108 The Microscope. 



the glass. So, according to the amount of exposure to the tinction, 

 when not carried so far as to color the whole body of the germ, we 

 have more or less visible coloring of the capsule, which can only be 

 seen when we look through a considerable extent of substance, that 

 is, on the sides of the object. 



Again we may see two or three objects united together, all pre- 

 senting the normal characteristics of full maturity. I have never 

 seen more than three of these germs connected together (fig. 2). 



PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES 



POSTAL MICROSCOPIAL CLUB. 



OWING to a frivolous " legal objection," by the postal authori- 

 ties, to the very modest form of sending the mailing boxes in 

 their different circuits, much delay has been occasioned and many 

 have been disappointed at the non-appearance of the ever- welcome 

 and always interesting slides. 



We have just received two boxes containing slides of peculiar 

 interest. Box 37 contains a series that proves very interesting. The 

 six slides were contributed by Mr. Jno. Kruttschnitt, of New Orleans, 

 and represents the tea plant as grown in Louisiana. Slide No. 1 

 consists of transverse and longitudinal sections of flower stem. Slide 

 No. 2, sections and cuticle of leaf. Slide No. 3, section of the ovary. 

 No. 4, the epicarp. Slide No. 5 shows the seed capsule very clearly. 

 Slide No. 6 shows sections of the cotyledon and epicarp. 



This interesting series of specimens have been treated as 

 follows : Cleared in a solution of caustic soda, bleached in chlorinated 

 soda and stained with violet and aniline, then mounted in chloro- 

 formed camphor-water. 



ST. LOUIS CLUB OF MICROSCOPISTS. 



A T the meeting held in February, it was decided to give the 

 ■^ ^ students of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy a soiree, 

 Tuesday evening, March 13th. 



Frank Davis reported his investigation of ground spices from 

 grocery stores. Some of the black pepper was adulterated with coal 

 dust. Allspice was shown that contained a large proportion of 

 " shipstuff." Mr. Davis will continue the investigation for a future 

 meeting. 



