172 THE MICROSCOPE. 



Harden dental pulp in a one per cent, aqueous solution of 

 chromic acid, separated from the dentine; or take fresh pulp from 

 the extracted tooth, stain with carmine, harden in glycerine to 

 which was added one per cent, acetic acid. In three to six months 

 sections could be cut with a keen razor. — Editor of New E?igland 

 Journal of Dentistry. 



"Among the curiosities recently exhibited by a London Society 

 was the microscope of half a century ago, weighing 125 pounds, and 

 the " Midget," a modern invention, weighing only a few ounces." 

 So says a newspaper. 



Mr. W. K. Kent presented a new live cage for dry objects be- 

 fore the Buffalo club. It consists of a wooden slide, with a cover 

 glass set near one end, and a spring clamp near the middle. In 

 other half slides of different thickness cover glasses were inserted, 

 and these when placed under the spring-clamp, which held them 

 firmly in place, made convenient cells. The advantage in its use 

 was its simplicity and cheapness. Any one could make them. 



Crystals in Plants. — "We may say that almost all plant- 

 crystals are of calcium oxalate. There are crystals of calcium 

 phosphate and tartrate, of potassium oxalate, etc.; but they are dis- 

 tinguished by their solubility in water or in acetic acid. All plant 

 crystals insoluble in water and acetic acid, and soluble in mineral 

 acids, are composed of calcium oxalate. There are no crystals of 

 calcium carbonate or sulphate in plants." — Dr. A. Poll. 



Trichina in Adipose Tissue. — Contrary to the commonly 

 accepted idea that trichinae inhabit only muscular tissue, the Laficet 

 says that Chatin has found them in adipose tissue. That he did not 

 mistake them, is evidenced by the coexistence of the same parasite 

 in the muscular tissue of the same subject. Experiments proved 

 that animals fed with trichinous fat exhibited no indications of 

 trichinosis, while others fed with the flesh from the same infected 

 animal quickly suffered and died with symptoms of intestinal 

 trichinosis; although further observations on the comparative in- 

 nocuity of the fat must be made before the fact can be regarded as 

 of hygienic importance. The practical value of the discovery at 

 present seems to be that the fat, as well as the flesh, of suspected 

 animals should be examined. — Medical and Surgical Reporter. 



