1896 THE MICROSCOPE. 11 



dered the specimens fairly representative museum prepar- 

 ations, fit for systematic or anatomical purposes. 



Similar trials were made with a variety of fish naked 

 and scaled, large and small, with uniformly good results. 

 A. stronger solution, up to ten per cent, was found super- 

 ior for larger specimens ; the colors are better preserved 

 in solutions as strong or stronger than three to four per 

 cent. 



Experiment 3. A7fiblpsto?na jeJ^ersonia7i,n7uki\\ed with 

 chloroform Mar. 1, put up immediately into two per cent 

 formalin ; at the end of four days it was found to be quite 

 hard, color very slightly changed, costal grooves plainer 

 than in the living animal. The fluid was filtered and was 

 still clear July 1, while the preparation left nothing to be 

 desired. 



Experiment 4. Atnhlystoma tigrinum treated similarly 

 but put into four per cent gave excellent results. So far 

 as appears, for museum, systematic or anatomical pur- ' 

 poses it was no better than specimen in experiment 3. 



Experhnent 5. Amblystoina tigrinum was killed April 

 5, with chloroform and the mucus washed off with water 

 as in experiments 3 and 4 ; it was then placed in equal 

 parts of ninety- five per cent alcohol and two per cent 

 formalin. July 1 the specimen was far superior in ap- 

 pearance and preservation to any that I have ever been able 

 to prepare by means of alcohol alone. I cannot say it is 

 superior to that of experiment 4. 



Other Amphibia and several Reptilia have been pre- 

 served in a water solution of formalin and in alcohol-water 

 formalin with excellent results so far as the time that has 

 elapsed permits of a demonstration. It seems to be the 

 best method for Ophidia. 



Experhnent 6. A tongue of a lion was thoroughly 

 washed in water to remove blood, mucus and dirt and 

 treated February 5 to a five per cent solution of formalin. 



