128 



THE MICROSCOPE. 



[May. 



Poisoning Protoplasm with Quinine. — Qiiinine has been 

 found to destroy ama^boid movement. Qiiinadine has ^ the poi- 

 soning power of quinine. 



To Prepare Lignite. — Macerate in carbonate of potash for 

 several days ; cut thin sections, heat them in a vs^atch-glass until 

 they turn yellow, drop them in cold water, mount in glycerine. 



Transparent Cement. — Take lo drachms gum dammar, 6 

 of gum mastic, 6 of dried Canada balsam, 3 fluid ounces of chloro- 

 form, and the same of turpentine ; shake until dissolved, and 

 filter. 



PVBLICATIONS 



Essentials of Bacteriology. By Dr. M. V. Ball. i2mo, pp. 

 159. Philadelphia: W.B.Saunders. Price, $1.00. 



This is really a valuable little work to any one in any w^alk of 

 life. To the general reader it will give a comprehensive view of 

 a subject of which every reading man has a smattering. Here 

 he will find known and proved facts stated in a concise form 

 which need no special scientific training to ajopreciate. The 

 illustrations of the bacteria are commendable as a rule, those 

 which are colored being specially noteworthy. The microscopist 

 should welcome the little book, as every user of the microscope 

 is sure to meet with bacteria, especially if he study pond life, or 

 make even temporary preparations with water. The busy physi- 

 cian will also find its concise statements advantageous, unless he 

 is an expert in bacteriology, as few practising physicians can be. 

 In a W'Ord, the book is what it pretends to be — the essentials of 

 bacteriology, and the essentials only. 



The author says that the bacteria breathe, eat, and digest, as 

 they certainlv do not in the ordinary acceptation of the words. 

 Would Dr. Ball say that a diatom breathes and eats and digests.^ 

 or that an infusorian breathes and eats } The infusorian swallows 

 food and digests it, but the creature does not eat it. The bacteria 

 and the diatoms absorb oxygen and nutriment, but to teach that 

 they breathe and eat and digest is bad teaching. 



