240 THE MICROSCOPE. [December, 



thing can exist in tlie Great Salt Lake. The perpetuation of this 

 error is inexcusable. It is true, but very few species of animal 

 life have been found in the concentrated brine of the lake, but 

 some of these species there abound. Among the forms of life 

 already reported as existing in the lake I have confirmed the 

 presence of four : (i) the Artemia fertilis (Verrill) ; (2) the 

 larvte of one of the Tipulidse, probably Chi7'ono7nus oceanicus 

 (Pack) ; (3) a species of Corixa, probably Corixa decoloi' 

 (Uhler) ; (4) larvae and pupag of a fly, Ephydra gracilis (Pack) . 

 Of the last-named insect the larvae are found in numbers near the 

 shore, and the pupa cases in the spring and summer wash ashore 

 in great numbers ; there they accumulate, undergoing decomposi- 

 tion with powerfully odorous emanations. 



Much has been said at different times as to the possibility of 

 adapting fish to a life in the lake. In the absence of all experi- 

 ment it would be rash to conjecture, though it would seem 

 unlikely that fish could thrive in such a brine ; but the fear 

 expressed by some, that even if fish could be accustomed to the 

 lake they would starve, is unfounded : for certainly the food supply 

 is abundant. The vegetable life of the lake is a subject w^orthy of 

 investigation and one which at present is practically untouched. 

 — JFro77i A77ie?'ica7i \Io7ithly JMici'oscopical your7ial^ Deccfnber^ 

 i8g2. 



^'department 



QUERIES AND ANSWERS. 



Questions of all sorts relating to microscopy will be received by the publisher and re/erred 

 to Dr. S. G. Shanks, of Albany, N. Y., whose replies willbegivenin this department. Each 

 question is nu7nbered for future reference. 



122. CaTi leaves a7id Jiowers of S77iall plarits be mounted e7t- 

 tire aTzd show cells , etc. ? 



Few leaves are thin enough to show structure when mounted 

 entire. Harden the leaves in alcohol ; this will also bleach them ; 

 place them in absolute alcohol, then in oil of cloves, thence to 

 balsam on a slip. Leaves may be stained with haematoxylin or 

 carmine before placing them in absolute alcohol. Fern leaves or 

 fronds show fairly well mounted in this manner. 



