ON COLLECTING OBJECTS. 95 



I have tried this method extensively, and have never found my 

 specimens spoiled by the varnish insinuating itself into the cell. This 

 process requires less time, and herein it possesses another great advan- 

 tage over the gold-size method ; for the second coat being applied within 

 half an hour, the risk of admitting air into the cell is much diminished. 

 To preserve the brush in a fit state, it should always be cleaned with 

 spirits of wine whenever it has been used. 



The fluid which Mr. Topping uses for mounting consists of one 

 ounce of rectified spirit to five ounces of distilled water ; this he thinks 

 superior to any other combination. To preserve delicate colours, how- 

 ever, he prefers to use a solution of acetate of alumina, one ounce 

 of the acetate to four ounces of distilled water : of other solutions he 

 says, that they tend to destroy the colouring matter of delicate objects, 

 and ultimately spoil them by rendering them opaque. 



ON COLLECTING OBJECTS. 



The following hints for collecting objects for microscopical exami- 

 nation, by G, Shadbolt, Esq., are exceedingly useful and valuable to 

 the microscopist. 



" Having procured a good microscope, it is often a source of per- 

 plexity to the novice to obtain a sufficient supply of objects on which 

 to exercise his powers. 



Rivers, brooks, springs, fountains, ponds, marshes, bogs, and rocks 

 by the sea-side, are all localities that may be expected to be produc- 

 tive ; some being more prolific than others, and the species obtained 

 differing, of course, in general, to a certain extent, according to the 

 habitat. 



On considering the nature of some of the places indicated, it 

 will be apparent that, in order to spend a day in collecting with 

 any comfort, it will be necessary to make some provision for keeping 

 the feet dry, for which a pair of India-rubber goloshes will answer, or 

 better still, a pair of waterproof fishing-boots ; but without one or other 

 the work is by no means pleasant. 



A dozen or two of small bottles made of glass-tubing, about half 

 an inch in diameter, and without necks, and from one to two inches 

 in length, are the most convenient depositories for the specimens, if in- 

 tended ultimately for mounting ; and it is advisable also to take two or 

 three wide-mouthed bottles of a larger size, holding from one to two 

 fluid-ounces, an old iron spoon, a tin box, some pieces of linen or ca- 

 lico, two or three inches square, a piece of string, a slip or two of 



