678 General Notes. [August, 
Mountinc Srarcnes.—A correspondent of Science Gossip 
advises to mount starch by dredging it through muslin into balsam 
melted in a test tube over a spirit-lamp. After the air bubbles 
which will appear have been caused to burst, a little of the balsam 
is transferred to a slide and covered with a warmed cover-glass, 
when the starch it contained is found to be evenly distributed, free 
from air bubbles, and in suitable condition to be viewe by 
polarized light. Very soft balsam, which requires but little heat, 
should be used in this procedure, lest the starch grains should 
be altered by the heat. 
ance that her department will be an important as well as promi- 
nent feature of the enterprise. 
RECENT PAMPHLETS,—Les apparences microscopiques des Valves des Diatoinees, 
par Julian Derby, C. E. Bruxelles, Belgium. Bel 
Etudes sur des Coupes de Diatomees (Jutland), par W. Prinz. Bruxelles, 
gium. 
On some Impurities of Drinking-water. By Professor W. G. Farlow, Boston. re 
The condition of the Brain in Insanity. By Theodore Deecke, Utica, New York. 
local arrangements for reception and entertainment under ee 
auspices of the Tyndall Association of Columbus, will doubtless 
of the most satisfactory character. : 
The American Association for the Advancement of pqientt? 
meets at Cincinnati on Wednesday of the following ty 
August 17th, the subsection of microscopy being under ‘ei 
chairmanship of Rev. A. B. Hervey of Taunton, Massac 
setts. During the week of the meetings, the Departmen 
Science and Art of the Ohio Mechanics’ Institute, will bie 
a loan exhibition of scientific apparatus, including nuierosaehe 
and other optical instruments. It is believed that oe tory 
hibition of apparatus and objects illustrating pa o 
in 
the interest of the meetings. Among the prizes offered are 
