1895.] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. • 123 



his work some records on the preparation of all the groups of 

 fresh-water Algse. This technichal review will therefore be of 

 the greatest utility to all those who occupy themselves with 

 Algology. We can assure them that the methods indicated by 

 the author are excellent and that the preparations obtained in 

 following them are irreprochable. We have had occasion to 

 admire several of them. 



The lists, especially, ought to be found on the desk of every 

 algologist. — Translated from ^'Societe Beige de Microscopie^^ by Rene 

 Samson. 



Off-hand Staining. — Vegetable sections may be almost in- 

 stantly double-stained by pouring into a watch glass, placed for 

 easy inspection on a sheet of white paper, about half a teaspoon- 

 ful of ammonia-carmine solution and stirring in a drop or less 

 of aniline green solution which has been taken up on the blade 

 used for lifting sections. Both solutions should be of a strength 

 suitable for single staining, and the mixture may be tested by 

 touching a piece of white blotting paper with the wet tool, which 

 should produce a broad red stain with a minute nucleus of 

 bright green in the center. The accidental production of such 

 a spot, years ago, suggested to me the use of the solutions mix- 

 ed, instead of separately in succession, as formerly done. A sec- 

 tion dipped in this solution will be sufficiently stained in a few 

 seconds, the different tissues taking the different colors very 

 distinctly. Then remove the specimen and, without putting it 

 in water, draw off the excess of staining fluid with blotting paper, 

 then float and dabble quickly in alcohol and draw off excess, 

 float in clove oil and mount in balsam or dammar. Unbleached 

 sections may be used if not too opaque, but the most brilliant 

 effects are gained after bleaching. — F. Ritchie in P. M. Club. 



Sections of the Cerebellum are unexcelled in beauty if 

 stained as follows : 1. Harden small pieces in Miller's fluid for 

 six to eight weeks. 2. Transfer directly to alcohol without rins- 

 ing in water. 3. Imbed in celloidin and cut sections. 4. Stain 

 these for twenty-four hours in hematoxylin 1 pt., alcohol 10 pts., 

 water 90 pts. 5, Rinse in water and bleach in borax 2 pts., 

 water 100 pts., from one-half hour to several hours, until the 

 gray substance is yellowish, the white substance remaining 

 black. 6. Wash in water, pass through alcohol, clarify in xylol, 

 or clove oil, and mount in balsam. The most beautiful and 



