822 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
Fig. 103. 
a 
solution, and insert a plug of cotton (boiled in water to remove the air) 
at the U-bend. Join the object-box to the filter, fill up with sublimate 
solution, and push a plug of cotton into 
Fig. 104. the lower end of the box. Put the objects 
into the box, plug the upper end, and 
join the box and filter to the empty- 
reservoir a. Now mix equal parts of 
sublimate solution and 33 per cent, 
alcohol (solution 2) ; mix equal parts of 
solution 2 and sublimate solution (solu- 
tion 1). Mix equal parts of solution 2 
and 33 per cent, alcohol (solution 3). 
Add solution 1 to the reservoir until it 
is one-fourth full, solution 2 till it is 
half full, solution 3 until it is three parts 
full, and fill up with 33 per cent, alcohol. 
If the solutions are carefully added the 
difference in specific gravity will prevent 
them mixing ; if forced rapidly in, a 
nearly uniform mixture of about equal 
parts of sublimate and 33 per cent, alcohol 
will be formed. It is desirable to get an 
intermediate condition, when we shall 
have a uniform gradation or differentia- 
tion from sublimate solution to 33 per 
cent, alcohol in passing upwards through 
^ the reservoir. The objects should next 
be passed through borax-carmine, 50 per 
cent., 70 per cent., 90 per cent., and 
absolute alcohol ; and finally to thin 
balsam. The differentiator should be 
used throughout the operation. 
Objects which contract unexpectedly 
may be rendered insensible by the use of 
alcohol from 5 per cent, to 30 per cent., 
or through chloral hydrate, when they 
will be found insensible and outstretched. 
For further hints in manipulation, and a list of the mixtures used, 
we must refer to the author’s detailed account. 
i 
How to clean old Slides and utilize spoiled Mounts. — Dr. H. M. 
Whelpley, in a paper read at tbe St. Louis Club of Microscopists, said, 
“ For two years past I have permitted soiled slides and spoiled mounts 
to accumulate in a box set aside for that purpose. The process I have 
recently followed in reclaiming them has been successful. I first placed 
the unsightly rubbish in a dish of clean water, where it remained until all 
of the labels were readily removed. With an old knife I next scraped 
off the cells and all cement that could be easily removed in this manner. 
All slides where glycerin or other substance soluble in water had been 
used as a mounting medium were again washed, and then the entire pile 
spread out and dried. I separated those that were clean, and placed 
the rest in alcohol for several days. This solvent cleaned another 
