720 Queries. 
enough to give me the benefit of their advice ; whether I should 
purchase a single dissecting microscope, such as I see advertised 
by Aylward, of Manchester, or one by Henslow, at 15/-, and learn 
to work with the various fluids required, or should I purchase one 
at £3 10s. or £4, or a better one still, seeing not much is 
allowed for second-hand articles; and what is the difference 
among the various names, as scientist’s, student’s, histological, 
achromatic, and so on, or if by purchasing one at £4, or so, could 
the more expensive articles be fitted to it when I have more 
experience? This is a rather long question, but a few short 
answers would be gladly accepted from a practical man. Re CG: 
373.—Noctiluca Miliaris.—Has it been proved conclusively 
that Noctiluca possesses an anal orifice, and if so, by what authors? 
OcToPus. 
374.—Eye of the Cat.—Are the muscles which control the 
contraction and retraction of the pupil voluntary or involuntary ? 
B. E. M. 
375.—Amputation of the Leg.—Will some of your readers, 
versed in physiology, explain how it is that the patient complains 
of pain in the limb when it is removed ? C., Ha i 
376.—Neophytes.— What are the most distinguishing character- 
istics to a neophyte in physiology between fossil wood and fossil 
bone, as in some geological formations they closely resemble each 
other ? PE. Seas 
377.—Crystals.—Can any one kindly inform me what are the 
uses of plant crystals and raphides in the cells of plants; those of 
oxalate of lime, for instance, in the root of the medicinal 
rhubarb ? (QUAERENS. 
378.—Bleaching Skeleton.—Is there any way of improving the 
appearance of a skeleton which has become discoloured by ae 
379.—Sections of Flower and Leaf Buds.—What is the best 
method of making sections of buds to demonstrate estivation and 
vernation ? W. 
380.—Freezing Microtome.—For what class of botanical 
objects can this microtome be used with advantage ? Wi 
381.—Queen Bee.—I am told that although the queen bee has 
a sting, and ejects poison therewith, she neither can, nor does, 
inflict a wound with the sting, but may be handled by the most 
delicate fingers without danger of hurt. Can any reader tell me 
if they vow such to be the case ? Bae 
382.—Plant Hair.—I often wonder of what use to the plant 
are the hairs of plants. Some of them form most beautiful 
microscopic objects. abe 
