222 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [Aug., 



of note who do not exhibit are Crouch and Swift of London, 

 and Klonne and Mueller of Berlin, so that the foreign represen- 

 tation as a whole is very complete. 



In order to bring together microscopists and microscopes, and 

 promote discussion and acquaintance, the members of the sec 

 tion of microscopy of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, form- 

 erly the Illinois State Microscopical Societ}', have made an ex- 

 hibit, where they have on exhibition not only specimens of the 

 leading kinds of microsco})es, but a large number of mounted 

 objects and'photo-micrographs made by their members. De- 

 monstrations of methods of mounting, and instruction in the 

 use of the microscope and testing of lenses are given every other 

 day by experts, and the exhibit which is in section E of the 

 North gallery of the Liberal Arts Building next to the Bausch 

 and Lomb disjilay, is designed for headquarters for all inter- 

 ested in microscopy, when attending the Fair. 



Diatoms. — H. L. Smith, LL. D., of Hobart College, our 

 best known authority on diatomacese has sold to Dr. F. E. Hod- 

 ges, F. R. M. S., of Indianapoli-?, Ind., his entire library on that 

 subject, his collection of thousands of valuable slides, more 

 than 4000 bottles of cleaned diatoms; also, all of the large col- 

 lection of diatomaceous earths without making any reserve. 



A Method of Mounting Peritheciaof Erysiphe. — Remove 

 the perithecia with a spatula and place them in the center of 

 the slide. Cover them with hydrate of potash and let them soak 

 for a few minutes. Then press them with a cover-glass and 

 partially squeeze out the asci. Wash out the potash solution 

 with a few drops of alcohol. Then flood with eosin. Wash out 

 the eosin with sufiicient alcohol. Then mount in benzole 

 balsam. You will have a beautiful slide showing anceptacles, 

 asci and spores. The spores will take the deepest stain and 

 will stand out prominently. 



How to Produce Pretty Crystals of Borax. — Make a sat- 

 urated aqueous solution of borax. Place a drop of this solution 

 on the center of the slide. Set the slide on a window-sill where 

 the draft will affect the slide. Let the preparation stand uutil 

 the massis crystalized. Beautiful crystals suitable for an inch 

 objective will be formed. 



