ZYGOMYCETES 691 



forceps and mount in alcohol on a slide : then examine quickly with a high 

 power. 



Ex. 279. — In order to observe the germination of these and other spores and 

 watch their subsequent development for a time, a moist chamber, prepared 

 as follows, is necessary : — 



Place fifteen or sixteen pieces of blotting-paper on one another and punch 

 out, or cut out, a round or square hole slightly less than the size of a three- 

 quarter inch cover-slip. Cut the blotting-paper afterwards so as to fit on a 

 slide, as in A, Fig. 231. 



A piece of stout cardboard, cut in a similar manner, may be used instead 

 of blotting-paper. 



In the centre of a cover-slip place a small drop of water, or a drop of a 

 very dilute extract of French plums which has been boiled. Shake or other- 

 wise transfer the spore to be germinated into the drop of water, and then 

 place the cover-slip over the hole in the cardboard with the drop hanging 

 downwards, as in B, Fig. 231. 



Keep the whole on damp blotting-paper under a bell-jar. 



The spores can be readily examined from day to day, even with a high 

 power, through the glass of the cover-slip without moving or disturbing the 

 latter 



