ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
567 
Besides the mere staining of the spores the author had in view the 
object of ascertaining if the resistance of spores could be measured by 
means of staining. Numerous experiments were made with tetanus, 
anthrax, symptomatic anthrax, and other bacteria, but the results, as far 
as the end in view was concerned, were not successful. 
Staining Micro-organisms of the Cuticle.* — In preparing any por- 
tion of the outer skin (or its pathological derivatives), epidermis, hair, 
nails, scabs, &c., Dr. Unna fiist treats the specimen with a drop of acetic 
acid, then squeezing and flattening it out between two slides. This 
done, the slides are drawn apart and dried quickly in a flame ; the fatty 
matters are next removed by running a few drops of ether-alcohol over 
them while held obliquely. 
Then upon one slide are placed two drops of borax-methylen-blue 
(borax 1, methylen-blue 1, H 2 0 100) and this is covered with the other 
slide, and the two heated in the flame for 10-20 seconds. After this, 
the preparations are further decolorized or dried in the flame. 
The author treats preparations deprived of fat and dried in the air 
with a drop of borax-methylen-blue solution, and a drop of glycerin ; 
puts on a cover-glass, and warms gently for five minutes. The prepara- 
tion is then washed with water, dried in the flame, and imbedded in 
balsam. 
The results were even better when glycol or glycerin-ether were 
used instead of glycerin. 
As attenuants of the staining solution and as decolorants of the 
tissue stained, the author used a large number of substances, but found 
that the best decolorizing results were obtained when physical and 
chemical extractives were used in combination, e. g. permanganate of 
potash and peroxide of hydrogen. 
Nastukow, M. M., & M. J. Pewsner— Ueber Sublimat-Anilin-Farbstoffe 
in der Bakteriologie. (On Sublimat-anilin-colouring Matters in Bacteriology.) 
Wratsch, 1892, pp. 310-1 (Russian). 
Sabouraud, R.— Quelques faits relatifs a la methode de coloration de Lustgarten. 
(Some points regarding Lustgarten’s Staining Method.) 
Ann. Inst. Pasteur, 1892, pp. 184-340. 
Unna, P. G. — Die Farbung der Mikroorganismen im Horngewebe. (The Colora- 
tion of Micro-organisms in Horny Tissue.) Hamburg, 1891, 8vo, 38 pp. 
( 5) Mounting-, including Slides, Preservative Fluids, &c. 
Shimer’s new Mounting Medium.t — This is made of equal parts of 
Farrant’s solution, glycerin, and glycerin-jelly, the last being made of 
gelatin, 30 parts; water, 70 parts; glycerin, 100 parts; carbolic acid, 
2 parts. Of this jelly, liquefied by the aid of a water-bath, pour one 
fluid oz. into a 4-oz. glass stoppered bottle, add an equal volume of 
the Farrant’s medium and of glycerin. Agitate, thoroughly mix, and 
add a small lump of camphor. A little warming is necessary to make 
it fluid for use. 
The Short Slide as a Safety Slide. J — Dr. Henry Shimer remarks : — ■ 
“ Much has been said in microscopical books, journals, and elsewhere, 
* Monatsschr. f. prakt. Dermat., xiii. (1891) pp. 225 and 286. See Centralbl. f. 
Bakteriol. u. Parasitenk., xi. (1892) pp. 315-7. 
t ‘ Pacific Record,’ see Amer. Mon. Micr. Journ., xiii. (1892) p. 110. 
j Microscope, xi. (1891) pp. 266-70. 
