370 NOTES AND MEMORANDA. [^ourn^ Stiff 
Structure of Tuhipora musica. — Dr. E. Perceval Wright has been 
following up M. Lacaze-Duthier's line of research, and has given 
us (' Annals of Natural History,' May) a very good though short 
paper on the structure of the " Organ-pipe Coral." The author com- 
ments on Kolliker's statement in his 'Icones Histologicae,' and 
points out that the structure of the skeleton of this coral, contrary to 
Kolliker's view, is ceitainly not crystalline. The development of the 
ovum has not been studied by the author. 
NOTES AND MEMOEANDA. 
Lectures on the Microscope. — It is rumoured — and we hope on 
good foundation — that an experienced microscopist proposes next 
winter to give a series of general public lectures on microscopic mani- 
pulation. We think the idea a good one. Such lectures are regularly 
given in most medical schools. A course on " The Microscope in 
Physiology and Medicine " is, we perceive, being delivered now in the 
University of Pennsylvania. 
Glycerine for Preserving the Natural Colours of Marine Animals 
has been very highly spoken of in a recent paper by Mr. A. E. Verrill, 
of Yale College, U.S. " The only precaution taken was to use very 
heavy glycerine, and to keep up the strength by transferring the 
specimens to new as soon as they had given out water enough to 
weaken it much, repeating the transfer two or three times, according 
to the size or number of the specimens, or till all the water was 
removed." Mr. Verrill says that this is an excellent method, that it 
preserves the colours better than any other process, and, finally, that 
it is by no means expensive. 
A New Section Instrument has been described by Dr. J. Gibbons 
Hunt, at a late meeting of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural 
Sciences : — A brass tube, two inches long and three-fourths of an inch 
in diameter, is closed at one end ; a circular brass plate two inches 
in diameter attached to the other end, and ground properly flat, forms 
the surface to guide the razor. Into this tube fits another, which is 
worked up or down by a screw working in a thread cut in the bottom 
of the outside tube. A slot cut through the upjper end of the outer tube 
affords room for a lateral binding-screw, which is attached to and 
carried by the inner tube. The binding-screw presses against a move- 
able tongue of metal armed at the upper and inner side with minute 
points. On the opposite side of the inner tube are also points designed 
to hold an object more securely. The advantages of this improvement 
are obvious. It is cheap, and is peculiar in really answering the 
purpose for which it is made. 
British Graptolites. — A very good paper on this subject has been 
