ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
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gives good results, but it appears to be inferior to the ordinary rapid 
method for embryonic material. 
J o hn e — Zur Farbung der Milzbrandbacillen. (Staining Bacilli of Anthrax.) 
Dtsclie. Tierarztl. Wochenschr ., 1894, No. 35, pp. 289--92. 
Dtscfie. Zeitsclir.f. Tiermed., 1894, XX. Nos. 5/6, pp. 426-9. 
(5) Mounting-, including- Slides, Preservative Fluids, &c. 
Wiese’s Preserving Fluid.* * * § — Dr. A. B. Meyer reports on his experi- 
ence with Wiese’s fluid (6 gr. sodium hyposulphite in 5000 gr. water, 
75 gr. ammonium chloride in 250 gr. of water, mixed with 4-6 litres of 
spirit). It certainly allows the colours of fishes, reptiles, &c., to remain, 
but unfortunately it does not prevent decomposition, as Meyer recently 
experienced with some tropical fishes thus preserved. The much desired 
fluid is still to seek. 
Formalin as a Preserving Medium for Vegetable Tissues, f — Prof. 
0. Penzig recommends the use of formalin or formol — a solution of 
40 parts formaldehyd in 100 of water — for the preservation of vegetable 
substances. A mixture of this solution in water to the extent of 2-2 * 5 
per cent, has powerful antiseptic properties. The colours of chlorophyll 
and anthocyan are, to a certain extent, also preserved. 
Herr E. Bruns J speaks favourably of the same substance as a liquid 
for the preservation of green, red, and brown seaweeds, using a 1 per 
cent, solution of formalin in sea water. The colour of the algae is 
perfectly preserved, if protected from light. 
Dr. L. Linsbauer § also recommends formol as a preservative of the 
delicate parts of plants, either in the form of vapour, or as a 2*5 per 
cent, solution in water. It prevents shrinking in the objects immersed ; 
some colours of flowers are well preserved. 
(6) Miscellaneous. 
Detection of Phosphorus in Vegetable Tissues.|] — Dr. G. Pollacci 
recommends the following method. The phosphorus is first brought 
into the state of ammonium phospho-molybdate by the application of a 
mixture of ammonium molybdate and nitric acid. The addition of 
stannous chloride SnCl 2 then produces a strong coloration, varying 
from dark blue to grey, according to the amount of phosphorus 
contained in the preparation. 
Slide-holder. — Dr. L. Heim describes a stand which he finds useful 
for heating slides when being stained. The stand consists of a base, an 
upright, and a tray. The tray is connected with the upright by means 
of a horizontal piece which is fixed for vertical and also horizontal 
movement by two joints. The slide-holder is nothing more than the 
stand used by chemists for heating liquids over a flame. 
* Zool. Anzeig., xvii. (1894) pp. 446-7. 
f Malpighia, viii. (1894) pp. 331-6. 
t Ber. Deutsch. Bot. Gesell., xii. (1894) p. 185. 
§ SB. K. K. Zool.-Bot. Gesell. Wien, 1894, pp. 23-6. 
|| Malpighia, viii. (1894) p. 363. 
if Centralbl. f. Bakteriol. u. Parasitenk., l e Abt., xvii. (1895) p. 84 (1 fig.). 
