1893.] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 253 



Cells. — This method is insufficient for the study of the con- 

 nective tissue cells. Beautiful preparations of the anastomosing 

 prolongations of the cells may be made by injecting, as described, 

 a mixture of 1 per cent solution of eosin in the i alcohol. Place 

 a small piece on a slide, add a drop of glycerine slightly tinged 

 with eosin, and subject it to gentle pressure with a needle. It 

 should be examined with a wide angled objective. 



In the connective tissue which forms the frame-work of or- 

 gans, besides the foregoing flat cells, there are special elements 

 called by Erlich granulation cells or plasmatic cells. To ob- 

 serve these proceed thus. The tongue of the frog (where the 

 cells are abundant), the epithelium being scraped off, is put in 

 strong, iilcphol for 24 hours, after spreading it out on a piece of 

 glass. Then transfer to the following, for 24 hours : Absolute 

 alcohol, 50 c. c; glacial acetic acid, 12 grms., ; distilled water) 

 100 grms.; dahlia, enough almost to saturate the solution. Wash 

 in alcohol for a few minutes and mount in balsam. All the ele- 

 ments are colorless except Erlich's cells whose protoplasm is 

 stained an intense violet white, the nucleus is not colored. 



The elastic fibres in the connective tissue of organs may be 

 studied in sections of the skin. , . A section, strongly colored 

 on the slide by eosin in alcohol or in water, is treated by a 40 

 per cent solution of caustic potash. Cover and examine in the 

 potash solution. The elastic fibres alone keep the rose color. . . 



ADIPOSE TISSUE. 



After an injection into the subcutaneous tissue of nitrate of 

 silver, 1 part to water 1000 parts, we take shreds of tissue in 

 which to study the constituent elements of the adipose cells. 

 The membrane surrounding the nucleus, the protoplasm and 

 the fat are very apparent. ... To dissociate the adipose tissue, 

 {)lace pieces of it to soak in ether. In an hour or two the fat 

 will be dissolved, and the membranes enveloping the vesicles 

 can be seen fallen together and wrinkled so that their presence 

 can be readily proved. . . , In these tissues after death, we find, 

 at the center of each vesicle, not a liquid drop, as in life, but a 

 collection of crystalline needles imperfectly rosette-shaped, and 

 these appear to be crystals of margarine 



Osmic acid and quinoline blue should be used as stains. 

 Osmic acid colors fat a deep brown, black if the action is i)ro- 

 longed. This is characteristic. Fat cells in the marrow of 



