MOUNTING OBJECTS IN PHOSPHORUS. Ly (ae 
in case of accidents, as burns from phosphorus are no slight 
matters. 
Preparation of the phosphorus solution.—The solution is made in 
a 2 drachm bottle without any contraction for the neck. A filter 
of bibulous paper is folded round a cylinder of wood so that it fits 
tightly into the bottle, to the bottom of which it is forced, and 
the wooden cylinder withdrawn. The filter is now moistened with 
a few drops of bisulphide of carbon, any excess employed being 
emptied out. A piece of stick phosphorus, about } inch in 
length, is then dropped into the filter, and the bottle corked. In 
about half an hour the phosphorus will be entirely dissolved, and 
by taking hold of the edges of the filter with a pair of forceps, and 
very slowly drawing it upwards, the brilliant highly refracting fluid 
is filtered into the bottle. The filter must now be plunged instantly 
into water to prevent its spontaneous inflammation. 
Preparation of the cement.—Soak some of the best white glue in 
water for 12 hours. At the expiration of that time pour off the 
excess of water, and melt up the softened mass at a gentle heat, 
add a small quantity of honey, and evaporate in a gallipot sur- 
rounded with boiling water until when cold it forms a rather stiff 
jelly. 
At the June meeting of the Royal Microscopical Society Dr. 
Morris, of Sydney, gave the following formula for a cement to be 
used in this process :—Take one ounce of good isinglass, place it 
in a saucer, and add a few drops of water from time to time until 
the isinglass is moistened, but not pappy. Place two ounces of 
glacial acetic acid in a gallipot, and bring to the boiling point, add 
the isinglass by degrees until the whole is dissolved, keeping the 
mixture constantly stirred. Boil until a spot placed upon a slip of 
glass becomes well solidified, when cold. This cement must always 
be warmed in hot water before applying it. 
Method of mounting ( Stephenson’s ).—Let us suppose the objects 
to be diatoms adhering to the thin glass cover. Make a ring of 
the cement upon the slide, somewhat smaller than the cover, and 
when nearly dry, this latter is placed upon it, but raised on one 
side by a thin bristle. Some of the liquid phosphorus is then to 
be taken out of the bottle with a fine pointed pipette, and forced 
between the cover and the slide. The cover is gently pressed 
down, and the mount closed by passing some of the warm pre- 
paration of glue round it. When this has set securely, the super- 
fluous phosphorous may be removed by a piece of blotting paper 
moistened with bisulphide of carbon, special care being taken not 
to touch the paper with the fingers. 
The slides may now be put away for a day or two when they can 
be finished by giving two or three coats of gold size, and a final 
coat of shellac. 
