74 PRACTICAL HISTOLOGY [x 



of salt solution on a cover-slip, and cover ; this must 

 be done before the tissue becomes dry. Examine 



(h. P .). 



The tissue is chiefly composed of white fibres having 

 a wavy course, and more or less distinct fibrillation; 

 the bundles are of unequal size and run across one 

 another in all directions. Some small elastic fibres 

 running singly will also be seen, their outlines are 

 more distinct than those of the bundles of white fibres ; 

 they branch and anastomose freely with one another. 

 Where the film is well stretched the elastic fibres run 

 for the most part quite straight, elsewhere they are 

 curled at their ends and have a more or less sinuous 

 course. Irrigate with acetic acid (1 to 5 p.c.), the 

 white fibres swell up, and the elastic network becomes 

 distinct. 



9. Moist film fixed with alcohol and stained. 



Prepare a moist film of connective tissue as in 8. 

 When it is extended, and before it becomes dry, place 

 the cover-slip with the film in 95 p.c. alcohol. Leave 

 for a quarter of an hour or longer. Hold it for a minute 

 in a saturated solution of methylene blue in 75 p.c. 

 alcohol, dip it in 75 p.c. alcohol, place it at once on 

 blotting-paper film upwards; and lightly press it two or 

 three times with blotting-paper so as to rapidly remove 

 the alcohol. Leave it for 5 or 10 minute till it is dry 1 

 then add a small drop of balsam and mount. Note (first 

 l.p. then h.p.) the rather large cells, oval or somewhat 



1 The tissue in this case is allowed to become dry because the 

 alcohol rapidly removes the stain, in other cases the tissue should be 

 passed through alcohols and a clearing agent in the usual way. 



