The Microscope. 177 



The insect is then thoroughly washed in distilled water. Then 

 place the insect on its back, in a china saucer, and arrange its 

 legs, etc., as desired for mounting. Carefully pour over it alco- 

 hol and be sure the legs are not displaced. After several hours, 

 change the alcohol for fresh ; and after several hours more, pass 

 the insect into ether. After soaking some hours in the ether, 

 pass into turpentine, where it can remain any length of time. 



Make a glass cell slightly larger than thejnsect, but rather 

 thinner than its thickest part. Arrange the insect and fill the 

 cell with balsam and benzole. The glass cell can be made of 

 strips or glass without much trouble. 



WHAT IS A PLANT ? 



MR. WORSLEY-BENISON has been discussing this question 

 in a very interesting way, and he says in conclusion that 

 "physiologically the most distinctive feature of plant-life is the 

 power to manufacture protein from less complex bodies ; that of 

 animal-life, the absence of such power." He finds that in form, 

 in the presence of starch, of chlorophyll, in power of locomotion, 

 in the presence of circulatory organs, of the body called nitro- 

 gen, in the functions of respiration and sensation, there are no 

 diagnostic characters. He finds, however, " fairly constant and 

 well-marked distinctions," in the presence of a cellulose coat in 

 the plant-cell, in digestion followed by absorption, and in the 

 power to manufacture protein. 



The morphological feature of plants is this cellulose coat; 

 of animals, its absence; the physiological peculiarity of plants, 

 this manufacturing power ; of animals, the want of it. But after 

 all the discussion he says, "To the question. Is this an animal 

 or a plant f we must often reply, We do not know. 



Gundlach's one-fifth Objective. — Owing to an oversight 

 on my part, credit was not given to Mr. E. Gundlach in your 

 June number, as being the maker of the dry 1-5 in. objective, 

 135° air, with which I resolved pellucida in new medium. The 

 objective does it easily without being " crowded." 



E. F. Beck with, M. D. 



