1901] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 235 
rant’s solution; (b) picro-carmine and Canada balsam; 
(c) picro-carmine, followed by water acidulated with picric 
acid, a few drops being placed in a watch-glass of water. 
The results vary, and it is wortl noting which come out 
best. Treble staining has a great future, and the extra 
trouble is well repaid. I have for some time worked at 
the latter, and find that a most beautiful combination to 
use is a weak solution of the carmine, ten drops ina 
watch-glass of water, followed by rosaniline, and finally 
by gentian violet.—T7. P. Thomson. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
CoAL SECTIONS BLEACHED.—In reply to query on page 
120, Dr. W. G. Reed sends us the following: 
“The coal is macerated for about a week in a solution 
of potash ; at the end of that time it is possible to cut 
tolerably thin slices with a razor. These slices are then 
placed in a watch-glass with strong nitric acid, covered 
and gently heated; they soon turn brownish, then yellow, 
when the process must be arrested by dropping the whole 
into a saucer of cold water, else the coal would be dis- 
solved. The slices thus treated appear of a darkish amber 
color, very transparent, and exhibit the structure, when 
existing, most clearly. We have obtained longitudinal 
and transverse sections of coniferous wood from various 
coals in this way. The specimens are best preserved in 
glycerine in cells; we find that spirit renders them opaque 
and even Canada balsam has the same defect.”—Micrc- 
graphic Dictionary. 
NEcRoLOGY.—Hans M. Wilder who was born in Iceland, 
in March, 1831, died in Philadelphia, January 25, 1901. 
An appreciative notice of him is published in the “ Ameri- 
ean Jourpval Phar.,’ August, 1901. Mr. Wilder was a 
contributor to our work and known to some microscopists. 
FrestTivaAt.—The Natural History Society of Neurem- 
