76 THE MICROSCOPE. May 



distressing to me to show an object to any one who simply tells 

 me "Oh how pretty " and nothing more. * * * * i go often 

 wish you were in England and that we could have a good day's 

 work at the microscope. Photography (micro) is made so easy 

 now. to what it used to be when I used to work at it. I have 

 now under the microscope tadpoles and frogs. I love to see 

 their internal economy. Intestines are so beautiful and the eye 

 is like a jewel ; and its pigment and the whole body masses of 

 jewels ; and then the gilJs are a study of circulation. I have 

 examined the tadpoles of toads and tadpoles of Newts." Her 

 statement shows that love and enthusiasm for micrograph ic 

 work does not die out with age and must be very desirable 

 when confined at home by an accident impeding locomotion as 

 Mrs. Spottiswoode was at the time of writing. Dr. Holmes said 

 he was eighty years " young " (not old) and he taught me mi- 

 croscopy. So can Mrs. S. say, " I am seventy years young, kept 

 so by the inspiring and enthusing power of the ideas attained 

 by the use ot the microscope in studying and comprehending 

 the hidden glories of Nature. 



PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS. 



ByL. A. WILI.SON, 



CLEVELAND, OHIO. 



Uncinula necator. — This is the powdery mildew of the 

 grape and is generally known as Uncinula spiralis and in Europe 

 as Oidmni tuckeri. It is easily obtained and makes a beautiful 

 specimen for the microscope. Doubtless, nearly every one has 

 noticed the little cob-webs in the corners and angles of a bunch 

 of grapes. It is almost ever present on grapes kept during the 

 winter. This " cob-web " is the mycelleum and perithecia of 

 the fungus. Take off a small portion Avith forceps, place on 

 a glass slip in a little hydrate of potasium, cover and examine 

 first with an inch and then with a quarter inch objective. The 

 perithecia are round, dark and prettily reticulated ; each has 

 from ten to twelve appendages. These appendages are long 

 and curved at the ends like a shepherd's staff. After softening 

 with the potash solution, press upon the cover. This will split 

 the perithecia and expose the asci. Each ascus contains from 

 four to six round spores. To make an acceptable mount let 



