ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
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used for the distribution of the bacteria, and the bacteria should be 
dried on. If an indifferent medium be known which stops the action 
of the disinfectant, it is advantageous to use filter-paper, and not to dry 
the bacteria. If cover-glasses be used the material should be previously 
dried on in order to prevent.it from being washed off unequally. 
When the bacteria are not resistant to drying, and no indifferent 
medium is known, cover-glasses should be used and the material not 
dried. If a paralysing agent be known then filter-paper should be chosen 
and drying avoided. 
As a substitute for cover-glasses and filter-paper the author has 
used thin layers, leaves in fact, of gelatin, in order to obtain a regular 
dissemination of the material. This procedure is, however, not of 
universal application. 
Modification of WolfFhiigers Colony Counter.* * * § — Dr. G. Mie has 
devised an improvement of the usually adopted counter, the modification 
of which consists in making the under plate the counter, and using a 
simple glass plate as cover. The distance between the counting plate 
and the gelatin is thereby much diminished. 
Distribution of Bacteria Colonies in Esmarch’s Boll Tubes.j — Di . 
B. Korber points out that calculations based on observations of cultiva- 
tions in Esmarch’s tubes are often erroneous, the chief sources of error 
being that the internal diameter of the tubes is not the same throughout ; 
the section is often not circular but oval, and all tubes have a turn 
on their long axis. 
Combination Hot Filter and Steam Sterilizer.^ — Mr. E. W. Mally 
recommends that agar and other solid media should be filtered hot in 
a steam sterilizer, as thereby filtration is facilitated and a germless 
filtrate produced. A sort of diaphragm with a central hole is placed 
inside the sterilizer, and on this is fitted a structure 8 in. high, and 
having a handle at one side. Herein is placed a hollow coue, the upper 
diameter of which is 4 in., and that of the lower in. For the top 
a lid is provided. 
Besides the conical funnel, there is a thermometer attached, and the 
whole is surrounded like the sterilizer with asbestos. The fluid to be 
filtered is placed inside the sterilizer, and an empty flask of equal size 
as well. The funnel receives a filter paper, and when sufficiently 
damped by the moist heat of the sterilizer the contents of the first flask 
are poured into the funnel and filter into the empty one which has been 
placed below. 
Chamberland Filter Systeme Andre. § — M. Lacour-Eymard has 
examined the working of the Chamberland-Pasteur filter systeme Andre. 
This system adapts to the porcelain bougie a layer of an indifferent 
powder, “ poudre d’entretien,” in such a way that dirt is prevented from 
* Hygienische Rundschau, 1891, No. 7. See Centralbl. f. Bakteriol. u. Para- 
sitenk., xv. (1894) p. 876. 
f Zeitschr. f. Hygiene, xvi. p. 513. See Centralbl. f. Bakteriol. u. Parasitenk., 
xv. (1894) pp. 921-2. 
t Modern Medicine and Bacteriological World, 1893, p. 275. See Centralbl. f. 
Bakteriol. u. Parasitenk., xv. (1894) pp. 877-8. 
§ Rev. d’Hygiene et de Pol. San., 1893, No. 6. See Centralbl. f. Bakteriol. u. 
Parasitenk., xv. (1894) p. 621. 
