1883. ] Scientific News. 807 
in the second, Beale’s carmine, because it does not harden the 
tissues, but assists rather the process of maceration. Pieces of 
tissue may be preserved a long time in glycerine diluted with an 
equal volume of water, provided a few drops of carbolic acid 
have been added to secure against mold and Bacteria. 
To obtain preparations of single-cell elements of Actiniz, the 
macerated portion must be carefully divided up into smaller parts 
by needles, and one or more of these parts placed under the 
cover-glass. Light blows on the cover-glass with a needle will 
cause the cells to separate. Care should be taken to support 
one side of the cover by a hair, which is removed quite gradu- 
ally, after the object has been reduced to very small cell masses. 
Sliding of the cover may be avoided by placing wax feet under 
its corners. 
Dr. Mark has employed this method and obtained excellent 
results with it. As he remarks, the great merit of this fluid is, 
that it separates the cell elements and hardens them at the same 
time. The dissociative and the preservative agent are combined 
in such proportions that the action of the former is confined 
within desired limits by that of the latter. 
70: 
SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 
—Dr. Loring, commissioner of agriculture, has forwarded to 
the secretary of the treasury the following statement submitted 
to him by Professor Riley, the entomologist cf the department, 
who says: In reply to the letter of the assistant secretary of the 
treasury, with inclosures from the New York custom house 
