962 Tur Microscope. 
Pror. SasakI, will have a memoir on the maggot parasite of 
the silk worm, in the frst number of the journal to be published 
by the College of Science, Imperial University, of Japan. 
A Marine and fresh water observatory has been established at 
Lochbuie, Isle of Mull, a station which promises to yield useful re- 
sults in connection with the movements of the Salmonidae and 
herrings. The establishment is under the direction of the National 
Fish Culture association.—English Mechanic. 
E. Hecker and Fr. Schlagdenhauffen have detected the pres- 
ence of the decomposition products of lecithin in a number of 
vegetable preparations. These facts establish a new link between 
the animal and vegetable worlds. They confirm once more the 
great truth of the vital unity proclaimed by Claude Bernard, to 
which is now added the unity of evolution and of organic compo- 
sition.— Chemical News. 
In order to prevent the curling up of the legs of Dermanyssus 
while mounting, J. C. Thompson obtains the animal alive, and al- 
lows it to walk onaslide. While in motion a tolerably cool drop 
of glycerine jelly is allowed to fall on it, and whilst it is “ trying 
to grasp the situation” with all its limbs extended, drop the warm 
cover on, and on examining when cool the object will be found to 
be well displayed, color natural, and no air bubbles.—Jr. Micro- 
scopy: 
THINK you, that what is carelessly looked upon by the unin- 
itiated as a mere snow flake, does not suggest higher associations 
to one who has seen through a microscope the wondrously varied 
and elegant forms of snow crystals ? : t é * * 
Whoever at the seaside has not had a microscope and aquarium 
has yet to learn what the highest pleasures of the seaside are.— 
Jour. Science and Art. 
Mr. J. D. Beck furnishes this item in regard to the mounting 
of pollens: “Pollen may be mounted dry and in any desirable 
medium on the same slide, as follows:—Spin a ring of the me- 
dium on a slide with a sable brush, from one-sixteenth to one- 
eighth inch wide, so that it will be covered by the cover glass. 
Charge the cover glass with the pollen and press down gently. The 
pollen in the middle will be dry while that around the edges will 
be in the medium.” 
