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SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
of not destroying, as does alum-carmine, calcareous spicules, and certain 
elements, sucli as those of mucous glands, are much better stained by it ; 
these glands are, however, preferably stained with methyl-green, which 
has a remarkable power of selecting mucus. After staining, the sec- 
tions should be placed for a few seconds in a very weak alcoholic solution 
of methyl-green. 
Preparation of Gastrulae of Aurelia flavidula.*— The embryos 
examined by Mr. F. Smith had been killed with picro-nitric acid and 
preserved in 90 per cent, alcohol for three years. Ehrlich’s acid hsema- 
toxylin was found to be the best staining reagent for sections. Czokor’s 
alum-cochincal stains embryos of different ages with corresponding 
degrees of intensity, increasing with the age of the embryo. 
Examination of Spongicola fistularis.f — Mr. W. R. Melly found it 
very difficult to kill this curious medusoid in an extended condition. 
The best specimens for sections were those treated for two minutes in 
1 per cent, osmic, and then passed through various stages of alcohol up 
to 90 per cent., hardened in absolute, and imbedded in paraffin. It was 
found best to leave the Spongicola in the Sponge, and dissect it out after 
hardening in absolute alcohol. 
A Medium for preserving the Colours of Fish and other Animals, t 
— Mr. A. Haly, Curator of the Colombo Museum, has for some years 
been making experiments to discover a medium which will preserve the 
colours of fish and other animals. The following is taken from the last 
Annual Report of the Colombo Museum : — “ In my last year’s report I 
made some remarks on the use of carbolized oil as a mounting fluid for 
specimens already prepared by other means, the idea that it was a pre- 
servative in itself not having occurred to me. Further experiments this 
year seem to show (I do not like to speak too confidently in a climate 
like this, even with twelve months’ experience) that it is one of the most 
perfect preservatives known both for form and colour. 
Coco-nut oil and carbolic acid freely mix in all proportions. The 
mixtures at present under trial are oil raised to the specific gravity of 
10° and 20° below proof-spirit by the addition of acid. Whilst the 
gum and glycerin process is absolutely useless for any animals, except 
certain families of fish, this mixture is good for every kind of vertebrate. 
The most delicate frogs are quite uninjured by it, and snakes undergo 
no change. The delicate plum-like bloom on the geckoes, the fugitive 
reddish tint on such snakes as Ablabes humberti, are beautifully preserved 
by it. 
Another most important use is in the preservation of large fish-skins, 
which can bo packed away in it for an indefinite period, aud mounted 
when wanted. These skins do not require varnishing, neither do they 
turn brown, but although, of course, they do not preserve their sheen 
like fish in the oil itself, they always maintain a silvery aud natural 
appearance, quite different from that of ordinary museum specimens. 
If ever we get a new fish gallery, a show of our large species prepared 
in this way would form a most effective exhibition. 
* Bull. Mus. C. Z., xxii. (1891) pp. 115-6. 
t Rep. Brit. Ass., 1891 (1892) pp. 367-8. 
J Nature, xlv. (1891) p. 212. 
