398 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [Dec. 



dry material, but upon fresh vegetation (after hardening in 

 alcohol) and furnishes an excellent agent for differentiating 

 the tannin sheaths and the contents of the sieve-tubes. — Na- 

 tional Druggist. 



Formalose. — This drug is guaranteed 40 per cent, solution 

 of chemically pure formaldehyd in water. It is a perfect anti- 

 septic Germicide Disinfectant, Deodorizer and Preservative. 



Formalose is possessed of an extraordinary power of micro- 

 bicide, similar to that of corrosive sublimate, though exhibit- 

 ing none of its toxicity. It has the peculiar property of attack- 

 ing only the contagious material. 



As a preserving and hardening agent for bacteriological, his- 

 tological and biological purposes it is of greatest value. Ani- 

 mal objects and sections are hardened without brittleness, 

 shrinkage, loss of color, or of microscopical structure, nor do 

 their staining properties suffer. The eyes, remain large and 

 clearer than in alcohol, and the mucus of slime paoducing ani- 

 mals is not coagulated and remains transparent. Plant struct- 

 ures and most fruits keep well, and microscopical sections of 

 plants that have been in formalose for a long time give fine pre- 

 parations. 



Formalose has the peculiar property of rendering solid, gela- 

 tin that has become fluidified by bacterial products. Gelatin, 

 or even gelatin fluidified by bacteria, under the action of Forma- 

 lose becomes hardened to such an extent that it is rendered in- 

 capable of liquefaction by heat. Bacterial cultures of the most 

 active character are completely arrested by the action of For- 

 malose, or the Formalose vapor. 



For the preservation of specimens, Formalose is the ideal me- 

 dium ; used in highly diluted form it is superior to alcohol at a 

 considerably smaller cost. As an antiseptic it is used in the 

 proportion of from 2 per cent, to one mille, and being non-toxic, 

 inodorous and without ill effects on clothes, or on textile fabrics, 

 it is a perfect deodorizer and disinfectant for the hospital and 

 sick room. 



It is sold by Richards and Co., limited, New York, and Chi- 

 cago. 



