112 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
expansion, and with just enough water to cover it when fully expanded. 
A glass syringe filled with Perenyi’s fluid should have its nozzle quickly 
inserted into the mouth of the Actinian, and the contents should be 
rapidly injected. At the same time, if possible, a quantity of the same 
fluid should be poured over the animal. After half an hour the animal 
should be treated successively with 50, 70, and 90 per cent, alcohol, care 
being taken to inject a considerable quantity of the spirits into the 
interior at each change. Though considerable contraction and loss of 
colour ordinarily follow the use of this method, the parts are satis- 
factorily preserved for future histological study. 
Demonstrating Cyclosis in Vallisneria spiralis.*— Prof. S. Lock- 
wood says that Mr. F. W. Devoe is able to show the circulation in this 
plant to the best advantage. “ Having selected a bit of a leaf, not too 
mature, he shaves off one side with a sharp knife, although a razor is 
better. It is then put on a slide, the shaven side up. A drop or two of 
clean water and a cover-glass of medium thickness with good illumina- 
tion follows, Mr. Devoe using a prism illuminator. Begin with a 6/10 
objective, and continue to a 1/6 or a 1/10, and a vision is got of a 
startling clearness. The vivid individuality of each bioplasmic molecule 
and the mystic, almost solemn movement of this pellucid stream of 
infinities of life, form a sensational picture of which the beholder never 
tires.” 
Cleaning Diatoms from Sand-t — Mr. Norman N. Mason communi- 
cates the following method : — 
After removal of the organic matter with acid by the usual methods, 
add to the diatoms and sand in a large bottle, thirty, forty, or fifty 
times the quantity, by measure, of water, and gently shake until they 
are mixed. This water, with the diatoms and sand kept suspended by 
an occasional shake, is slowly poured in a small stream upon the upper 
end of a strip of clean glass, 3 ft. long by 3 in. wide, and securely 
supported. The upper end of the glass should be from 1/8 to 1/4 in. 
higher than the lower end, and the glass should be level transversely. 
Beneath the lower end place any convenient receiver. The water and 
diatoms will pass into the receiver. The sand, which will form little 
bars on the glass, must be removed occasionally, as it gradually creeps 
towards the lower end of the glass, and there would eventually pass 
into the receiver. 
The loss of diatoms will bo very small. Usually one pouring is 
sufficient for cleaning. The sand can be re-washed if necessary, or a 
little clear water run over the sand on the glass strip will carry forward 
almost the last diatom ; but this will scarcely pay for the trouble. A 
short piece of glass will cause a failure, and too great an incline will be 
found almost as bad. 
Preparing Crystals of Salicine. — Dr. F. L. James a few years ago J 
described a phenomenal class of crystals produced from salicine. The 
process is now stated § to depend on bringing a saturated solution of 
salicine made with distilled water in contact with cold below the 
* The Microscope, ix. (1889) pp. .327-8. 
t Journ, New York Micr. Soe., v. (1889) p. IIG. 
X See this Jouniai, 1887, p. 507. § Amer. Mon. Micr. Journ., x. (1889) p. 214. 
