VARIETIES. 
379 
Forma  'ion  of  Cell  wall — Vegetable  histology  has  attracted  of  In  to  years 
considerable  notice.  Ilerr  Schacht,  lias  been  examining  into  the  forma- 
tion of  the  primordial  utricle,  with  a  view  to  discover  what  light  they 
jmight  throw  upon  the  formation  of  the  tell  wall.  At  an  early  stage  in 
the  development  of  the  embryo,  numerous  currents  were  observed  in  the 
protoplasm,  and  afterwards  a  net  work  of  threads  of  cellulose,  corres- 
ponding to  these  currents,  are  found,  resulting  from  the  gradual  change 
of  the  protoplasm  itself ;  these  continue  to  increase  in  thickness.  This 
formation  is  considered  analogous  to  that  of  the  outer  layer  of  the  pri- 
mordial utricle  from  the  inner  layer  of  the  same:  the  various  modifica- 
tions are  also  explained  by  the  supposition  of  the  existence  of  currents. 
The  gradual  formation  of  cellulose  threads  in  this  matter  is  considered 
conclusive  against  the  theory  that  the  cellulose  wall  is  a  secretion  of  the 
primordial  utricle. — Loud.  Cheni.  News,  Aptil  9,  18G4. 
Preserva'ion  of  Wood. — The  following  composition  is  recommended  to 
protect  the  bottom  of  posts,  palings,  and  tubs  set  in  the  earth: — Forty 
paits  of  chalk  are  added  to  fifty  parts  of  resin  and  four  parts  of  linseed 
oil,  melted  together  in  an  iron  pot.  One  part  of  native  oxide  of  copper 
is  then  added,  and  one  part  of  sulphuric  acid  is  cautiously  stirred  in. 
The  mixture  is  applied  hot  with  a  strong-  brush,  and  forms,  when  dry,  a 
varnish  as  hard  as  stone. —  Loud.  Chem.  News,  April  9,  18G4,  from  Neues 
Jahrb.  fur  Pharm.,  bd.  xx.,  s.  235. 
New  Me'hod  of  Coloring  Woods. — The  surface  to  he  colored  is  smeared 
with  a  strong  solution  of  permanganate  of  potash,  which  is  left  on  a 
longer  or  shorter  time,  according  to  the  shade  required.  In  most  cases 
five  minutes  suffice.  Cherry  and  pear-tree  woods  are  most  easily  attacked, 
but  a  few  experiments  will  serve  to  show  the  most  favorable  circumstances. 
The  woody  fibr  e  decomposes  the  perm  mg  mate,  precipitating  protoxide  of 
mangstnes.e,  which  is  fixed  in  the  fibre  by  the  potash  simultaneously  set 
free.  When  the  action  is  ended,  the  wood  is  carefully  washed,  dried,  and 
afterwards  oiled  and  polished  in  the  ordinary  way.  The  effect  of  this 
treatment  on  many  woods  is  said  to  be  sur  prising,  particularly  on  cherry 
wood,  to  which  a  very  beautiful  reddnh  tone  is  communicated.  The 
color  is  in  all  cases. permanent  in  light  and  air. — Load.  Chem.  News,  April 
23,  1804,  from  Dr.  Wiedeihold,  Neues  Gewerb.  fur  Kurhessen,  1863, 
s.  194. 
Black  Dye  for  Kid  Gloves.  —  Dissolve  ten  kil.  of  red  chromate  of  potash 
in  a  sufficient  quantity  of  hot  water,  and  gradually  add  potasjr  until  the 
liquid  no  longer  reddens  litmus;  then  spread  with  a  sponge,  as  a  dye, 
this  sulutiou  of  chromute  of  potash  on  the  skin,    Besides  this,  there  should 
