1888.] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 35 



described the kinds of anilines most employed, and the solutions used — wat- 

 ery solutions made from alcoholic solutions are generally useful. In most 

 instances, however, alkalies or aniline oil are added to the solutions to increase 

 the staining power. 



It has been customary to overstain tissues and then remove the stain in part 

 with the aid of, solvents or destroyers of the staining agent. The most im- 

 portant are acetic acid, iodine, and nitric acid. A detailed account w^as given 

 of several methods which are of special value, such as the one proposed by 

 Gram and the one which is employed to differentiate tubercle bacilli. The 

 methods for demonstrating and differentiating bacteria are being constantly 

 improved, and a large mass of literature has already accumulated on this 

 subject. 



MICROSCOPICAL TECHNIQUE. 



The Bastin-Bullock Microscope is the name of a new instrument de- 

 scribed in the December number of the Western Druggist. It is designed 

 by Professor Bastin especially for the needs of pharmacognosists. The in- 

 strument is tompact with a hinge joint at the base of the stage, coarse adjust- 

 ment by tube sliding in a sleeve, screw fine adjustment, all the parts of brass 

 except the iron tripod base. It is furnished for $35 with | or \ inch 

 objective, or $30 with same objectives of American make. This instrument 

 has been designed for use in a course in vegetable histology which the editor 

 of the Western Dr?iggist announces to be begun in January. 



EDITORIAL. 



Practical courses. — Very commonly now-a-days, and as properly, the 

 scientific journals are publishing nice elementary courses of stud}' upon the 

 outline plan introduced by Prof. Huxley and since adopted by numerous text- 

 book wa-iters. We have already referred to some of these courses, and with 

 the new year others are appearing. Prof. E. L. Bastin, the author of a work 

 of unusual merit* upon botany, begins, in the Western Druggist ., a series 

 upon vegetable histology. These practical and easily-followed studies are 

 upon the vegetable cells of the onion. The first study of the series, we are 

 glad to see, gives a good share of attention to microscopic investigation, a 

 subject which is far more important than microscopical technique. Two of 

 the editors of The Microscope have also initiated courses of direction for 

 practical study. These are conducted by Dr. Manton and Dr. Brown — the 

 one in 'Embryology' (animal), the other in 'Animal Histology.' We re- 

 ceive frequent queries from those who would gladly use their microscopes 

 for their own interest and the profit of science and who want to know how 

 to go to work. Svu'ely with these three lines of direction before us, and with 

 such books as Dr. Stokes' Microscop)' for Beginners, and others, every one 

 can find something to fit his case and to interest him in the modes of work. 

 In. our next issue we shall invite beginners to a study of the yeast plant. 



To the American Society of Microscopists. — This and other micro- 

 scopical societies might very properly be united for action, which would 



* See this Journal, vol. viii, p. 139. 



