184 The Microscope. 



In the above remarks we have indicated a few of the modern 

 methods of embedding objects for the microtome. If we consider 

 that the condition of tissues pictured under the microscope 

 depends wholly upon the methods by which such tissues have been 

 previously handled, the very great importance of skillful manipu- 

 lation and suitable material in this department of our technology 

 (embedding) becomes at once apparent, and while methods of 

 tinction and accurate section cutting are of exceeding moment, upon 

 the previous hardening and embedding of the specimen depends 

 whether we shall see shrunken and distorted elements, or tissues^ 

 comparatively, as they appear in life. 



The many friends of Mrs. Louisa Reed Stowell, the distin- 

 guished microscopist, and formerly associate editor of The 

 Microscope, will be glad to know that she is recuperating from her 

 recent sudden and serious illness. 



Acknowledgments. — From Mrs. R. F. Bingham, Santa Bar- 

 bara, Cal., Arachnoidiscus Ehrenbergii on algae ; from M. H. Alter, 

 Los Angeles, Cal., Isthmia nervosa, and diatomaceous earth ; from 

 A. Cheseborough, specimens of guana ; from Dr. W. F. Boggess, 

 slide of hypertrophied pituitary body. 



TECHNOLOGY. 



A NOVEL METHOD FOR COLLECTING DIATOMS. 



TN an interesting article in the Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical 

 -*■ Club, Mr. C Henry Kain discusses the "Diatoms of Atlantic 

 City and Vicinity." Speaking of the bright brown patches of 

 diatoms frequently seen covering the surface of mud, he 

 recommends that they be collected in the following manner : Half 

 fill a bottle with water. Touch one of these brown patches lightly 

 with the tip of the finger, and the diatoms will adhere ; then place 

 the finger over the mouth of the bottle and shake. The diatoms 

 are, of course, washed off and remain. By repeating this process 

 again and again, the water finally becomes quite brown. By the 

 time the collector reaches home the diatoms will have settled to the 



