THE SULLIVANT MOSS CHAPTER 



OF THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION. 



— Our apologies are due to Vice-President Collins for the omis- 

 sion of his name from the list of charter members. 



— Only eleven votes were cast in the vote for the constitution, 

 but as they were all affirmative and constitute a quorum, the con- 

 stitution is adopted. 



— The president hopes that no one will think him to be the per- 

 son referred to in the July Bryologist as "just the man for the 

 place." The person thus referred to positively declined the honor. 



— Fifty members, and more are joining every day. Copies of the 

 constitution will be mailed to any one interested in moss study 

 upon application to the secretary. 



— Vice-President Collins sends the following note on mica for 

 slides: " A .good grade of mica for microscopic slides can be ob- 

 tained of Eugene Munsell & Co., 218 Water street, New York 

 City. It comes in square pieces, 2x2, and is readily cut into two 

 slides and two covers with an old pair of shears. It generally 

 comes much too thick, but is readily split to the desined thickness. 

 I obtained a pound of it in March, 1898, and have been using it 

 pretty constantly since, and have two-thirds of it unused now. 

 The price quoted me in March was 51 cents per pound net, less 2 

 per cent, for cash in ten days, delivered." 



— Our secretary sends the following method of preparing mica 

 slides for use, after separating the mica and trimming the pieces 

 into the desired sizes: First — Place the whole in a dish and cover 

 with alcohol and let stand for twenty -four hours. The alcohol 

 need not be of high grade. Wood alcohol, such as is used for 

 burning in lamps, is good enough. Second — Pour the alcohol off, 

 keeping it for such use or for burning, cover the mica with water, 

 in which pour a few drops of hydrochloric acid. Let this stand 

 for several hours, taking care to separate the thin slides in such 

 manner that all may be acted upon by the acid bath. Third — 

 Pour this off and repeatedly wash in warm water, by pouring the 

 water on and stirring to insure perfect cleaning. Fourth — Dry by 

 spreading the mica on towels, and when dry polish with lens 

 paper. Finally place in a covered box to keep free from dust. 



