242 THE MICROSCOPE. 



blue ; Lairs, pale magenta. It is almost needless to 

 add that both time and patience are required to attain 

 perfection in double staining. 



Those, however, who, from want of time, cannot 

 follow out the details of the several processes should 

 pay a visit to the laboratory of the Messrs. Cole. 1 

 There they will find a large and choice selection of 

 specimens of animal and vegetable tissues, and which, 

 for perfection in staining, cutting and mounting, can- 

 not be surpassed. 



The staining of vegetable tissues will give increased 

 interest to the study of botanical histology ; the student 

 in this way will obtain an insight into structure such 

 as can be secured by no other means. 



The staining fluids most successfully employed by 

 Mr. Gilburt 3 for staining sections of woods and plants 

 blue and red by the aniline dyes are prepared as fol- 

 lows : 



Magenta crystals . gr. J in ") -^ j 

 Alcohol ... loz. ) 

 Then Nicholson's soluble ~) 



pure blue . . . gr. in / 

 Alcohol . . 1 oz., to f L 



which has been added acid nitric 4 drops ) 



Both solutions should be filtered. 



For use take 2 parts of the blue and add it to 7 parts 

 of the magenta, and thoroughly mix. 



Place the section in the mixture for about a minute, 

 then remove it to absolute alcohol, from that to oil of 

 cloves or benzole, and finally mount in balsam and 

 benzole. 



To fix the magenta it is necessary to pass the sections 

 through benzole. 



As a preparation for staining, all tissues should be 

 "bleached. This is effected in the case of soft vege- 

 table stems in alcohol; the use of which, although 



(1) Arthur Cole and Son, 53, Oxford Gardens, Netting Hill, TV., are 

 engaged in the publication of " Studies in Microscopical Science," that is, 

 prepared specimens of typical objects beautifully stained, and drawings of 

 the samfl, with directions for staining and preparing sections for the micro- 

 scope. T commend these Studies to the notice of students and teachers. 



<2) Journal of the Quekett Microscopical Club. 



