558 General Notes. | May 
Mayer, described in the December number of this journal, is one 
of the simplest devices that has thus far been offered, and is per- 
fectly adapted to both large and small sections. It is provided 
with an adjusting apparatus, the absence of which is a defect in 
the above instrument of Gage and Smith, and is applicable to 
knives of different forms and sizes. 
Methods of Preparing the Alcyonaria-—Dr. Wilson" has employed 
with success the following methods in preparing the Alcyonaria 
for histological purposes: 
“After testing many preservative and staining fluids, the follow- 
ing methods were adopted as giving, upon the whole, the best 
results: The animals were suddenly killed by momentary immer- 
sion in a mixture of one part strong acetic acid and two parts of 
a concentrated solution of corrosive sublimate in fresh water. 
i a i t it must be u 
are obtained by the use of alum-carmine, bu mesoderm 
eous fluids. 
Nitric acid (10 per cent) “+9 
Cent BOON bias ck acn ce dea renee cobs sere t 
Chromic acid (34 per cent)......ccccccccceccesrsers aN 
This mixture assumes a violet hue after a short time. nty-fout 
: : ours; then twe 
per cent. 
iret Sao a 
