The Microscope. 73 



FIXING SECTIONS. 



H. E. SUMMERS, CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 



' I ^HE method of fixing sections to the slide, as given by me in 

 ■'• The Microscope for March, 1886, has been found to be need- 

 lessly complicated when used for celloidin sections. The following 

 simpler method is recommended. 



Place the sections in Wo per cent, alcohol for a minute or two, 

 arrange on the slide, drain off the superflous alcohol by tipping the 

 slide, and then pour over the sections sulphuric ether vapor, from a 

 bottle partly full of liquid ether. The celloidin will immediately 

 soften and become perfectly transparent. Place the slide in 80 per 

 cent, alcohol, or even directly into 95 per cent, if desired. The sec- 

 tions will be found to be firmly fixed and may then be stained, 

 cleared, etc. 



PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES 



THE KANSAS CITY SOCIETY OP MECROSCOPISTS. 



THE monthly meeting of the society was held Feb. 9th, Dr. F. 

 B. Tiffany presiding. 

 Dr. J. H. Duncan gave an address upon " The Hair," tracing 

 its development from the hair follicle to its completed growth and 

 gray old age. Numerous mounted specimens were exhibited by 

 means of the microscope and stereopticon. 



Dr. Le Roy Dibble read a paper on "The Cell," giving the 

 history of investigation upon this subject, and illustrated the typical 

 forms of cells by specimens personally prepared. 

 The working spirit of the society is growing. 

 Topics for March 9fch are: "Fungi," by Mrs. O. E. F. Tiffany, 

 and "The Microbe," by Mr. L. G. Shepard. 



F. A. HoLTON, Secretary. 



SAN FRANCISCO MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. 



THE regular semi-monthly meeting of this society of microsco- 

 pists was held January 12, at their rooms 120 Sutter street. 

 Dr. Mouser in the chair. 



Mr. Howard reported that the sample of supposed diatomaceous 

 material from Arizona, which was recently referred to him for exami- 

 nation, had proved very refractory, and had so far resisted all his 

 efforts to separate out the contained organisms. Quite a discussion 



