156 NATURAL HISTORY MISCELLANY. 
Lake Superior told me, viz., that ri time during the winter violets could 
be obtained by digging away the snow. Adenocaulon bicolor Hook., I 
found in June, three feet high, in full ada. and having almost a tropi- 
cus Hook., twined its elegant wreaths of cream-colored or pale-yellow 
flowers in graceful profusion. Instances irpo be multiplied did space 

permit.— HENRY GILLMAN, Detroit, Mich 
ZOÓLOGY. 
FOR PRESERVING NATURAL COLORS OF MARINE ANIMALS 
— While collecting on the coast of Maine last summer umerou 
t the present time I have a large lot of specimens which have the colors 
perfectly preserved and nearly as brilliant as in life. Among these are 
many kinds of Crustacea, such as Shrimp and Prawns (Hippolyte, e 
gon, Palemon, Mysis, etc.), Amphipods and Entomos straca; also many 
species of Starfishes, Worms, Sea-anemones (Alcyonium, Ascidians, puc 
The dered and Citatos are particularly satisfactory. The internal 
pa well preserved as the colors, and in these animals the form 
is not bad by cont Aut as it is apt to be in soft bodied ane 
either by aleohol or glycerine. The only precaution taken was to 
very heavy glycerine, and 5 keep up the strength by transferring de 
can be used again for the flrst bath. In many cases the specimens, espec- 
ially Crustacea, were killed by immersing them for a few minutes in 
strong alcohol, which aids greatly in the extraction of water, but usually 
s the delicate kinds to an opaque, dull white color, but this opacity 
disappears when they are put in glycerine, and the real colors again 
appear. Many colors, however, quickly fade or turn red in alcohol, So 
that such specimens must be put at once into glycerine. Green shades 
usually turn red almost instantly in alcohol. Specimens of various Lepi- 
-dopterous larve were also well preserved in the same manner. __ 
The expense is usually regarded as an objection to the use of glycerine. 
The best and strongest can be bought at about $1 per pound, but recently 
have been able to obtain a very dense and colorless article at 42 cents 
per pound, which is entirely satisfactory. As there is no loss by evapo- 
ration, the specimens will keep when once well preserved, if merely cov- 
ered se The expense for small and medium sized specimens is not 
re than for alcohol. — A. E. VERRILL, Yale College. 
Does THE Pune DOG MSN AF ANY x Watua? — Eralslecdog towns on 
the Plains ar m any water that can be dis- - 
covered on. the surface, It is the end belief among those who are 


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