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scopists would only adopt the very best method of mounting, yet there are 
a few who would like to know how a preparation of diatoms may he 
quickly, if roughly mounted. Dr. A. M. Edwards gives the following 
method in the “ Monthly Microscopical Journal” [No. LXXI.] : “If the 
microscopist,” he says, “ wishes to mount a few slides of recent diatoms, 
just to show what diatoms are, nothing is easier. It is only necessary to boil 
a small mass of them in strong nitric acid in a test-tube over a spirit lamp, 
and, when the acid has ceased to emit red or yellowish fumes, wash 
them thoroughly with clean water, allowing them to settle completely. 
Then a little of the clean sediment, consisting almost entirely of the shells 
of the diatoms, is taken up by means of a 1 dip-tube,’ and placed upon the 
central portion of a glass slide. Here it is dried, and the slide warmed over 
a lamp ; then a drop of Canada balsam is permitted to fall upon the diatoms. 
As soon as all bubbles have cleared off from the balsam, a warm cover of 
thin glass is carefully laid upon it and permitted to settle into place. When 
cool, it is ready for examination by means of the microscope, any balsam 
which has exuded around the cover being washed off with alcohol. In this 
way rough and tolerably clean specimens may be obtained.” 
Microscopical Papers of the Past Quarter. — The following is a list of the 
various papers read before the Royal Microscopical Society of London, and 
published in the “ Monthly Microscopical Journal” for Oct., Nov., and Dec., 
1874 : — 
The Hairs of Caterpillars. By T. W. Wonfor (Hon. Sec. Brighton and 
Sussex Natural History Society). — On Bog Mosses. By R. Braith waite, 
M.D., F.L.S. — The Pebrine Corpuscles in the Silkworm, and what they 
are analogous to. — On the Microscopical Characters of the Sputum in 
Phthisis. By John Denis Macdonald, M.D., F.R.S., Staff-Surgeon 
R.N., Assistant Professor of Naval Hygiene, Netley Medical School. — 
Blue and Violet Stainings for Vegetable Tissues. By Christopher 
Johnston, M.D., Baltimore, U.S.A. — A Physicist on Evolution : being 
a part of Professor Tyndall’s Address to the British Association at 
Belfast. — Supplementary Remarks on Appendicularia. By Alfred 
Sanders, M.R.C.S. — New Diatoms. By F. Kitton, Norwich. — Final 
Remarks on Immersed Apertures. By F. H. Wenham, V.P.R.M.S. — 
The Filaria Immitis. Amended Anatomical Details. By F. H. Welch, 
F.R.C.S., Assistant to Professor of Pathology, Army Medical School, 
Netley. — How to Prepare Specimens of Diatomaceae for Examination 
and Study by means of the Microscope. By A. Mead Edwards, M.D., 
Newark, New Jersey, U.S. — Continued Researches into the Life 
History of the Monads. By W. H. Dallinger, F.R.M.S., and J. Drys- 
dale, M.D., F.R.M.S. — On some Microscopic Leaf Fungi from the 
Himalayas. By Joseph Fleming, M.D., F.R.C.S., Surgeon Army 
Medical Department. — The Sphaeraphides in British Urticaceae and in 
Leonurus. By Professor George Gulliver, F.R.S. — The Encystment of 
Bucephalus Haimeanus. By M. Alf. Giard. 
