234 Answers to Queries. 
416.—Transferring Pictures.—This process consists in causing 
the ink of a print, engraving, etc., to adhere to wood by cement- 
ing the face of the print to its surface, and then destroying the 
texture of the paper, so as to leave the ink upon the varnish and 
material operated upon. Required—(1) Transfer varnish ; spirits 
of wine, 5 oz.; Venice turpentine, 4 0z.; picked mastic, 1 oz. 
Place in a wide-mouthed bottle, and shake frequently till dis- 
solved. 
(2) Smooth wood, pumiced and sand-papered. First, put a 
coat of transfer varnish on the wood and leave for twenty-four 
hours (this prevents the wood being soiled). Cut off white margin 
of print, and place face upwards on water till well soaked, keeping 
the printed side dry. When soaked, spread a coat of varnish 
over the face, and apply immediately to the wood. Rub down 
with a towel. Then with a finger rub off half the thickness of the 
paper and let it dry. Then wet the finger only, and rub till only 
a white film of paper remains. Let it dry and clear with a little 
oil of almonds. ‘Then apply carriage varnish. J. A. Hoee. 
419.—Mounting in Balsam.—It is not desirable to exert too 
much pressure on objects mounted in balsam and benzole. If the 
natural oleoresin be used, the slide should be sufficiently heated 
to drive off the volatile oil. The balsam will then set, so that 
the slide may be finished off in a few hours. J. A. Hoce. 
420.-—Dendritic Spots—-These are best seen as transparent 
objects. I have one which I found on thin white paper. This 
was soaked in oil of cloves till quite transparent and mounted in 
balsam. If on thick blue paper, better mount as an opaque 
object. j. AL Hoee 
421.—Coccoliths.—These, like other chalk-organisms, are best 
seen when dried and mounted in Canada balsam. J. A. Hoae. 
422.—Chalk-Organisms.—In examining masses of organisms 
whose particles are but loosely united together, it is desirable to 
separate as much as possible the entire forms from the broken 
residue. Brush a piece of chalk under water with a soft brush. 
The powder will diffuse through the water, and some of it quickly 
subsides. The first deposit generally contains the larger Forami- 
nifera, together with broken shell, etc. | The smaller forms come 
down afterwards, leaving the amorphous powder in the water, 
which should be then poured away. The powder may be then 
dried and mounted in Canada balsam. J. A. Hoge. 
424.— Book on Minerals.—I presume Mr. Steel wants a work 
on Mineralogy so as to be able to recognise minerals when he sees 
them. Professor Dana has published a large work on the subject, 
which is, I believe, considered one of the standard works, but it is 
