥. R. M. S., in 

 the Proceedings. Regular dues are £2 2 s., of which foreign 

 fellows (as here) pay three- fourths. 



