1874.] Notices of Books. 253 
material. The manuscript was also submitted to Mr. T. Charters 
White, late secretary of the Quekett Microscopical Club, who .- 
made several valuable additions. 
The book commences with an introductory chapter by the 
editor, containing an account derived from various sources of 
reagents used in histological inquiries; this will be of especial 
value to those commencing the study of minute anatomy. The 
original beginning of the work now forms chapter ii., which, 
under the title of ‘“‘ Apparatus,” treats upon the materials used 
in mounting objects, such as glass slides, covers, and the other 
necessaries of the microscopist’s work-table ; it is here, as else- 
where, evident that the writer has seen and done everything that 
he describes. 
The chapter on ‘‘ Dry Mounting,” in addition to what might 
fairly be expected on the subject, gives a somewhat detailed 
account of such objects as require special treatment before 
mounting in this manner, such as the collection, preparation, 
and cleaning of Diatomacee the mode of treating deep-sea 
soundings, both of which subjects are very fully treated, and 
much other valuable information. 
In the portion devoted to ‘‘Balsam Mounting” some useful 
hints are given respecting the preparation of crystals. 
The much disputed matter of ‘Fluid Mounting” is very fully 
dealt with, the author not only giving his own experience but 
also that of many other eminent microscopists. The chapter on 
dissection will prove useful to those interested in the subject, 
and to the same class of students the very full account of the 
processes of injecting and staining tissues will be welcome. 
” 
’ 
Half-Hours with the Microscope. Being a Popular Guide to the 
Use of the Microscope as a means of Amusement: and 
Instruction. By Epwrin LanxesTeErR, M.D. Illustrated from 
Nature by TuFFEN West. New edition, with a chapter on 
the Polariscope, by F. Kirron. London: Robert Hard- 
wicke. 1873. 
THE principal new feature in this edition is the chapter on the 
Polariscope, a subject generally avoided by writers on the micro- 
scope; and as a natural consequence this valuable aid to 
histological researches is, in too many instances, looked upon 
as a mere toy: the few pages by Mr. Kitton will be a great help 
to those needing information respecting the use of their 
polarising apparatus. The ‘“half-hours” are, ‘‘On the Structure 
of the Microscope,” ‘‘ With the Microscope in the Garden,” 
“In the Country,” ‘‘At the Pond Side,” ‘At the Sea-Side,” 
“Indoors,” and ‘‘On Polarised Light.” The work will be, as 
was the former edition, of great service in guiding young 
microscopists as to where they are to look for employment for 
VOL. IV. (N.S.) 2K 
