163 
A METHOD FOR PRESERVING THE SPORES OF HYMENOMYCETES * 
By Dr. C. O. Harz. 
In studying and making a collection of the Hymenomycetes the pres¬ 
ervation of spore preparations on paper is everywhere enjoined. 
Formerly I used a very simple method for colored spores. I allowed 
them to fall upon any convenient white paper, a process which required 
from one to two hours up to a half or an entire day, according to the ob¬ 
ject. After the removal of the fungus I allowed the spores to lie a short 
time in the air in order to become dry, when I spread a solutiou of 
Canada balsam in absolute alcohol, on the back side of the paper, tak¬ 
ing care that the spore preparation should not be overflowed by a too 
copious amount of the fluid. In this manner the preservation or fixing 
of the spores is accomplished simply and quickly. 
I met with difficulties in case of colorless spores, because it is always 
hard to obtain suitable, well-glazed colored paper whose coloring ma¬ 
terial is not soluble in alcohol. 
Herpell attempted to remove the difficulty by the application of 
ether, mastix, etc., but I was not always successful in obtaining satis¬ 
factory preparations of white spores in this way. 
I have successfully tested the following method for two years : Dis¬ 
solve one part Canada balsam in four parts turpentine oil, warming 
them gently over a water bath or free flame. Spores of all colors, as 
well as colorless ones, can be quickly fixed upon any convenient white 
or colored paper with this solution. 
Forcolored spores I takeauy smooth, wood free, white writing paper, of 
different grades; for white, relatively colorless spores, any convenient 
glazed paper can be used. Blue and black are specially adapted to the 
purpose, but yellow, red, green, and other colors of glazed papers also 
furnish beautiful preparations. 
The application of the above solution is very simple; it should be 
spread thinly on the back side of the paper on which the spores are 
scattered, with a soft brush, and should not be spread on so thickly as to 
overflow the spores. In from two to four days the preparations are so 
far dried out that they can be safely kept between papers. They become 
quite dry (that is, so that the finger will not rub them off) in four to six 
weeks. 
In some cases this method required some minor corrections. 
(1) If the spores have been shed in unusual abundance, it is a good 
plan to repeat the application once after one or two days, or prepare for 
this special purpose ^solution of two parts Canada balsam in five or six 
parts of turpentine oil. 
(2) If the so-called white spores fall very sparingly on the paper, I 
* Translated from Botanisches Centr.dblatt , 1889, page 78, by PI. A. Sonthworth. 
