1889.] MICROSCOPICAL JOUKNAL. Ill 



whose future career will require command over this instrument should 

 commence with the study under the microscope of vegetable anatomy." 

 The following items from the catalogue will give some idea of the 

 objects prepared : 



3. Orchid leaf. Fibro spiral cells. 



4. Elder pith. Pitted parenchyma. 

 19. Yew. Isolated wood cells. 



2i. Cinchona bark. Thickened bast cells fusiform. 



27. Brake fern. Scalariform vessels. 



53. Pampas grass. Closed vescular bundles. 



59. Ivy. Resin cells. 



73. Horse chestnut. Petiole. Sphoeraphides. 



75. Mistletoe. Thickened cuticle cells. 



99. Eucalyptus. Oil glands in leaf. 

 134. Begonia. • Axile placentation. 

 161. Wheat. Starch. 



In many cases the objects have been stained, either singly or doubly, 

 and some stained three years ago have not faded. Their very low cost 

 commends them to every student of biology or collector of microscopic 

 objects. The polariscope assists in bringing out the details of struc- 

 ture. 



They may be mounted in either resinous media (damar, benzol- 

 balsam) , or glycerine, or glycerine jelly, the former being the easier 

 for a beginner to manage, while the latter, though more trouble, shows 

 structure better. It is well to have the same object mounted in both 

 ways. 



Mr. White's instructions for mounting are as follows : 



" Carefully separate the enclosing films, and remove the object. If 

 for resinous media, soak in spirit of turpentine till clear, rinse in afresh 

 portion of the same, then drain, transfer to the cover or slide, and finish 

 in the usual way. For glycerine : If the object be oily, first wash out 

 the oil with strong methylated spirit till clear, transfer to a mixture of 

 glycerine and water, equal parts, in which let it remain an hour or two, 

 then mount. 



" Minute objects, such as isolated cells, should be transferred on the 

 point of a scalpel to a slide (or cover), and separated with a needle in 

 a drop of spirit ; then, if for glycerine, mount while still moist ; but if 

 for resinous media, allow to dry, then moisten with a drop of turpen- 

 tine before applying the medium. Spiral and other vessels, and long 

 fibre cells, which mat together, should be soaked in a drop of weak 

 spirit, and a few of the most perfect picked out under a simple lens." 



Professor Seaman was the first in this country to import samples of 

 White's preparations. He tells us that he can recommend them without 

 qualification. A Boston friend who sent for 10 as specimens immedi- 

 ately wrote back : " The preparations received are exceptionally good. 

 I enclose $5, for which select and send me a large assortment." 



Another writer says : " The sections are much better than I looked 

 for at the price. They are very good. Please send me 20 more." 



The orders sent in during March and April twice exhausted our sup- 

 ply, but all have now been supplied. If any have failed to receive their 

 quota they should make it known. Mr. White has been extremely 

 gratified with the more than cordial reception his work has met with 

 in America. 



