fj8 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [March, 



concentrated strupous glycerine with finely-powdered litharge to a 

 thick, viscid paste, which may be applied like gypsnm. Glass, metal, 

 and wood all unite under its influence. 



Mounting Stentorsand Spirostomum by the use of Hydroxy- 

 lamine. — Place the objects for ten or fifteen minutes in a 0.35 percent, 

 solution of the hydrochlorate. A large proportion of the animals soon 

 stretch themselves out and remain in the semi-distended condition 

 which free-swimming Stentors usually show. No subsequent contrac- 

 tion occurs. The paralyzing effect of the hydroxylamine is soon ap- 

 parent, but is, however, not sufficiently complete to commence the fix- 

 ing process. The paralysis must first extend to the cilia. After some 

 ten minutes the cilia pf the peristome move irregularly and slower, and 

 finally cease moving altogether. This change must be carefully noted, 

 for at this step the Stentors are suddenly flooded with a concentrated 

 solution of picric acid mixed with a 5 per cent, solution of acetic acid. 

 The majority of the Stentors are now pear-shaped ; a few are distended 

 their full length ; while others have the same round shape ever, at the 

 right moment, the histological details will be preserved. The wStentors 

 may then be washed in alcohol of 70 per cent., and stained in a rose-red 

 solution of borax-carmine in hydrochloric alcohol of 70 per cent. A 

 satisfactory stain will be obtained in about one hour's time. The 

 Stentors being likely to contract if transferred from absolute alcohol 

 directly to the oil of cloves, it is advisable to place them in oil of cloves 

 strongly diluted with absolute alcohol, which latter is allowed to evap- 

 orate. This proceeding nj^ist be followed when mounting the speci- 

 mens in Canada balsam. If all the above-mentioned details are adhered 

 to, better slides will be obtained than have been produced bv any other 

 method.—/. N. T. M. Soc. 



DETECTING CRIME WITH THE MICROSCOPE. 



Examining Garments. — The detection of crime, where stained 

 undergarments are involved, is an important but often a difficult matter. 

 The whole case may turn upon whether or not a stain consists of mere 

 " dirt," or whether it contains the minute zooids derived from the male 

 generative organs. The demonstrating of these organisms may sub- 

 stantiate or it may refute the verbal testimony of witnesses. Any phy- 

 sician is liable to be consulted on this point, and, if a good microsco- 

 pist, to become of great assistance to the court. An experienced worker, 

 Mr. H. Shinier, sends us the following: 



There is probably no better method of preparation than to make 

 thin sections with a sharp razor, after drawing the cloth in the sus- 

 pected spot over a curved surface. The bottom of a teaspoon is very 

 good. With the razor, cut thin sections of the curved cloth, instead of a 

 thin flat section, as of some organic tissues the material crumbles on the 

 razor into a fine powder. Scrape this upon a slide. Mix and distrib- 

 ute it in water. Allow it to dry. It may be examined at any time. 

 The mount will be improved by staining after drying. One grain 

 of eosine to an ounce of alcohol will stain with much satisfaction. 

 Flowing a di'op of the eosine solution over the mount and allowing it 

 to dry brings out the zooids so that they can be seen on the cloth fibres 



