1901] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 221 
and examine with a lens. Any tips or branches of the 
frond that we see have fruit, and any of the smaller algae 
we will examine under the microscope by floating them 
on to a glass slip, 3 in. by 1 in.; the larger mass we will 
float out on paper as an herbarium specimen. Having 
detected those pieces bearing reproductive organs, etc., 
which we desire to mount as microscopic objects, we 
place them in a saucer with clean fresh water, and after 
a few minutes float a portion on to an ordinary 3 in. by 
1 in. slip, and after removing it from the water we dry 
it with a linen rag, wiping off the water, and witha 
piece of blotting-paper soak out all the water we can 
from the algae. Have ready your clean cover-glasses and 
medium. 
Now you can gently warm the slip with the piece of 
algae on it, and put a drop of the medium on to it; then, 
again warming the slip and cover-glass, place the latter 
carefully on to the object, tilting it on so as to drive out 
any bubbJes. Lay the slide by for a few hours until the 
medium is set (it may remain several days); then, if 
satisfactorily done, clean off all the superfluous medium 
with sponge and warm water, ring it first with gold size 
and then with white zinc cement, finish with a named 
label, and we have a slide worthy of a place in any one’s’ 
cabinet. 
I have always found Deane’s medium to be the best for 
preserving the color and structure of the cells. It is 
made as follows :—Gelatine, 1 oz.; honey, 5 oz. ; water, 
_ 6 oz. ; rectified spirit, 4 oz.; creosote, 6 drops. Soak the 
gelatine in the water until soft, add the honey, then boil 
the mixture. When it has cooled somewhat, the creosote 
mixed with the spirits is added. Lastly, filter through 
fine flannel. The medium is used warm. I have tried 
glycerine jelly, and discarded it on account of its dissolv- 
ing all the color out of the algae. Canada balsam is 
useless, as the object must be dried, thus shrinking and 
