4 THE MICROSCOPICAL NEWS. 
Sulphuric acid acts in the same way, with more energy and 
rapidity. It is important therefore to suspend the action as soon as 
the contraction has taken place. It would destroy the protoplasm 
if the action were prolonged. 
Mineral acids generally behave in a similar way. 
These different substances, frequently employed in the examina- 
tion of the protoplasm of the higher plants, can also be applied to 
the study of the lower cryptogams which the simplicity of their 
structure places at the confines of the two organic kingdoms. Dilute 
alcohol, glycerin, and the mineral acids, by absorbing water, reduce 
the bulk of the protoplasmic masses not surrounded by cell-walls, 
and destitute of vacuoles. We have used them successfully to de- 
termine the general construction of the body of M/onas Okenw Enr., 
and to show by that that this microbe, absolutely destitute of ternary 
envelope, must be removed from the bacteria and associated with 
the nudo-flagellate organisms. 
Knowing the means of rendering the tissues transparent, of con- 
tracting the organisms, and of fixing them in their forms, we must 
now consider what kind of histological elements or products of the 
vegetable economy are capable of being revealed by means of crys- 
tallization, destruction, or colouring. In each of these three cases 
we shall follow the inverse order to that which we have hitherto 
adopted ; instead of indicating, for each reagent, the different sub- 
stances for the determination of which it is appropriate, we shall 
examine the different substances, and for each one point out the 
microchemical operations which belong to it. 
(Zo be continued. ) 
FUNGUS FORAYS IN 1683: 
‘Lee Cryptogamic Society of Scotland held its annual meeting 
this year at Dumfries, but with what success we have had no 
report. The time was rather early for Fungi, and consequently 
they were not numerous. Lactarius capsicum, Schulz, was one of 
the most noteworthy of the “ finds.” 
The Essex Field Club met in Epping Forest for their annual 
Foray on the 29th of September, but the day proved anything but 
a pleasant one, and consequently, as the foray was to be confined 
to less than three hours, the results were not extraordinary. During 
the greater part of the afternoon a persistent downpour prevented 
outdoor investigations. 
The Woolhope Field Club opened its week of meetings by the 
arrival of guests on the evening of October 1st, and excursions 
