THE MEDITERRANEAN NATURALIST 
of flint which are very liable to cut the gauze. 
This may be done in a great degree by sifting 
through a coarse sieve, say of 10 meshes to the 
inch, which will retain most of the objectionable 
Hint flakes. Do not, however, throw these flakes 
away without examination, for large foraminifera 
may be found amongst them. If the sieve does 
not prove satisfactory in eliminating the flints, 
there is nothing for it but picking out with a 
pair of forceps the flakes from the material spread 
upon a black surface. After this is done, warm the 
material on a plate before the fire and throw /in 
into water as was recommended in the case of 
clay. The warmth and subsequent action of the 
water will greatly assist in cleansing the forami- 
nifera by making more friable the calcareous 
particles adhering to them. Proceed then in the 
manner described above for treating clay contain- 
ing foraminifera. 
In many specimens thus obtained, the original 
carbonate of lime forming the shell has 
been so replaced by silica that they will 
resist the action of dilute hydrochloric acid. 
Advantage may be taken of this change, to fur- 
ther cleanse such specimens whose appearance is 
spoiled by the adherence of particles of chalk, but 
great care should be exercised so as not to spoil 
the specimen, and very weak acid should be used. 
I will conclude this paper with a few hints as 
to the selection of foramifera from the “floatings' ’’ 
•and “washings” resulting from the above-described 
processes. I myself use for the purpose of selec- 
tion a Compound Binocular Microscope with a 
pair of “A” Eyepieces and a 2-in. Objective, as 
I find this power the most convenient being the 
lowest which enables me to get a good idea of 
the state of preservation of the specimens, and at 
'he same time gives a good large field. My micro- 
scope has a large square stage, and the “floatings” 
are examined on a large slip (dimensions 4in, x 
2in.) covered with ribbed silk, the ribs running 
the length of the slip. The silk is found of ad- 
vantage in allowing the microscope to be inclined 
in a considerable degree without any danger of 
of the specimens rolling off and so being lost; co 
guard further again t this danger there is a border 
of thick cardboard glued around the slip. To pick 
up the foraminifera selected, a fine pointed sable 
brush is used, which must be slightly wetted and 
drawn to a point. The specimen having been 
picked up on the tip of the wetted brush, may 
be transferred to a 3in. x iin. slip of cardboard 
covered with black paper which has been brushed 
over with a thin solution of gum and then dried. 
When a sufficient number of Foraminifera have 
have been collected on this slip, they may be 
sorted and permanently mounted for the cabinet 
in any manner the collector may desire. 
I would beg to remind my readers that they 
cannot be too particular about the thorough 
cleansing of all apparatus after use, so as to guard 
against specimens from one locality fi iding then- 
way into material from another place. Of course, 
this is very important when the question of distri- 
bution of species is entered upon. I find the best 
way of cleansing sieves and the tin funnel is to 
brush them when dry with an old clothes-brush 
and the easiest way to clean the gauze bags is 
to dry completely, rub between the hands, and 
shake then well. In my experience this is far 
more efficient than washing the articles. 
Deep Sea Explorations in the Eastern 
Mediterranean. 
The Deep-sea explorations in the eastern parts 
of the Mediterranean, which were continued this 
year by the Austrian Government, on board the 
Pola, were rich in interesting results: they are 
analysed by Prof. J. Luksch in the Sitzun-jsberv-hte. 
of the Vienna Academy (vol. 1Q0, 2nd division), 
and were briefly referred to in the “Proceedings” 
for December. Leaving the Adriatic at Cape 
Leuca, the Pola proceeded south to the latitude 
of Navarino; thence she ran south-east to Candia 
visiting also Cerigo Islands and Santorini Sailing 
round the eastern part part of Candia, the Pola 
proceeded to Alexandria, west along the African 
coast to lias Millie, thence to Candia again 
along the south-western coast of that island, to 
Cerigo, Milo, and the Pyrseus. The soundings 
during the cruise were extremel}' interesting, 
inasmuch as in latitude 35° 44' 20" and longitude 
21° 44' 50" (about 50 nautical miles south-west 
from Cape Matapan) the Pola found the depth of 
