THe Microscope. 239 
nervous cords, and there is no trace of a medullary canal. The 
cellules of the ganglia are arranged in six follicules and occupy 
the inferior and lateral regions of each ganglion, two ventral and 
four lateral. | 
Dr. Lerpy recently stated before the Philadelphia Academy of 
Natural Sciences, that Mr. Holman while studying amcebe had 
observed one burst and disappear. Very small amcebz were af- 
terwards found on the slide. This seems to indicate reproduction 
by spores as well as by division. 
For demonstrating goblet-cells, Prof. W. Flemming recom- 
mends not only haematoxylin, which imparts a deep blue or violet 
color to the contents of the goblet cells in osmium preparations, 
but also the osmium mixture followed by staining with gentian or 
safranin. The cell contents then appear blue or reddish brown, 
and stand out sharply even under low powers.—R. M. Jr. 
WHEN tissues, and especially nerve tissues, have been over- 
hardened in chromic acid, carmine may entirely fail to stain them. 
In such a case, the following method (Merkel) is of much service 
Place a large drop of a one-fourth per cent. watery solution of 
palladium chloride on a slide, and on another slide a large drop of 
ammoniacal solution of carmine. Allow the section to remain in 
the palladium for about two minutes. Wash it in water, and place 
it in the carmine fluid for about three minutes. Then wash again 
in water.—Journal of Microscopy. 
Pror. C. E. Bessey writes to the American Naturalist: ast 
year the writer called attention to the great abundance of rust 
(Aecidium fraxini, Schw), on the leaves, petioles, fruits and twigs of 
the green ash (Fraxinus viridis). This was remarkable in the city of 
Lincoln, so much so as to attract the attention of even the unscien- 
tific eye. This year it was expected that the parasite would be 
much more abundant, but to the astonishment of all, very little 
appeared. It often required a good deal of searching to find spec- 
imens for class illustration. Dr. Halstead, of Ames, Ia., reports an 
exactly similar condition of things in his flora, the abundance of 
the last year’s crop being followed this vear by a great dearth. 
What can be the explanation of this? Why should the trees be 
so free this year when such myriad of spores were produced last 
year? 
