1896.] 3IICR0SC0PICAL JOURNAL. 9 



solution of sea salt and water until the whole apparatus 

 is sterilized. 



After some minutes boiling and while the steam is 

 passing off abundantly, close the tube with a cork which 

 has been previously coated with vaseline and sterilized 

 by a vapor bath. Then take it quickly from the salt 

 water. 



Now place the tube upon a little support in an in- 

 clined position with the mouth down and solidify the gel- 

 atine with cold water. 



When ready to fertilize the tube, attach the small tube, 

 by means of a rubber piping, thoroughly sterilized, to 

 the tube of a bell glass filled with hydrogen ; then with 

 the pincers break off the closed end. The tube being 

 filled with hydrogen, pinch the rubber tube, detach the 

 bell glass, and quickly close the rubber tube with a glass 

 stopper which has been carefully sterilized. 



To fertilize the gelatine, remove carefully the ground 

 glass, cork and introduce the culture by picking with a 

 platinum wire, being careful not to penetrate below the 

 upper film of gelatine, and then close the tube with the 

 stopper. 



Suggestions Regarding Microscopical Societies. 



BY V. A. LATHAM, 



CHICAGO, ILL. 



Regarding membership in Societies, I am of opinion 

 many people join for the sake of the name and care noth- 

 ing for the work. At the present time the vital question is: 

 how shall we make our Society a successful one? That 

 something ought to be done is certain — but how ? Speak- 

 ing generally of scientific societies in all parts and in all 

 branches, I would state that they require a thorough 

 turning out and a new start. The meetings are not such 



