574 ; General Notes. [August, 
He recommends that one or two grooved blocks be kept on 
the working table, in which covers that have been selected for im- 
mediate use may be similarly supported on edge, and from which 
they can be easily taken by the forceps. Such a block is prepared 
by setting a circular saw so as to cut only 34th of an inch deep, 
and then passing over it several times a block of white wood, in 
such manner as to cut a series of parallel grooves on the side 
which is to be used as the top of the block. Standing covers in 
these grooves is a great improvement on the common method of 
leaning them against the base of the microscope or some other 
convenient but unsuitable object. 
New MicroscopicaL JourNaLs.— The Journal de Mirail 
` published monthly in Paris, under the very able editorial manage- 
ment of Dr. J. Pelletan, has already achieved, within a few months 
from the time of its first i issue, a character of its own, not only as 
‘a successful business enterprise, but also as a powerful, independ- 
ent and original scientific organ. It treats with equal ability and 
prominence both the theory and use of the microscope, and, in 
addition to original papers on the subject, gives a thorough and 
judicious summary of papers and progress in other countries. It 
is really occupying a field in which it has no competitor in any 
part of the world, and our only selfish regret about it is that there 
is not an edition in the English language which would render it 
useful to a larger number of readers in this country. It is pub- 
lished by > Masson, 120 Boulevard St. Germain, Paris, France, 
at $6 a yea 
Prof. koyi Hitchcock proposes to begin the publication, 
about the first of November, of a new journal to be called 7he 
American Quarterly Microscopical Journal. It will be published © 
at three dollars a year, and will give, in addition to illustrated 
a articles, asummary of the progress of the science, gathered 
from all available sources. The support of many promi- 
nent microscopists has been promised, and the eu -will of all 
will be extended to the attempt to establish a journal of a class 
which has hardly attempted before to live in this country. The 
address of the Journal is P. O. box 2335, New York City. 
New American Opjectives.—Mr. Frank Wilkins, who formerly 
worked for the Ross House, of London, but now is with Mr. John 
Roach, of San Francisco, is making objectives which the mem- 
bers of the San Francisco Society consider equal to a good grade 
of English lenses. Our Pacific friends are much pleased at this 
_ notable addition to their local resources, 
MINERALS FOR THE Microscopr.—Mr. Chas. H. Denison, 531 
me California street, San Francisco, is supplying by mail specimens 
- suitable for the microscope, selected from the characteristic min- 
= aoe 
rals of the Pacific coast. Of course the various forms and com- _ 
binati tions of gold, silver and cinnabar are made prominent E 
yi 
