Skip to main content

Full text of "The American monthly microscopical journal"

See other formats 


This  is  a  digital  copy  of  a  book  that  was  preserved  for  generations  on  library  shelves  before  it  was  carefully  scanned  by  Google  as  part  of  a  project 
to  make  the  world's  books  discoverable  online. 

It  has  survived  long  enough  for  the  copyright  to  expire  and  the  book  to  enter  the  public  domain.  A  public  domain  book  is  one  that  was  never  subject 
to  copyright  or  whose  legal  copyright  term  has  expired.  Whether  a  book  is  in  the  public  domain  may  vary  country  to  country.  Public  domain  books 
are  our  gateways  to  the  past,  representing  a  wealth  of  history,  culture  and  knowledge  that's  often  difficult  to  discover. 

Marks,  notations  and  other  marginalia  present  in  the  original  volume  will  appear  in  this  file  -  a  reminder  of  this  book's  long  journey  from  the 
publisher  to  a  library  and  finally  to  you. 

Usage  guidelines 

Google  is  proud  to  partner  with  libraries  to  digitize  public  domain  materials  and  make  them  widely  accessible.  Public  domain  books  belong  to  the 
public  and  we  are  merely  their  custodians.  Nevertheless,  this  work  is  expensive,  so  in  order  to  keep  providing  this  resource,  we  have  taken  steps  to 
prevent  abuse  by  commercial  parties,  including  placing  technical  restrictions  on  automated  querying. 

We  also  ask  that  you: 

+  Make  non-commercial  use  of  the  files  We  designed  Google  Book  Search  for  use  by  individuals,  and  we  request  that  you  use  these  files  for 
personal,  non-commercial  purposes. 

+  Refrain  from  automated  querying  Do  not  send  automated  queries  of  any  sort  to  Google's  system:  If  you  are  conducting  research  on  machine 
translation,  optical  character  recognition  or  other  areas  where  access  to  a  large  amount  of  text  is  helpful,  please  contact  us.  We  encourage  the 
use  of  public  domain  materials  for  these  purposes  and  may  be  able  to  help. 

+  Maintain  attribution  The  Google  "watermark"  you  see  on  each  file  is  essential  for  informing  people  about  this  project  and  helping  them  find 
additional  materials  through  Google  Book  Search.  Please  do  not  remove  it. 

+  Keep  it  legal  Whatever  your  use,  remember  that  you  are  responsible  for  ensuring  that  what  you  are  doing  is  legal.  Do  not  assume  that  just 
because  we  believe  a  book  is  in  the  public  domain  for  users  in  the  United  States,  that  the  work  is  also  in  the  public  domain  for  users  in  other 
countries.  Whether  a  book  is  still  in  copyright  varies  from  country  to  country,  and  we  can't  offer  guidance  on  whether  any  specific  use  of 
any  specific  book  is  allowed.  Please  do  not  assume  that  a  book's  appearance  in  Google  Book  Search  means  it  can  be  used  in  any  manner 
anywhere  in  the  world.  Copyright  infringement  liability  can  be  quite  severe. 

About  Google  Book  Search 

Google's  mission  is  to  organize  the  world's  information  and  to  make  it  universally  accessible  and  useful.  Google  Book  Search  helps  readers 
discover  the  world's  books  while  helping  authors  and  publishers  reach  new  audiences.  You  can  search  through  the  full  text  of  this  book  on  the  web 

at  http  :  //books  .  google  .  com/| 


The  American 

Mon  thly  Microscopical  Journal 


5- A     >^)2ri^/ 


HARVARD  UNIVERSITY 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology 


r 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE  AMERICAN 


MONTHLY 


Microscopical  Journal 


CONTAINING 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  BIOLOGY. 


X)oIume   \8, 


FOR 


1(897 


^ownbeb  1880,  by  H-  E^ttcl^cock.    p^b^sl^e^  since  1887,  by 
(tljas.  ID.  Smilcy,  rOasl^ington,  J>.  (£.,  U.  S,  2I. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


0    ,^ 

■r 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


A  NEW  EDITION  OF 

^l\L.  iA£KTSON  St  SONS* 

Illustrated  Catalogue  of  Microscopes,  Objectives 
and  Accessories. 

Id  it  will  he  found  fully  de9cri1)e<l  all  the  latest  improveiuenta  and  designs 
of  the  Watson  Instruments,  also  many  new  kinds  ofawessories  inolndingthe 
following : 

A  SERIES  OF  NEW  PAKACHKOMATIC 

MICROSCOPIC    OBJECTIVES. 

These  lenses  will  he  found  to  i)osHess  lai-ge  apertures,  to  he  of  nniform  qual- 
ity, and  to  he  as  low  in  price  as  any  Ohjectives  in  the  market.  They  are 
constructed  almost  entirely  of  Jena  (ilass. 

The  following  are  8electe<l  from  the  Series 


POWER.           N.  A. 

PRICE. 

POWER. 

N.  A. 

PRICE 

1-2  inch            O.'M 

t{.2M 

2-3  in. 

0.28 

£1.5.0 

1-4  inch             O.m 

1.5.0 

l-(>  in. 

0.87 

1.10.0 

1-8  inch            O.HH 

2.0.0 

1-9  in. 

0.90 

..5.0 

Homogeneous  Immersion. 

1-8  inch            1-20 

4.15.0 

1-12  in. 

1.2,> 

5.0.0 

W.  WATSON  &  SONS' 

New  "PARACHROMATIC"  Substage  Condenser. 

This  condenser  has  a  total  apertare  of  1.0  N.  A.,  has  an  extremely  large 
Aplanatic  Aperture,  exceeding  .90  N.  A.  Its  power  U  2-7  inch,  and  with 
the  front  lens  removed,  4.10  inch.  It  is  mounted  with  Iris  Diaphragm  and 
revolving  carrier  for  stops  lor  dark  ground  and  oblique  illumination.  The 
Iris  Diaphragm  is  divided  so  us  to  indicate  the  N.  A.  at  which  the  condenser 
is  employed.     The  diameter  of  the  back  lens  is  5-8  inch. 

PRICE   CO.MPLETE   4:8.15. 

APLANTIC  MAGNIFIERS. 

In  addition  to  W.  Watson  «S:  Sons'  well-known  regular  series  they  are 
working  Mr.  E.  M.  Nelson's  new  form,  maguitying  15  diameters,  which  givft* 
great  working  distance  and  large  a|)erture.  It  is  l)elieve<l  to  l)e  unequalled 
by  any  similar  lens  for  qualities. 

PRICE — in  (iermau  silver  mount,  pocket  form  15. H. 
For  dissecting,  in  wooden  box  14.0. 

The  above  catalogue  will  be  mailed  post-iVee  on  application. 
MICROSCOPIC  ORIECTS. 

Watson  &  Sons  h(»ld  a  stock  of  40,0(M)  specimen.^  all  of  the  highest  rlass, 
forming  undoubtedly  the  tinest  collection  in  the  world.  Pull  classitle<l  list 
forward  post-free  on  application  to 

W.  WATSON  St  SONS 

ESTABLISHED  1837) 
OPTICIANS  TO  H.  M.  (JOVERNMENT. 
313  High   Holborn,   Ix)ndon,  W.  C. ;  and  7H  Swanstou  Street,    Mellmurne, 

Australia. 
Awarded  38  (^old  and  other  medals  at  International  Exhibitions  including 
5  Highest  Awards  at  the  World's  Fair,  Chicago,  1H93.     2  Gold  Medals,  Paris 
Universal  Exhibition  1889  &c.  &c. 
NOTE — The  postage  on  letters  to  England  is  5  cents,  or  postal  cards  2  cents. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL. 

Contents  for  January,   1897. 

William  Cline  Borden,  M.  B.,  F.  R.  M.  S.     (With    frontiapiece) 1 

A  Simple  Means  of  Comparing  the   Apertures  of  Objectives.     Rawlings  :J 

The  Valne  of  Peroxide  of  Hydrogen  in  the  Preparation  of  Entire  Insects 

Uanaman 7 

Stndies  in   the  Elements  of  the  Anatomy  of  the  Lower    Vertebrates. 

Osborn 10 

Editorial. 

Peroxide  of  Hydrogen 25 

Microscope  Wanted 2r> 

Barbados  Earth t>5 

Richard  H.  Oakley  !>.-> 

M icRa*<a)i»icAL  Appakati's. 

Attachable  Mechanical  Stage   for  Microscopes   with  PI  lin  Stages  "2(1 

MlCKOHCOPn-AL  Manipi'lation. 

To  Distinguish  Guaiacol  from  Beech  wood  Creosote 27 

New  Method  of  Purifying  Water 27 

BA('TKRIOI.(KiY. 

The  Microbic  Character  of  Acute  Catarrhal  Otitis  Media 2^^ 

M I  ( '  R()S( "OP  It ^ A  L   SOC I KTI KS. 

Sheffield  Microscopical  Society 28 

Liverpool  Microscopical  Society    29 

Qnekett  Microscopical  Club 29 

Quekett  Microscopical  Clnb :iO 

MumoscoPicAL  Notes. 

Murder :U 

Distribution  of  Fungi  by  Snails  and  Toads 31 

Honey  Bee  Secretes  Fromic  A'.'id    .'U 

KKCKNT   Pl'RLICATIOXS. 

Mystic  Masonry  or  the  Symljols  ot  Freeuia.-onry   t-nd  the  (ireater 

Mysteries  of  Antiquity ;J2 


Digitized  by 


Google 


JUL    S      .e07 


Digitized  by 


Google 


DR,  W,  C,  BORDEN,  U,  S,  A, 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE    AMERICAN 

MONTHLY 

MICROSCOPICAL    JOURNAL. 

Vol.  XVIII.  JANUARY,  1897.  No.  1 


William  Cline  Borden,  M.  D.,  P.  R.  M.  S. 

CAPTAIN,  MEDICAL  DEPARTMENT,  U.  S.  ARMY. 

WITH  FRONTISPIECE. 

Dr.  Borden  was  bom  in  Watertown,  N.  Y.,  May  19, 
1858.  His  ancestry  is  American  since  1636  when  Rich- 
ard Borden,  known  in  the  family  annals  as  ''The  Emi- 
grant''emigrated  from  Borden,  Kent  County,  England, 
and  settled  at  what  is  now  Portsmouth,  Rhode  Island. 
From  there  his  direct  ancestors  moved  to  New  Jersey^ 
where  the  family  name  is  perpetuated  in  the  town  of 
Bordentown,  and  thence  to  New  York. 

His  early  education  was  in  the  public  schools,  later  he 
entered  the  Hungerford  Collegiate  Institute  at  Adams, 
N.  Y.,  and  there  pursued  an  elective,  academic  and 
scientific  course. 

In  1879,  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  and  March  15, 
1883,  he  received  the  degree  of  M.  D.,  graduating  from 
the  Medical  Department  of  the  Columbian  University, 
Washington,  D.  C.  A  few  months  later  he  passed  the 
examination  required  for  admission  to  the  Medical 
Department  of  the  United  KStates  Army  and  December  3, 
1883,  he  was  given  a  commission  as  Assistant  Surgeon 
with  the  rank  of  First  Lieutenant.  His  first  service  was 
in  the  Department  of  the  Platte  at  Fort  Bridger,  Wyom- 
ing, then  at  Fort  Douglas,  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah.  In  1888 
he  was  transferred  to  the  Department  of  Texas  and  pro- 
moted to  the  rank  of  Captain.  He  remained  in  Texas 
until  1891,  serving  at  San  Antonio,  Fort  Ringgold  and 
Fort  Davis,  when  he  was  ordered  to  Jackson  Barracks, 
New  Orleans,  Louisiana.  While  on  duty  there  he  was  sent 


Digitized  by 


Google 


2  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Jan. 

in  1892  for  temporary  duty  with  the  community  of  Apache 
Indians  held  as  prisoners  at  Mount  Vernon  Barracks, 
Alabama,  and  for  his  sanitary  work  with  these  Indians 
he  was  commended  in  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Surgeon 
General  of  the  Army  for  that  year.  Owing  to  the  high 
death  rate  of  these  Indians  from  tuberculosis,  he  became 
interested  in  their  vital  statistics  and  published  a  paper 
in  the  Boston  Medical  and  Surgical  Journal  entitled 
*'The  Vital  Statistics  of  an  Apache  Indian  Community" 
in  which  their  statistics  for  five  years  were  compiled, 
and  which  is  of  interest  as  probably  being  the  only 
accurate  vital  statistics  of  an  Indian  community  ever 
published. 

From  New  Orleans,  Dr.  Borden  was  transferred  to 
Fort  Adams,  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  and  from  there  to 
his  present  station,  Fort  Hnelling,  near  St.  Paul,  Min- 
nesota. 

Dr.  Borden  first  began  work  in  Microscopy  when  at- 
tending his  first  course  of  medical  lectures.  At  that 
time  a  three  years  graded  course  of  study  and  practical 
work  in  histology  and  pathology  were  required  but  in 
few  of  the  medical  colleges  of  the  United  States  of  which 
the  Columbian  University  was  one,  and  as  he  became 
interested  in  microscopical  work,  the  graded  course  gave 
him  more  time  to  follow  his  studies  in  that  line  than  was 
available  to  the  average  medical  student.  After  enter- 
ing the  Medical  Department  of  the  Army  he  continued 
his  microscopical  work  and  soon  began  work  in  photo- 
micrography. 

He  is  the  author  of  a  number  of  monographs  on  sub- 
jects connected  with  general  and  military  medicine, 
histology,  microscopical  technique,  photomicrography, 
and  photography,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Associations 
of  Military  Surgeons  of  the  United  States,  and  a  Fellow 
of  the  Royal  Microscopical  Society  of  England. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897.]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  3 

A  Simple  Means  of  Comparing  the  Apertures  of  Objectives. 

By  R.  B.  L.  RAWLINGS, 
NASHVIi,I<E,  TENN. 

While  the  subject  of  aperture  is  of  interest  to  every 
worker  who  prizes  his  objectives  and  wishes  to  under- 
stand their  exact  capacity,  the  high  price  of  the  Abbe 
Apertometer  leaves  the  great  majority  of  microscopists 
without  a  means  of  determining  aperture. 

From  numerous  tables  which  have  been  published  com- 
paring the  actual  aperture  of  lenses  with  what  is  claimed 
for  them,  it  is  seen  that  in  many  instances  the  perform- 
ance of  the  objective  cannot  be  what  is  claimed  for  it. 

A  search  amongst  the  catalogues  at  hand  of  several  of 
the  leading  opticians  of  the  world  fails  to  show  an  aper- 
tometer of  any  description  listed  in  any  of  them,  with 
the  single  exception  of  the  Abbe,  listed  by  Zeiss. 

While  the  idea  of  the  arrangement  in  the  experiment 
below  detailed  is  suggested  from  a  study  of  the  Abbe 
form  of  apertometer,  it  is  essentially  different  in  half  the 
technique. 

For  the  benefit  of  those  who  are  not  familiar  with  the 
instrument  and  in  the  hope  that  I  may  make  the  proposed 
modification  plainer,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  attempt  a 
short  explanation  of  its  working,  particularly  as  this  is 
not  done  in  the  Zeiss  catalogue. 

It  consists  essentially  of  (a)  an  auxiliary  objective  and 
(b)  the  plate  glass  semicircular  and  prismatic  disc. 

The  objective  has  a  focal  distance  of  about  3  inches,  is 
mounted  with  a  society  screw  and  has  screwed  in  the 
upper  part  of  the  mounting  a  cylinder  with  a  small 
diaphram  in  its  upper  end. 

This  objective  is  to  be  screwed  into  the  lower  end  of 
the  draw  tube  after  the  objective  to  be  examined  has  been 
focussed  on  the  disc,  care  being  used  not  to  disturb  the 
focal  arrangement  of  the  objective  in  the  nose  piece.  Its 
purpose  is  for  the  reading  of  the  indices.     The  draw  tub^ 


Digitized  by 


Google 


4  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Jan. 

thus  equipped  is  the  auxiliary  microscope. 

The  disc  (b)  is  of  plate  glass  and  is  placed  on  the  stage 
of  the  microscope.  It  is  semicircular,  with  the  semicir- 
cular margin  vertical  and  polished,  as  are  all  its  surfaces; 
the  back  edge  is  ground  at  an  angle  of  45^,  base  of  the 
prism  upwards. 

The  upper  surface  has  two  sets  of  graduations  on  it, 
the  outer  circle  being  for  numerical  and  the  inner  for 
angular  aperture.  Corresponding  to  the  centre  of  the 
circle  is  the  small  perforated  silvered  disc,  mounted  under 
a  cover  glass,  and  through  which  the  image  of  the  indices 
is  observed.  Over  the  right-angled  margin  of  the  semi- 
circle, slide  two  L  shaped  indices  so  made  as  to  hang  on 
the  upper  edge  of  the  disc  and  lie  against  the  vertical 
margin.  The  light  horizontally  striking  the  vertical  edge 
of  the  plate  glass  disc  projects  the  images  of  the  indices 
on  the  margin  in  such  a  manner  that  they  appear  to  lie 
horizontally  along  the  diameter  of  the  semicircle  directly 
under  or  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  objective  according 
as  they  are  moved. 

The  indices  are  brought  near  the  centre  of  the  margin 
of  the  semicircle,  and  by  sliding  the  draw  tube  up  or 
down  within  the  body  tube  (care  being  taken  not  to  alter 
the  focus  of  the  objective  to  be  measured  which  has  been 
focussed  on  the  centre  of  the  silvered  perforated  disc 
previous  to  attachment  of  auxiliary  objective  to  draw 
tube)  a  sharp  image  is  obtained  of  the  indices.  They  are 
then  moved  around  one  on  each  side,  until  their  points  are 
barely  visible  within  the  circle  of  light.  The  reading  is 
then  made  direct  from  their  inner  edges  in  numerical  or 
angular  aperture  as  desired. 

For  the  experiment  herein  detailed,  a  substage  conden- 
ser and  iris  diaphram  are  necessary  accessories,  although 
one  may  proceed  in  a  crude  and  unsatisfactory  way  with- 
out the  latter. 

The  objectives  whose  apertures  are  to  be  compared,  are 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18»7.J         MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  S 

t^  be  examined,  beginning   with    the  lowest  angled  ones 
and  proceeding  upwards. 

With  the  tube  length  corresponding  to  the  correction 
of  the  objective  if  it  is  non-adjustable,  focus  the  objec- 
tive to  be  examined  on  the  upper  surface  of  the  conden^ 
ser.  Pressing  the  body  tube  against  the  rack  to  prevent 
alteration  of  the  focus,  unscrew  draw  tube  adapter  and 
remove  draw  tube.  Into  the  lower  end  of  the  draw  tube 
screw  a  3-inch  objective.  Replace  draw  tube  in  proper 
position.  This  forms  the  auxiliary,  observation  or  draw 
tube  microscope,  and  is  for  observing  an  image  at  its  focal 
distance  through  the  objective  under  observation  as  a 
medium  admitting  divergent  rays  of  light,  and  not  as  an 
objective. 

Reduce  the  aperture  in  iris  diaphram  of  substage  to 
lowest  size.  Pressing  body  tul  e  against  rack  as  before 
to  prevent  alteration  of  focus,  focus  the  draw  tube  by 
sliding  it  in  the  main  tube  sharply  on  opening  in  iris 
diaphram.  Then  open  diaphram  until  only  a  glimpse  of 
its  margin  can  be  seen.  The  diameter  of  the  opening 
thus  obtained  is  in  direct  ratio  to  the  angular  aperture  of 
the  objective.  Leaving  the  diaphragm  as  it  is,  repeat 
the  experiment  using  the  next  higher  objective  at  hand, 
remembering  in  every  instance  to  remove  the  draw  tube 
objective  and  focus  the  one  to  be  examined  on  the  top 
surface  of  condenser.  In  the  second  instance,  after  the 
draw  tube  microscope  has  been  focussed  on  the  diaphram, 
a  margin  will  remain.  Increase  opening  as  before  until 
only  a  line  of  the  margin  of  diaphragm  is  visible. 

The  experiment  may  be  repeated  on  higher  powers  un- 
til the  angle  of  aperture  of  the  condenser  system  is 
reached  or  approximated. 

While  any  great  alteration  in  the  focal  distance  of  ob- 
jective under  observation  will  cause  an  appreciable  error 
in  the  comparison,  a  considerable  range  is  allowable  with- 
out perceptible  difference.  Thus  the  experiment  may  be 
much  simplified  aud  yet  retain  its  accuracy    by  making 


Digitized  by 


Google 


6  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Jen. 

one  insertion  of  the  objective  in  the  draw  tube  answer  for 
the  examination  of  all  the  objectives,  without  its  having 
to  be  removed  for  each  time.  The  auxiliary  objective  is 
put  in  position,  the  one  to  be  examined  is  put  in  the  nose 
piece  and  its  focal  distance  approximated,  which  can 
usually  be  done  pretty  nearly  by  one  familiar  with  the 
objective. 

While  in  these  experiments  no  real  figures  can  be  got- 
ten at,  it  is  easily  within  the  power  of  the  maker  to 
supply  them  with  high  class  instruments  at  a  very 
moderate  price.  All  the  other  tests  of  an  objective  are 
within  easy  reach  of  the  worker,  why  should  not  this 
supreme  test  of  its  workmanship  also  be  within  his  reach? 

The  principle  that  the  maker  can  take  advantage  of  is 
this.  The  position  of  the  knob  which  regulates  the  supply 
of  light  through  the  diaphragm  is  of  course  directly  re- 
lative to  the  size  of  the  opening. 

Fitted  over  the  outer  collar  of  the  diaphragm  may  be 
attached  a  plate  extending  forward  two  inches,  being 
rounded  to  an  arc  of  80^ — 90°,  with  a  radius  which  would 
be  about  3  inches.  In  place  of  the  knob  used  to  regulate 
the  opening,  an  index  pointer  is  screwed  in  place.  The 
arc  is  so  graduated  as  to  indicate  the  aperture  of  the  ob- 
jective when  the  iris  diaphragm  has  been  viewed  and  ar- 
ranged as  above  stated. 

While  for  the  ordinary  worker  the  problem  of  gradu- 
ating this  arc  might  be  very  difficult,  owing  to  the  fact 
that  very  accurate  measurements  must  be  made  of  the 
diaphragm  opening,  the  refraction  of  light  through  two 
kinds  of  glass  with  a  spherical  triangle  of  air  interposing 
the  radius  of  the  part  of  the  condenser  used,  to  be  deter- 
mined, etc.,  to  the  practical  optician  such  calculations  are 
easy  enough. 

White's  Objects.— The  Central  Board  of  Kducation, 
Fifth  Avenue  High  School  Building,  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  has 
just  purchased  80  White  Objects  for  use  of  the  depart- 
ment of  biology,  Ed,  Rynearson,  teacher, 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897.J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  7 

The  Value  of  Peroxide  of  Hydrogen  w  the  Preparation,  of 
Entire  Insects. 

By  CHARLES  E.  HANAMAN, 

TROY,  N.  Y. 

The  use  of  peroxide  of  hydrogen  in  microscopical 
technic  has,  in  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  been  limited  to  the 
bleaching  of  sections  which  have  been  blackened  by  osmic 
acid  or  stained  green  by  chromic  acid  hardening  agents 
and  for  the  rapid  ripening  (by  oxidation)  of  haematoxy- 
lin  staining  fluids. 

The  usual  method  of  preparing  entire  insects  has  been 
to  remove  by  the  use  of  caustic  soda  or  potash  all  of  the 
soft  parts,  the  resulting  preparation  consisting  only  of 
the  exoskeleton.  Such  preparations  are  useful  for  the 
study  of  the  sclerites,  but  it  has  often  seemed  to  me  de- 
sirable to  make  preparations  which  would  show  the  rela- 
tion of  the  muscles  and  the  viscera  to  tbe  sclerites,  while 
all  the  parts  remained  in  situ.  Such  specimens  would  be 
especially  useful  for  comparison  with  sections  and  dis- 
sections of  other  specimens  of  the  same  insect. 

The  dark,  and  often  times  opaque,  color  of  the  chitin 
composing  the  exoskeleton  has  heretofore  prevented  the 
successful  making  of  preparations  of  this  kind  from  the 
majority  of  insects. 

Searching  for  some  method  by  which  the  opaque  chitin 
might  be  rendered  transparent  without  injury  to  the 
contained  soft  parts,  I  happened  to  think  of  peroxide  of 
hydrogen  and  I  believe  I  have  found  in  it  the  reagent  I 
was  seeking  for. 

To  illustrate  its  use,  and  perhaps  at  the  same  time  to 
aid  some  beginner  to  make  preparations  suitable  for  the 
study  of  insect  anatomy,  I  have  detailed  below  the  pre- 
paration of  a  common  house-fly;  it  being  the  insect  upon 
which  the  discovery  of  the  usefulness,  in  this  connection, 
of  the  peroxide  was  made. 

.  Permit  me  to  state  here,  that  my  microscopial  studies 
are  subject  to  frequent  and  sometimes  to  long  continued 
interruptions  from  business  causes,  and  that  nearly  all  of 


Digitized  by 


Google 


8  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Jan. 

my  work  is  done  in  the  evening,  so  that  the  intervals  be- 
tween the  operations,  described  below,  are  often  due  to 
such  interruptions  rather  than  to  their  being  necessarily 
required  by  the  process.  I  do  not  think,  however,  that 
anything  would  be  gained,  in  the  present  instance,  by 
shortening  any  of  the  intervals  given  below. 

The  fly  was  placed  under  a  bell-glass,  together  with  a 
piece  of  blotting  paper  which  had  been  saturated  with 
chloroform,  and  the  moment  the  insect  ceased  to  move, 
it  was  dropped  into  a  small  beaker  of  boiling  water,  the 
lamp  by  which  the  water  was  heated,  being  withdrawn 
the  moment  the  insect  entered  the  water;  this  was  done 
for  the  purpose  of  killing  and  fixing  the  soft  tissues,  heat 
being  the  only  successful  reagent  for  this  purpose,  ex- 
cepting in  cases  where  the  chitinous  integument  can  be 
slit  up  so  as  to  allow  the  entrance  of  a  liquid  fixing 
agent,  no  fixing  agent  excepting  heat  being  known  which 
will  penetrate  through  chitin  with  sufficient  rapidity  to 
fix  the  enclosed  protoplasm  before  post-mortem  changes 
have  begun.  The  moment  the  fly,  which  was  a  female, 
entered  the  water  the  proboscis  aud  the  ovipositor  were 
fully  protruded  and  extended,  and  remained  so  during 
the  succeeding  manipulations. 

The  insect  was  left  in  the  hot  water  for  about  five 
minutes  and  was  thoroughly  washed  in  it.  It  was  then 
placed  upon  a  small  piece  of  glass  (about  one  half  of  a 
mounting  slip)  and  the  legs,  wings,  etc.,  were  arranged 
so  as  to  afford  the  best  display,  another  piece  of  glass  of 
the  same  size  and  shape  as  the  first  was  placed  over  it, 
but  prevented  from  pressing  upon  the  specimen,  more 
than  just  enough  to  hold  it  in  place,  by  bits  of  glass,  of 
the  proper  thickness,  being  inserted  between  the  ends  of 
the  two  plates;  the  whole  was  then  bound  together  by 
means  of  thread  wound  around  them  and  dropped  into  a 
jar  of  30  p.  c.  alcohol  which  was  changed,  with  intervals 
of  twenty-four  hours  between  each  change,  to  40  p.c. — 
50  p.c. — 70  p.c. — 80  p.c.  and  95  p.c.  strength. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  J01?BKAL 

After  a  stay  of  several  days  in  the  alcohol  the  thread 
was  taken  off  and  the  fly  washed  in  fresh  alcohol,  from 
which  it  was  transferred  to  a  slender  dish  containing  18 
parts  of  95  p.c.  alcohol  and  2  parts  of  peroxide  of  hydro- 
gen, from  a  freshly  opened  bottle  of  Marchand's  solution. 

At  the  end  of  24  hours,  immersion  in  the  solution  the 
abdomen  of  the  insect  had  i^hitened  somewhat;  after 
another  24  hours  the  thorax  and  the  head  had  bleached 
perceptibly  and  the  eyes  were  seen  to  be  losing  their  red 
pigment.  The  specimen  was  now  left  for  48  hours 
longer,  and  at  the  end  of  this  time,  96  hours  from  its 
first  immersion  in  the  peroxide  solution,  the  whole  insert 
was  as  white  as  chalk. 

The  specimen  was  then  rapidly  washed  in  strong 
alcohol  and  placed  for  complete  dehydration  and  stain- 
ing at  the  same  time,  in  95  p.c.  alcohol  to  which  had  been 
added  1-20  p.c.  of  eosin,  this  staining  agent  being  the  one 
recommended  by  most  authorities  for  staining  through 
ebitin  on  account  of  its  great  power  of  penetration. 
After  remaining  for  24  hours  in  the  alcohol-eosin  bath  it 
was  rinsed  in  fresh  alcohol  and  placed  in  xylol  to  clear. 
In  an  hour's  time  the  whole  structure  had  cleared  per- 
fectly and  the  specimen  was  mounted  in  xylol-balsam  in 
a  xylonite  cell,  and  presented  a  moat  beautiful  and  in- 
teresting appearance  under  the  microscope. 

The  chitin  had  been  rendered  almost  as  transparent  as 
glassy  the  eosin  had  given  it  a  faint  rosy  tint. while  the 
spine  like  hairs  were  more  darkly  stained;  through  the 
transparent  but  very  evident  exoskeleton  were  to  be 
seen  the  muscles  and  their  attachments  and  much  of  the 
viscera;  the  abdomen  was  seen  to  be  filled  with  eggs,  ar- 
ranged in  two  rows  along  each  side  of  the  median  line 
of  the  dorsum,  the  embroyos  within  the  eggs  were  clearly 
visible,  the  chitinous  egg-shells  having  been  rendered 
very  transparent,  permitting  much  of  tjie  detail  of  the 
protoplasmic  structures  within  to  be  seen. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


10  THE  AJIEBICAN  MONTHLY  [Jao. 

Studies  in  the  Elements  of  the  Anatomy   of  the   Lower 

Vertebrates. 

By  henry  LESLIE  OSBORN, 

HAMLINR  UNIVKIWITY,  8T.  PAUL,  MINN. 

PART  n. 

THB  TAILED  AMPHIBIAN. 

Ambiystoma  iigrinum^  The  Salamander. 
CONTENTS. 
1.  External  Anatomy.  9.  The  Uro-Genital  System. 

%  The  Head  and  Throat.  10.  The  Mnscnlar  System. 

3    The  Brain.  II.  Fine  Struct  are  of  Muscle. 

4.  The  Body-Cavity.  12.  The  Nervous  System. 

5.  The  Heart.  13.  The  Axial  Skeleton. 

6.  System.  14.  The  Skeleton  of  the  Limhs. 

7.  The  Alimentary  System.  15.  The  Skull. 

8.  The  Lungs. 

frhis  (liscri[itiod  is  dr^twu  directly  from  Ambiystoma 
tigrinum,  a  species  that  is  abundant  in  the  outskirts  of 
8aiat  Paul,  e.specially  in  the  Autumn  m'onths  during 
damp  Weather.  It  will  apply  to  any  of  the  urodeles  welt 
enough  for  the  purposes  of  a  guide;  aud  can  be  used  for 
'the  frog,  though  witK  eonsiderable  modifications,  especi- 
aily  fot  'the  skeleton  of  the  body.] 

*    1..     texTKRtfAE  ANATOMY. — The  characteristic  external 
''  fe'aiiires  as  fbund  in  the  liigher  vertebrates   are    readily 
"  eeeii;  Viz:  a  divisiohof  the  body    into    head^    neck^    trunk 
^ndi  ^ost-abdomen\  the  presence  of  an  anterior  and  a  pos- 
terior \\mh.     Exarhine  these  and  note  in  each  three  prin- 
cipal regions:  upper y  middle  and  lower  which    are    similar 
'in  all  but  not  precisely  the  same.     Of  the  front  limb   the 
lipper  region  is  called  the  ^r^z^/w^w,  the  middle   the  ante- 
brachium^  and  the  lower  the  manus  which  is  again  divided 
into:  thie  carpui  or  wrist  BLud  the  digits.     The  hind  limb  in 
a  similar  manner  presents:  the  t/tigh,  the  crus  and  the  pes^ 
Which  18  divided  into  the  tarsus,  and  digits.     How  do  these 
regions  compare  as  to  length?     What  differences  do  you 
find  between  the  manus  and  the  pes?     How  do  the  limbs 
compare  with  those  of  the  frog?     Do  you   recognize   the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  11 

same  regioDs  in  the  limbs  of  all  the  vertebratesP  Note, 
that  the  shape  of  tlu  body  is  that  of  a  fish  as  to  the  post- 
aldomeo  which  is  compressed  and  used  in  swimming 
when  the  animal  is  in  the  water,  while  anteriorly  the 
head  and  to  a  less  degree  the  trunk  are  flattened  from 
above  downward,  in  relation  to  terrestrial  life.  Study 
the  disUibution  of  color  noting  the  general  naked  skin 
black  in  color,  with  yellow  spots;  note  that  in  some  cases 
the  patterns  of  the  right  and  left  sides  seem  to  abruptly 
stop  in  the  middle  dorsal  line.  In  the  larger  specimens 
there  are  no  traces  of  median  fins  but  in  younger  speci- 
mens even  though  they  have  attained  considerable  size 
and  are  living  on  land  there  are  sometimes  decided  in- 
dications of  the  dorsal  fin;  and  in  occasional  large  speci- 
mens there  are  decided  vestiges  of  gills.  If  it  is  possi- 
ble you  should  observe  the  locomotion  of  the  animal:  on. 
land  by  running  on  the  legs  with  extreme  bendings  of 
the  body  in  the  same  lines  as  in  swimming:  in  the  water 
commonly  by  walking  but  when  excited  by  swimming, 
in  which  case  the  limbs  are  entirely  unused.  Compare 
the  external  form  with  that  of  other  vertebrates,  as 
you  did  in  studying  the  fish. 

2.  Thb  Head  is  divisible  into  a  er/j«/«w,  which  ; 
hardly  appears  externally;  and  \X\^  face^  which  both  in 
front  and  on  the  side  and  below  composes  the  bulk  of  the 
head,  Note  the  rounded  front  and  broad  flat  hinder  part 
of  the  head  and  the  very  large  gape  of  the  mouth  which 
literally  opens  from  ear  to  ear.  Observe  and  locate  the 
two  nostrils  anteriornares\  cut  away  the  skin  behind  one 
and  find  the  nose  chamber;  explore  its  boundaries,  note 
its  smooth  mucous  lining,  olfactory  mucous  membrane;  hnA. 
in  the  outer  and  hinder  angle  note  the  posterior  nares; 
pass  a  bristle  through  this  and  note  that  it  emerges  in 
the  mouth  chamber.  Examine  the  eyes,  as  to  location, 
size  and  shape.  Do  you  find  lidst  Cut  away  the  surround- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


12  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Jan. 

ing  tissue?  and  display  the  €ye-ball\  recognize  the  various 
partsaud  corajmre  ihem  with  those  of  the  smelt.  Cut 
away  the  skin  and  muscle  ironi  the  dorsal  hinder  sur'ace 
of  tlie  heid.  You  will  thus  be  able  to  find  the  bouy  brain^ 
case  in  the  middle  and  hinder  part,  and  on  eilherside  be- 
hind a  lateral  bony  extension  lodging  the  car-capsule. 
Pro  n  tliia  the  baaas  of  the  upp^r  jaw  run  forward  tj  meet 
in  the  middle  line  in  front. 

The  lower  jaw  articulates  with  the  upper  near  the 
ears.  The  ^-^rdoes  not  show  externally  in  the  salamander 
but  it  does  in  the  frog  in  the  form  of  a  rounded  piece  the 
tympanum.  Cut  into  the  ear  capsule  and  yon  will  find 
some  of  the  parts  of  the  ear,  for  a  detailed  description  of 
which  a  more  extended  woik  must  be  consulted.  Open 
the  mouth  widely  and  examine  its  interior.  Are  there  any 
teeth?  If  so  where  and  of  what  form  and  number? 
Note  the  large  and  fleshy  tongue^  what  is  its  shape  and 
mod^  of  attachment?  The  narrow  slit  back  of  the  tongue 
is  the  glottis  it  leads  into  the  wind  pipe.  Note  at  the 
back  of  the  mouth  chamber  the  opening  of  the  gullet;  as 
in  the  fish  there  is  no  distinct  throat:  The  hinder  part  of 
the  mouth  chamber  is  the  equivalent  of  the  throat;  and 
in  younger  specimens  its  walls  are  perforated  and  allow 
water  to  pass  out  over  gills  which  at  that  time  are  pre- 
sent  and  used  for  respiration  as  in  the  fish.  (In  some 
urodeles  the  gills  and  fins  persist  through  life  e.  g., 
Necturus), 

3.  Thb  Brain. — Cut  away  the  cranial  bones  dorsally, 
noting  that  they  form  a  thin  layer  covering  a  capsule  of 
cartilage  which  immediately  encloses  the  brain.  In  re- 
moving the  bones  to  display  the  brain  be  very  careful 
not  to  injure  the  latter.  The  situation  of  the  brain 
should  be  first  noted  in  the  hinder  part  of  the  head;  its 
relation  to  the  sense  organs  should  be  ascertained  and 
the  facts  recorded.     Study  the  difi*erent   principal    parts 


Digitized  by 


Google 


i8»7j  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  13 

,of  the  brain  comparing  them  with  the  fish  as  you  progress. 
.TUe  medulla  oblongata  is  most  jjosterior  and  is  seen  to  be 
A  continuation  of  the  tissae  of  the  spinal  cord.  On  its 
•dorsal  side  there  is  a  considerable  open  space.  Crossing 
-which  and  in  front  of  it  is  a  narrow  cerebellum.  Directly 
in  front  of  these  is  a  rounded  mass  (apparently  single 
but  really  paired)  the  optic  lobes\  and  in  front  of  tliese 
again  are  two  elongate  masses  the  two  cerebral  hemispheres. 
They  are  attached  behind  through  thecrnracerehri  wiii<:h 
run  under  the  optic  lobes  to  the  medulla;  there  is  no 
transverse  nervous  connection  between  the  two  hemis- 
pheres (corpus  callosum  of  the  higher  vertebrates).  In 
recognizing  these  parts  you  will  probably  see  some  of 
the  cranial  nerves  running  from  the  brain  chiefly  from 
the  medulla  to  various  parts  of  the  head. 

4.  The  Body  Cavity. — Locate  the  wall  of  the  body 
•cavity.  It  is  limited  posteriorly  by  the  cloaca,  behind 
the  level  of  the  hind  legs.  Note  the  regular  cross  fold- 
ings in  the  side  wall  of  the  body;  they  are  indications  of 
the  limits  of  the  sets  of  muscle  libres  in  the  wall,  and  are 
perhaps  homologous  with  the  myotomes  in  the  fish.  Cut 
the  wall  of  the  body  cavity  open  and  find  the  cavity 
within,  draw  the  skin  aside  and  note  the  pigmented 
peritoneum  which  lines  the  space.  Follow  the  cut  lorwatd 
and  as  you  reach  the  level  of  the  front  limbs  note  and  dis- 
sect out  the  two  pieces  of  cartihige  which  overlap  in  the 
jnidventral  line,  they  are  the  coracoid  cartilages.  Draw 
them  aside  and  pin  them  out  of  the  way.  They  will  be 
jBtudied  latter  in  connection  with  the  front  limb. 

Cut  away  the  coracoid  cartilages  and  continue  to  open 
jthe  body  cavity  forward  to  the  throat.  Follow  it  back- 
ward toward  the  cloaca,  in  doing  so  you  will  come  to  a 
similar  ventral  arch  helping  to  hold  the  hind  leg  in  place; 
note  that  it  is  bony,  dissect  off  the  muscles  and  skin  so 
as  to  disclose  the  pair  of  bones,  and  cut   between  them; 


Digitized  by 


Google 


14       ,  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Jan. 

push  them  aside  and  pin  down,  so  as  to  fully  open  the 
cavity.  Note  that  there  is  no  diaphragm  subdividing  the 
body' cavity  into  thorax  and  abdomen;  note  also  the 
mesentery f  its  thin  delicate  texture,  and  its  continuation 
out  onto  the  body  wall  where  it  passes  insensibly  into  the 
peritoneal  lining.  In  dissecting  the  contents  of  the  body 
cavity  do  not  cut  any  of  the  organs  away,  till  after  you 
have  located  and  examined  the  relations  of  them  all; 
merely  dissect  them  apart,  and  push  them  aside  to  see 
underlying  ones.  After  all  the  points  have  been  noted 
you  can  then  cut  out  such  as  are  necessary. 

5.  The  Heart  is  located  in  the  neck  very  close  be- 
hind the  head;  it  is  next  the  ventral  body  wall  and  in 
front  of  the  level  of  the  anterior  limbs.  In  the  construc- 
tion of  its  interior  it  is  also  intermediate  between  the 
dingle  circulation  ty[)e  as  in  the  smelt  and  the  complete 
double  circulation  of  the  bird  or  mammal.  Remove  the 
pericardium\  this  will  enable  you  to  see  the  different  parts 
of  the  heart  and  some  of  its  large  communicating  vessels. 
There  is  in  front  a  pair  of  aortic  arches  which  lead  out 
from  a  distinct  bulbus  arteriosus.  Posterior  to  the  bulbua 
is  the  single  ventricle^  it  lies  on  the  right  side  and  some- 
what ventrally  to  the  auricles.  There  are  two  auricles; 
the  veins  from  the  body  at  large  empty  into  the  right 
auricle;  the  blood  from  the  lungs  empties  into  the  left 
auricle.  If  the  specimen  is  in  a  suitable  condition  cut 
the  chambers  open  and  using  a  probe  carefully  trace  their 
connections  both  with  each  other  and  with  the  large 
communicating  blood  vessels.  Both  auricles  open  into  the 
single  ventricle  (but  in  such  a  manner  as  to  send  the  best 
aerated  blood  to  the  headland  the  poorest  to  the  posterior 
parts  of  the  body). 

[6.  The  Vascular  System, — can  only  be  adequately 
dissected  upon  an  injected  specimen,  but  an  outlinQ^ 
description  is  included  here  for  convenience  and   a  good 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICEOSCOPICAL  JOUKNAL.  15 

many  of  the  vessels  can  be  found.  A  single  pair  of 
aortic' arches  pass  dorsally  from  the  bulb  and  meet,  as  'iik 
the  ILsh,  to  form  the  dorsal  aorta  which  then  rnns  dOwii 
the  body  cavity  in  itH  dorsal  wall  and  beyond  into'  the 
post  abdomen.  Partial  additional  arches  can  be  tracr<l 
(in  the  frog)  which  lead  out  from  the  bulbas  to  the  head 
carotids  and  to  the  luhgs  pulmonary  arteries^  sub-clavion^ 
pass  from  the  dorsal  aorta  into  the  arras;  in  the  trunk 
region  there  are  coeliacy  mesenteric  e^ud  still  more  ponter- 
iorly  r^«^/ arteries;  at  the  level  of  the  hind  limbs  there 
are  iliac  arteries  going  into  them  from  the  dorsal  aortn; 
there  is  an  artery  running  in  the  skin  cutaneous^  it  ariHe» 
from  the  subclavian  and  also  from  the  iliac.  Veins  from 
the  kidneys  renal  veins  coml  ine  to  form  a  vessel  the  post- 
caval vein  (posterior  vena  cava)  which  rnns  close  below 
the  back-bone  directly  forward  and  into  the  hinder  side 
of  the  right  auricle.  It  receives  vessels  from  the  livery 
hepatic  vein^  but  none  from  the  stomach  or  intestines. 
The  blood  from  the  iliac  system,  and  muscles  and  skin  of 
the  post-abdomen  is  collected  into  a  vessel  of  importance 
in  tha  amphibia  but  of  minor  significance  in  the  higher 
vertebrates,  the  anterior  abdominal  vein;  it  runs  in  the 
mid-ventral  line  closely  related  to  the  skin  there,  and 
enters  the  hinder  side  of  the  liver  where  its  capillaries 
anastomose  with  those  from  the  portal  vein.  The  blood 
from  the  anterior  parts  of  the  body  returns  to  the  heart 
through  jugular  and  sub-clavian  veins^  which  contribute  to 
form  the  pre-caval  vein^  entering  the  right  j.uricl^^.: 
Thus  all  the  systemic  blood  is  returned  to  the  right 
auricle.  The  blood  from  the  lungs,  is  returned  to  the 
left  auricle  by  pulmonary  vetns.] 

7.  The  Alimentary  Viscera. — The  liver  is  the  most 
noticeable  organ  of  the  system;  it  lies  in  the  mid-ventral 
line  directly  behind  the  heart,  and  reaches  back  more 
than  half  way  down  the  body  cavity.     On  its  posterior 


Digitized  by 


Google 


16  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Jan. 

border  the  £^al/ Madder  can  be  seen.  By  drawing  the 
liver  a^ide,  the  ^^//r/ ean  be  aeen  dorsally  to  the  heart; 
the  s/ofMoc/i  is  a  fusiform  enlargement  in  the  course  of  the 
alimentary  tube  which  passes  insensibly  into  the  smaU 
intestine.  The  latter  is  somewhat  longer  than  the  body 
cavity  and  hence  is  windiDg  in  its  course;  the  mesentery 
can  be  seen  clearly  on  its  dorsal  side  and  ported  vessels  kt% 
recognizable.  At  the  upper  end  of  the  small  intes- 
tine you  can  find  the  bile-duct  running  into  it  from  the 
j;Hll-bladder;  and  in  the  mesentery  near  by  there  is  a  dif- 
fused mass  of  pancreatic  tissue^  whose  ducts  open  into 
the  small  intestine.  The  large  intertine  directly  follows 
the  small  intestine,  is  not  sub-divided  into  parts  but  has 
the  form  of  a  short  rectum  passing  directly  to  the 
cloaca,. 

8.  The  Lungs  are  a  pair  of  elongate,  slender  thin- 
walled  sacks;  blind  posteriorly,  they  come  together  in 
front  and  above  the  heart  where  they  open  into  a  passage 
which  leads  to  \\vq glottis  already  noted  in  the  hinder  part 
of  the  mouth  chamber  just  behind  the  tongue.  In  the 
higher  vertebrates  this  air  tube  (tracliaed)  is  lined  with 
cartilage,  but  it  does  not  appear  to  be  so  in  the  sala- 
mander. The  passage  can  be  demonstrated  by  passing 
a  guarded  bristle  down  through  the  glottis.  The  lungs 
should  be  cut  open  to  show  that  the  interior  is  a  very 
simple  sack  with  ohly  a  beginning  of  that  elaborate  sub- 
division into  spaces  found  in  the  mammal.  The  walls 
are  reddish,  this  indicates  the  presence  of  blood  vessels 
in  contrast  with  the  colorless  wall  of  the  swim  bladder 
of  the  smelt;  but  to  prove  that  the  wall  is  vascular  mount 
a  thin  film  of  it  and  examine  with  the  corapohnd  micro- 
scope.    Do  you  find  any  blood  corpuscles  there? 

[This  and  the  reptilian  lung  are  simple  conditions  of  the 
lung  of  which  the  bird  and  mammal  lung  are  very  highly 
s  >ectalized  conditions.     The  circulation    and    resf>iratioQ 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  IT 

^f  the  adult  Amphibian  are  decidedly  diflferent  from  thai 
of  the  yoQug:  iu  the  latter  the  blood  is  pumped  through 
gill*  and  thence  directly  to  the  l>ody,  a»in  the  fish  so  that 
the  circulation  in  a  "»inele  circnlalion,"  with  the  loss  of 
the  gilU  after  the  maturity  has  been  reached  the  double 
4»rcuIatton,  and  respiration  as  here  described,  are  estab- 
lished. In  reptiles,  birds  and  mammals  the  same  is  true 
of  the  circulation  but  in  their  cases  the  single  circulation 
is  confined  to  stages  that  precede  free  and  independent 
life,  i.  e.,  are  purely  embryonic.  (In  some  amphibia  e.g. 
Ncciurus  respiration  is  both  pulmonary  and  branchial 
throughout  life.] 

9.  The  Uro-Genital  System. — Cut  off  and  remove 
the  various  viscera  already  examined  (after  making 
drawings  necessary  to  record  the  facts)  taking  care  not 
to  damage  the  remaining  organs  in  the  body  cavity.  The 
reproductive  organs  vary  considerably  with  sex  and  sea- 
Ben.  In  the  breeding  season  the  ovaries  are  filled  with 
black  <g-^j  which  are  greatly  in  the  way  in  dissecting, 
and  the  oviduct  i.s  much  enlarged  by  the  formation  of  the 
large  amounts  of  albuminous  matter  in  which  the  eggS 
are  <*laid.'*  These  latter  will  not  of  course  be  confused 
with  the  alimentary  tube  by  a  careful  dissector.  The 
paired  kidneys  are  divided  into  two  parts:  a  hinder  por- 
tion of  more  compact  texture  meta-nephros,  lying  near  to 
the  cloaca  and  next  the  dorsal  body  wall;  and  in  front  of 
this  a  long  mesonephric  part  which  runs  forward  on  either 
Bi<le  and  reaches  the  anterior  level  of  the  body  cavity, 
felose  to  the  dorsal  l»ody  wall.  There  \^^  urinary  bladder) 
It  irt  thiri-walled,and  located  below  the  rectum  between 
it  and  the  body  wall,  in  the  most  posterior  part  of  the 
body  cavity.  Its  size  varies  greatly  in  different  speci- 
mens. Ducts  (ureters)  from  the  kidneys  lead  into  it  and 
there  is  a  passage  urethra  leading  from  it  to  the  cloaca. 

The  ureters  yvi^B  down  on  the  outer  side  of  each  meso- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18  THE  AMEEICAN  MONTHLY  [Jbd. 

and  meta-nephros;  in  some  cases  they  are  very  conspicu'^ 
ous;  they  unite  below  the  meta-nei>hros  to  form  a  single 
pHssage  which  leads  into  the  bladder  on  each  side.  la 
the  liigher  vertebrates  the  kidney  is  a  compact  organ  and 
the  ducts  coming  from  its  various  parts  all  unite  to  form 
the  single  ureter  before  they  leave  the  boundary  of  the 
organ. 

The  spermary  in  male  specimens  is  a  compact  organ  OD 
the  level  of  the  meso-neidiros;  its  ducts  pass  into  the 
ducts  from  the  meso-nephros  and  thus  reach  the  exterior 
through  the  ureter*;  in  the  female  there  is  a  duct  ovi  duct 
which  lies  besitle  the  ureter,  and  is  separate  from  it^thia 
runs  way  forward  to  the  neck  where  it  opens  by  a  broad 
funnel  shaped  orifice  directly  into  the  body  cavity;  near 
this  opening  of  the  ovi-duct  lies  a  large  gbindular  organ 
the  ovary^  the  ova  when  they  escape  from  the  ovary  find 
their  way  inio  the  oviduct  at  its  open  end  and  then  collect 
there  to  produce  the  appearance  described  in  the  begin- 
ning of  this  -paragraph.  They  Anally  escape  through 
the  cloaca  into  which  the  ovi-duct  ultimately  opens. 

10.  The  Muscular  System. — The  skin  should  be  re- 
moved from  the  body  and  at  least  one  of  the  limbs  to  de- 
termine the  following  points;  the  muscle  libres  will  show 
much  more  distinctly  after  preservation  in  alcohol  or 
after  boiling.  The  system  as  a  whole  includes:  the 
muscles  connected  with  the  viscera  involuntary  muscles i 
and  the  muscles  attaching  to  the  skelton  and  used  in 
changing  the  form  and  position  of  the  body,  skeletal  mu9^ 
cles.  Of  these  latter  we  may  distinguish  those  of  the 
kead,  and  those  of  the  (rest  of  the)  6ody.  It  is  to  the  lat- 
ter that  the  present  study  is  mainly  confined.  Two 
kinds  are  reconizable :  those  of  the  spine  used  in  pro* 
ducing  the  bendings  of  the  back-bone,  spinal  muscles;  and 

^Besides  the  spermary  there  it  generany  in  the  males  a  oncan  on  eadk 
side  resembling  is  bat  composed  mainly  of  fat  called  thecorpns  adiposom. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICEOSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  19 

the  /imb  muscles.  The  spinal  muscles  are  plainly  homo* 
logons  with  those  of  the  teleost;  for  they  are  similarly 
located.  In  the  post- abdomen  they  make  up  the  bulk  of 
the  flesh  and  are  closely  related  to  neural  and  haemal 
spines ;  and  in  the  trunk  they  are  related  to  neural  spines 
dorsally  while  veutrally  they  compose  a  large  portion  of 
the  wall  of  the  body  cavity.  They  are  also  segmented, 
each  myotome  being  made  up  of  short  fibres  parallel  in 
their  arrangement  and  corresponding  precisely  with  the 
number  of  the  vertebrae.  The  limb  muscles  are  rela- 
tively insignificant  in  the  salamander  whose  limbs  are 
small,  though  really  much  used,  but  they  are  homologous 
with  the  very  important  limb  muscular  system  as  it 
exists  in  its  highly  elaborate  state  in  the  mammals.  The 
exact  identification  of  the  musclosof  the  limb  will  hardly 
be  possible  in  this  course,  but  a  number  of  points  can  le 
made  out.  The  muscles  are  seen  to  consist  of  a  muscr- 
lar  central  portion  the  belly,  and  at  the  end  a  tendon 
which  in  some  cases  is  quite  long. 

The  muscles  have  two  points  of  attachment,  one  the 
origin  nearer  the  back-bone;  a  distal  one  the  insertion  farr 
ther  from  the  spine.  The  shortening  of  the  muscle 
causes  it  to  pull  on  its  tendon  and  thus  to  move  the 
bones  on  their  joints.  The  muscles  are  placed  on  oppo- 
site S'ides  of  the  limb  so  that  some  bend  ox  flex  it,  while 
others  antagonize  these  and  extend \t  again. 

11.  Fine  Structure  of  Striated  Muscle. — Cut  out 
one  of  the  small  muscles  of  the  limb,  place  it  on  a  slide, 
surround  it  with  glycerine,  tease  it  carefully  into  ita 
component  fibres,  taking  care  not  to  twist  them;  after 
spreading  the  muscle  out  as  well  as  possible,  cover  and 
examine  with  a  low  power.  You  can  now  recognize  more 
clearly  that  the  organ  is  made  up  of  parallel  short  pieces, 
imbedded  in  a  network  of  minute  fibres  of  white  fibrous 
connective  tissue^  trace  these  latter  toward  the  tendon  e^n^ 


Digitized  by 


Google 


20  THE  AMEBICAN  MONTHLY  [Jan. 

-note  that  they  aloDe  composie  it,  the  muscle  fibres  dis- 
appearing at  the  end.  Examine  single  fibres  with  % 
high  power,  and  recognize,  that  they  are  composed  of 
at  ill  smaller  y^rr/Za^  which  run  lengthwise  in  the  fibre; 
that  there  is  a  sheath  enclosing  the  fibre,  sarcolemma\  that 
the  fibrillae  are  marked  with  lines  crossing  them  at  equal 
.distances,  and  that  this  gives  to  the  fibre  a  cross-mark- 
ing, j/r/^it^//.  Directly  beneath  the  snrcolemma  there  are 
'elongate  granular  cell-nuclei^  these  may  not  be  easily  rec- 
ognized in  the  glycerine  preparation  unstained.  If  so 
atain  a  second  preparation  before  the  application  of  gly- 
cerine with  borax  carmine,  decolorize  wiih  acidulated 
alcohol  and  examine  small  fibres  for  nuclei,  note  their 
exact  size  and  position  with  reference  to  the  fibre. 

12.  Thb  Nervous  System. — In  dissecting  the  dorsal 
wall  of  the  body  cavity  next  the  spinal  column  you  have 
probably  noted  white  threads  running  in  the  lines  be- 
tween the  myotomes  outward  from  the  spine,  these  are 
the  spinal  nerves,  A  pair  can  be  seen  at  the  interval  be- 
tween each  two  vertebrae  through  the  entire  length  of 
lhetrunk»  and  they  are  also  present  in  the  i»ost-al»domea 
In  the  same  way,  thout^h  not  there  so  easily  trace«l;  there  is 
thus  a  metamerism  in  the  nervous  system.  The  spinal 
nerves  are  of  approximately  the  same  diameter  through- 
out the  series  excelling  at  the  levels  of  the  front  and 
bind  limbs,  where  several  of  them  are  considerably 
larger  than  the  rest,  this  is  because  they  are  com- 
posed of  the  additional  fibers  that  go  to  the  muscles  and 
skin  of  the  limbs.  How  many  of  these  nerves  to  the 
limbs  do  you  recognize  ?  In  the  head  there  is  a  seiiesof 
cranial  nerves  which  relate  the  partsof  the  head  with  tliQ 
brain;  as  in  the  fish,  the  spinal  canal  lodges  the  spinal 
^n/ which  can  be  seen  by  removing  the  neural  arches. 
There  is  a  sympathetic  system  but  its  dissection  is  very  dif- 
ficult. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  21 

13.  The  Axial  Skeleton. — After  setting  aside  the 
linil>9,  clean  the  back-bone  in  a  specimen  which  has  been 
boiled  to  soften  the  mu^icular  tissue,  removing  all  the 
flesih  by  picking  it  awuy  or  with  a  brush.  Take  care  not 
to  dislocate  the  bones  and  especially  not  to  loosen  the 
▼ery  rudimentary  ribs  in  the  trunk  region. 

Note  the  series  of  vertebra  running  from  the  head  to 
the  tip  of  the  tail.  They  are  less  similar  in  different 
parts  of  the  column  than  in  the  fish;  being  differentiated 
iuto  regions  to  some  extent  though  less  markedly  than  in 
the  birds  and  mammals.  In  the  neck  cervical  region,  an 
atlas  articulating  with  the  nkull  and  an  axisn^yAj  behind 
the  atlas  are  present.  Behind  these  come  the  vertebrsB 
of  the  trunks  which  correspond  with  the  dorsal  2lu^  lumbar 
series  of  mammals;  a  single  sacral  vertebra  follows  and 
to  it  the  pelvic  girdle  is  attached ;  this  in  turn  is  fol- 
lowed by  tie  caudal  series.  Count  the  number  in  each 
of  the  regions  and  compare  with  other  individuals  to  de- 
terinioe  the  degree  of  constancy  of  the  number. 

Any  of  the  trunk  vertebras  can  be  examined  as  a  rep- 
resentative case.  It  presents  a  centrum^  a  neural  archy 
bearing  a  spine  and  the  zygapophyses\  a  bi-furcated  trans- 
verse process  is  carried  by  the  centrum  on  each  side;  to 
which  the  rib  when  present  is  articulated.  Tran  verse  pro- 
cesses are  wanting  in  the  atlas  and  axis\  and  the  neural 
apiue  is  unlike  that  of  the  rest  of  the  series;  the  axis 
bears  a  prominence  in  front  of  its  centrum,  the  odontoid 
process.  The  sacrum  is  like  the  others  but  has  much  en- 
larged tranverse  processes.  The  caudal  series  is  much 
compressed;  there  is  a  series  oi  chevron  bones ^  the  h»mal 
spines;  and  the  accessory  parts  gradually  fade  out  and  dis- 
appear posteriorly  till  nothing  but  the  centrum  is  left. 
Rids  are  present  articulating  with  vertebrsB  in  the  neck 
as  well  as  in  the  dorsal  and  lumber  regions,  so  that  the 
differentiation  as  in  the  mammals  is  not  found  here;  the 
ribs  are  rudimentary  and  do  not  run  out  onto  the  body 


Digitized  by 


Google 


22  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Jan. 

wa)I  to  any  considerable  distance.  Compare  this  skeleton 
if  possible  with  that  of  a  dog,  cat  or  any  other  mammal. 

14.    The  Skeleton  of  Limbs. — Remove  the  skin  and 
muscular  tissue  so  as  to  display   the  bones   of  the   limb 
and  note  the  position  size  and  shapes  of  the  bones  as  fol- 
lows.    The  front  limb  is  not   directly  artiqalated   to  the 
body  but  at  the  shoulder  joint  to  a  plate  of  bones  and  car- 
tilage forming  the  shoulder  girdle^   this  consists   of    two 
portions:  one  is  dorsal,  the  scapula\\i  consists  of  a  small 
elongate  bone    dorsal  to   which  is  a   cartilaginous   plate 
the  suprascapular  the  other  on  the  ventral  side  is  a  large 
plate  of  cartilage  which  meets  and  overlaps    its  mate    of 
the  opposite  side,  cor acoid  cartilages.     These  each  present 
a  broader  hinder  caracoid  proper  and  a  smaller  anterior 
pre-coracoid.     In  the  hinder  angle  between  the  two  cora- 
cbids  a  small  sternal  cartilage  is  found.      These    elements 
of  i\\^  shoulder  girdle  m^Qi  and  form  a  cup-shaped.^/^/z(7/V/ 
cavity  into  which  the  bone  of  the  upper   arm   is  articu- 
lated.    There  is  a  single  bone  the  humerus  in   the   upper 
arm.     In  the  middle-arm  there  are  two    bones,   one   the 
radius  on  the  inside,  the  other  the  ulna  on  the    outside  of 
the  arm.     There  are  four  digits  in  the  hand  which    cor- 
respond with  the  outer  four  in  the  human,  exaniiije  them 
and  locate  and  count  the  small  bones  phalanges  olL^yv\\\{i\\ 
they  are  composed.     Carefully  dissect  the  wrist  .region 
aiid  find  the  small  carpal  bones ^  determine  that  there  are 
two  rows:  one  distal  row  at  the  bases  of  the  digits  ;  and 
a /r^;rtwtf/ roa/,  articulating  with  the  end  of    the   radius 
and  ulna.     As  the  bones  of  the  carpus   are  similar  in   all 
the  vertebrates  their  nomenclature  is  given  here."     Three 
are  recognized  in  the  proximal  row,  viz:  ulnare^  intertned- 
turn  and  radiate \  four  in  the  distal  row  viz  :  carpalia  2,  3, 
4  and  5  articulating  with  the  digits    2,  3,  4,    and  5  (the 
first   being  abortive).   One  more  in  the  centre  of  the  car- 
pus the  r^»^ra/^  complete  the  list. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICEOSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  23 

Dissecting  in  the  same  way  the  hind  limb,  determine 
its  varioas  bones.  There  is  a  pe/vic  gird/e  attaching  the 
limb  to  the  body ;  this  is  directly  articulated  with  the 
Bpinai  column,  the  point  of  attachment  being  on  the  sides 
of  the  sacrum.  There  is  a  cavity  acetabulum  into 
which  the  upper  limb  bone  of  the  leg  fastens,  formed  by 
three  bones  passing :  one  dorsally  the  i/tum:  a  second 
ventrally  and  in  front,  the  pubis  \  and  a  third  ventrally 
and  behind  the  ischium ;  all  three  meet  in  the  acetabulum. 
The  two  ventral  bones  meet  in  the  mid- ventral  line  and 
compose  an  argh,  the  pubic  arch,  between  which  and  the 
back-bone  the  rectum  and  the  uro-genital  organs  pass  to 
reach  the  cloaca. 

The  jt/;m^r  is  the  single  bone  of  the  upper  limb  MgA,  In 
the  crus  there  are  two  boae^,  lidia  B,i^i.fibula\  they  are  of 
the  same  size;  the  outer  is  the  fibula;  there  B^v^five  digits, 
locate  and  count  their  bones;  examine  the  tarsus,  it  has 
the  same  composition  as  the  carpus^i.  e.  a  proximal  row^ 
iibiale^  intermedium  VLndi  fibular e^4^iitvQ.\pi2iXidL  distal  tarsalia 
1,  2,  3,  4,  and  5. 

15.  The  Bones  op  the  SKULL.-Theskullof  thesalaman- 
deris  somewhat  small  fot  study  of  the  bones  and  that  of 
a  large  frog  is  much  the  sartie  aud  should  be  used  in  its 
stead  if  obtainable.  The  brain  case  is  enclosed  below 
by  ceLTtWagey  8pAen-et/imbid,  which  in  the  higlier  verte- 
brate*^  ossifies  in  two  parts :  the  phenoid  bone  behind 
and  the  ethmoid  bone  in  front.  Dorsally,  the  brain  is 
oovered  by  the  frontal  bones  in  front  and  thft  parietal 
bones  behind.  Below  the  sphen-ethmoid  cartilage  is  a 
dagger  shaped  para-sphenoid  bone  (not  found  where  the 
sphenoid  and  ethmoid  are  ossified).  At  the  hinder  end 
of  the  brain-case  the  nervous  tissue  emerges  through  an 
opening  i\\e  foramen-magnum  \  this  is  the  occipital  region 
of  the  skull  but  remains  cartilaginous  in  amphibia  except 
where  it  articulates  with  the  spinal  column,  here    bones 


Digitized  by 


Google 


24  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Jan. 

the  exoccipiials  are  developed.  Bones  reach  aut  front 
the  braiu-ease  and  support  theditferent  partn  of  the  face, 
posteriorly  are  the  auditory  capsules  Hurrounding  the  ears* 
when  bones  are  developed  in  this  cartilage  ihey  are- 
called  otic  bones  and  in  the  frog  pro-otks  are  formed  on 
the  anterior  side  of  the  cartilage.  A  mass  of  cartilage 
quadrate  cartilage  reaches  from  the  occi])ita]  region  side- 
ways as  far  as  the  angle  of  the  jaw.  A  bone  the  pterygoid 
ossifies  in  connection  with  this.  It  reaches  forward  and 
helps  to  form  the  upper  jaw.  It  also  rests  against  the 
sphen -ethmoid  cartilage. 

Another  bone  related  to  the  hinder  part  of  the  skull  is 
the  quadratO'jugaly  this  forms  the  hinder  outer  angle  of 
the  head,  and  the  glenoid  cavity^  where  the  lower  jaw 
articulates,  is  located  in  it.  The  arch  running  forward 
from  the  quadrate  forming  the  hinder  part  of  the  upper 
jaw  is  called  the  zygomatic  an h  the  space  between  it  and 
the  brain  case  is  the  orbito- temporal fossa^  and  lodges  the 
eye^  in  front  and  the  temporal  muscles  (used  in  closing  the 
lower  jaw)  behind.  Continuing  on  the  line  of  the  upper 
jaw,  you  will  find  next  in  front  of  the  zygomatic  arcb 
a  slender  portion  of  the  maxillary  bone.  This  bone  presents 
two  other  portions;  one  on  the  roof  of  the  skull  and  be- 
hind the  nostril,  the  facial  portion:  and  a  second  part 
which  runs  in  and  forms  a  part  of  the  roof  of  the  mouth 
chamber,  in  front,  the  palatine  portion.  The  middle  of 
the  upper  jaw  is  formed  by  the  pre-maxillarieSy  which 
also  form  the  lower  border  of  the  nostril.  The  nasal 
bones^  run  from  the  premaxillaries  to  the  frontals  in  the 
middle  line  of  the  roof  of  the  skull,  and  are  located  pos- 
terior to  the  nostrils.  Small  bones,  ih^  pre-frontals  com - 
plete  the  closure  of  the  nostril.  In  the  roof  of  the  mouth 
there  are  in  front  two  large  flat  bones,  vomers  and  crossing^ 
the  capito-temporal  fossa.  Between  the  vomer  and  the-, 
maxillary  are  the  palatines..  The  lower  j^,w  is^^Qojn posed 
of  cartilage  in  early  stages  but  in  adults  a  number  of  dif- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  25 

ferent  bones  are  formed  in  the  membranes  which  invest 
this  original  Meckel's  cartilage^  often  however  leaving 
some  remnant  of  the  cartilage  even  to  the  very  end  of 
life.  Of  these  the  dentary  is  the  central  one  bearing 
teeth,  the  angulare  the  one  bearing  the  articular  face  and 
meeting  the  quadrate. 


EDITOKUL. 


Peroxide  of  Hydrogen. — We  are  very  glad  to  call  atten- 
tion to  the  article  of  Mr.  C.  E.  Hanaman  on  pages  7,  8  and 
9  describing  his  experiments  and  the  use  made  of  the 
peroxide.  We  trust  that  others  will  report  upon  the  use 
of  this  antiseptic.  In  his  letter  transmitting  the  article 
Mr.  Hanaman  writes:  ^'Altogether  the  specimen  is  one 
over  which  many  hours  of  profitable  study  may  be  spent, 
and  I  trust  that  this  article  may  induce  others  to  experi- 
ment in  the  same  direction,  and  if  possible  improve  upon 
the  process.  I  do  not  think  the  bleaching  process  can  be 
very  much  improved  but  there  is  ample  field  for  experi- 
ment in  the  direction  of  fixing  fluids  with  penetrating 
power  sufficient  to  pass  quickly  through  chitin  and  of  selec- 
tive staining  agents  with  the  same  powers. 

Microscope  Wanted. — One  of  our  subscribers  (W.  C. 
P.),  wishes  to  buy  an  instrument, — student's  Van  Heurch 
preferred.  Send  offers  marked  "No.  1290"  to  us  for  his 
consideration. 

Barbados  Earth. — We  have  a  small  quantity  left  of  the 
supply  of  Barbados  earth  so  kindly  given  to  us,  for  dis- 
tribution, by  Mr.  Bryce  Scott  of  New  Brunswick.  Send 
stamped  envelope. 

Richard  H.  Oakley,  2227  Wilson  avenue,  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
has  slides  of  Sycamore,  double  stained  which  he  wishes  to 
exchange  for  slides  of  diatoms,  ferns  or  mollusca  odon- 
tophora. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


26  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Jan. 

KICBOSCOPICAL  APPARATUS. 


Attachable  Mechanical  Stage  for  Microscopes  With 
Plain  Stages.— This  Stage  consists  of  a  suitable  base-plate 
provided  with  thumb-screws  fitting-  into  the  clip-holes  and 
fastened  from  below.     Upon  the  base-plate  are  two  sliding* 


< 

X 


pieces  mounted  at  rig-ht  ang^les  to  one  another  and  moved 
in  rig-ht  lines  by  two  milled  heads.  The  perpendicular 
movements  are  controlled  by  rack  and  pinion,  and  extend 
an  inch  and  a  quarter.  The  horiz(mtal  movements  extend 
full  two  inches  and  are  controlled  by  a  micrometer  screw. 
These  sliding-  pieces  pass  along  suitable  scales  whereby 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1 897]  MICROSCOPICAL' JOURNAL.  27 

any  particular  position  may  be  recorded  and  found  again 
easily.  The  object* is  in  a  simple  carrier  close  to  the  sur- 
face of  the  stag:e.  The  mechanical  stag^e  can  be  fitted  to 
any  stag^e  vf  the  location  of  the  clip-holes  and  center  of  the 
stag-e  is  known.     It  is  sold  by  Zentmayer  for  $16.00. 

KICBOSCOPICAL  MANIPULATION. 


To  Distinguish  Guaiacol  from  Beechwood  Creosote. — 

Mr.  Vreven  utilizes  the  following  method  for  distinguish- 
ing beechwood  creosote  from  liquid  guaiacol:  He  places  a 
few  drops  of  the  substance  under  examination  in  a  test 
tube  and  adds  2  or  3  drops  of  ether  and  I  or  2  drops  of  con- 
centrated nitric  acid  or  of  concentrated  hydrochloric  acid 
and  agitates  the  mixture.  There  is  first  of  all  a  reddish 
brown  coloration  produced  in  the  ethereal  layer.  After 
spontaneous  evaporation  of  the  ether  there  remain  oily 
drops  if  the  substance  on  examination  is  creosote,  or  if  it 
is  liquid  guaiacol  the  residue  is  in  the  form  of  crystals. 
Sometimes  crystals  are  not  produced  even  if  the  substance 
examined  is  liquid  guaiacol  unless  the  residue  is  agitated, 
but  upon  agitation  the  crystals  appear  immediately.  Under 
the  same  conditions  carbolic  acid  also  yields  crystals,  but 
their  form  does  not  at  all  resemble  the  form  of  crystals 
produced  by  guaiacol,  the  crystals  of  the  latter  consisting 
of  needles  aggregated  in  the  form  of  stars  which  are  very 
easily  distinguished  under  the  microscope. — American 
Druggist. 

New  Method  of  Purifying  Water. — The  French  Acad- 
emy of  Sciences  appears  to  indorse  the  new  method  of 
purifying  water  by  calcium  permanganate  and  manganese 
dioxide.  According  to  this  method,  the  calcium  perman- 
ganate coming  in  contact  with  organic  matter  and  micro- 
organisms, destroys  them  and  decomposes  itself  into  oxy- 
gen, manganese  oxide  and  lime  Then,  to  carry  off  the 
surplus  of  permanganate  and  complete  the  purification, 
the  water  is  poured  over  managanese  dioxide;  oxygen  in 
the  nascent  state  is  thus  freed  and  it  burns  up  any  remain- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


28  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Jan. 

ing"  g-erms.  There  remain  in  the  apparatus,  then,  inferior 
oxidesof  manganese,  which  hasten  to  re-oxidize  themselves 
and  furnish  again  a  certain  quantity  of  mang-anese  dioxide; 
the  water  as  thus  finally  purified  contains  a  little  lime  in 
the  form  of  bicarbonate  and  traces  of  oxyg^enated  water. 
A  very  small  quantity  of  calcium  permang^anate  is  used  in 
this  process,  and,  if  practicable  on  a  larg^e  scale,  is  of  great 
importance.  Water  having  100,000  colonies  of  microbes 
can  thus  be  purified,  it  is  stated,  and  ice  placed  in  water 
with  calcium  permanganate  is  also  quickly  sterilized. — 
American  Druggist. 

BACTEBIOLOGT. 

The  Microbic  Character  of  Acute  Catarrhal  Otitis  Media. 
— Lannois  concludes  from  his  observations  that:  1.  The 
normal  middle  ear  in  animals  acts  like  an  aseptic  cavity 
and  contains  no  micro-organisms.  2.  The  liquid  of  catarr- 
hal otitis  media  does  or  does  not  contain  microbes,  accord- 
ing to  the  period  at  which  it  is  examined  after  the  begin- 
ning. 3.  The  disappearance  of  the  microbes  is  sometimes 
probably  due  to  the  bactericidal  power  of  the  mucous  mem- 
brane and  the  mucus.  4.  The  bactericidal  action  explains 
why  the  secretion  rarely  becomes  purulent,  even  after 
paracentesis  and  repeated  catheterization. 


KICROSCOPICAL  80GIETIE8. 


Sheffield  Microscopical  Society. 
Friday,  December  18th,  Mr.  G.  T.  W.  Newsholme, 
Honorary  Secretary,  in  the  chair.  -The  President,  Mr.  A. 
H.  Allen,  lectured  on  *'The  Philosophy  of  the  Microscope." 
He  explained  that  he  had  chosen  that  subject  because  some 
people  were  at  sea  as  to  the  optical  principles  involved  in 
the  use  of  the  microscope.  He  reminded  the  gathering 
that  we  do  not  see  light  in  the  ordinary  sense,  but  perceive 
it  when  it  falls  on  something  capable  of  reflecting  it,  and  so 
reaches  the  eye.     Another  principle  to  which  he  called  at- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  29 

tention,  is  that  an  object  always  appears  to  be  in  that  direc- 
tion in  which  the  rays  of  lig^ht  last  reach  the  eye.  It  was, 
Mr.  Allen  said,  a  higfhly  important  principle,  which  was 
sometimes  not  so  thoroug^hly  borne  in  mind  as  it  should  be. 
Mr.  Allen  then  described  the  laws  of  optics  utilised  in  the 
construction  of  the  microscope,  illustrating  his  observa- 
tions by  numerous  demonstrations  carried  out  by  means 
of  a  beam  of  lig-ht.  He  also  explained  the  magnifying- 
power  of  different  object  glasses  and  eye-pieces,  and  dealt 
in  a  chatty  but  interesting  and  instructive  way  with  other 
details  connected  with  the  optical  construction  of  the  mi- 
croscope. 

Lrivcrpool  Microscopial  Society. 

'*The  Microscopic  Study  of  Cotton  and  other  Fibres," 
was  the  subject  which  Mr.  F.  H.  Tate,  F.C.S.,  discussed 
before  the  members  of  the  Society  recently.  The  paper 
dealt  principally  with  cotton,  and  described  the  structure, 
mode  of  growth  and  development  of  the  fibres.  The  dif- 
ferent structures  of  the  plant  were  exhibited  by  hintern 
illustrations  and  their  several  characteristics  were  ex- 
plained. Micro-photography  was  relied  upon  to  reveal  the 
difference  between  healthy  and  diseased  fibres.  The 
fibres  of  other  materials,  as  wool,  silk,  flax,  etc.,  were  simi- 
larly described  and  exhibited. 

Quekett  Microscopical  Club. 
The  346th  ordinary  meeting  of  this  club  was  held  on 
Friday,  Nov.  20th,  at  20,  Hanover-square,  Mr.  J.  G.  Wal- 
ler, president,  in  the  chair.  Mr.  T.  Rosseter,  F.R.M.S., 
read  a  paper  on  a  new  Cysticercus  and  Teenia.  The  for- 
mer infests  the  entomostracan,  Cypris  fusca,  and  the  ma- 
ture tapeworm  develops  in  the  common  duck.  Mr.  Ros- 
seter gave  a  most  interesting  account  of  his  experiments 
in  feeding  the  birds  with  the  entomostraca,  his  frequent 
failures,  and  final  success.  The  paper  was  illustnited  by 
drawings  of  the  various  stages  and  details  of  structure,  as 
well  as  by  diagrams  on  the  board.  In  moving  a  vote  of 
thanks,  the  president  remarked  that  Mr.  Rosseter  ap- 
peared to  be  the  sole  investigator  of  these  parasites,  so  far 


Digitized  by 


Google 


30  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Jan. 

as  birds  were  concerned^  in  this  country;  it  was  a  wide 
field  for  those  possessing-  the  opportunity  of  study,  and  no 
doubt  a  g-reat  deal  remained  to  be  discovered.  The  vote 
was  carried  with  applause.  Mr.  C.  D.  Soar  exhibited  a 
series  of  41  beautiful  drawing^s  of  Hydrachnidae  collected 
at  the  club's  excursions  during^  the  past  season,  and  gave 
a  commentary  on  the  life-history  of  the  water  mites  in 
g-eneral.  Man}'  of  these  mites  are  most  g^eorg^eously 
colored  and  marked,  and  the  series  was  much  admired. 

Quekett  Microscopical  Club. 
The  347th  ordinary  meetings  of  this  club  was  held  on  Fri- 
day, December  18,  at  20,  Hanover-square,  Mr.  J.  G.  Waller, 
F.S.A.,  President,  in  the  chair.  After  the  usual  formal 
business,  Messrs.  Swift  exhibited  a  double  perforated 
stop  for  affixing-  cracker  g-elatine  in  experiments  wnth 
color-ground  illumination,  to  fit  the  diaphragm  carrier  of 
the  Abbe  or  other  similar  condenser.  Mr.  W.  Stokes 
read  a  paper  *'On  Multiple  Images  in  Mirrors,"  illustrated 
by  diagrams.  For  the  removal  of  these  images  Mr.  Stokes 
advocated  that  microscope  mirrors  should  be  ground  about 
1°  from  parallelism  when,  on  rotating  the  mirror  in  its  cell, 
the  images  from  the  reflecting  surfaces  would  superim- 
pose in  a  certain  position,  and  so  merge  into  one.  A  paper 
'*On  a  New  Form  of  Sub-Stage  Color  Illuminator,"  by  Mr. 
J.  Rheinberg,  was  read  for  the  author  by  Dr.  Measures. 
It  was  shown  that  the  color  contrasts  obtainable  wnth  this 
instrument  were  practically  unlimited.  A  discussion  fol- 
lowed. Mr.  Nelson  read  a  '*Note  on  Some  New  Lenses," 
pointing  out  the  fallacy  of  the  term  ''aplanatic"  as  applied 
to  the  ordinary  triplet  magnifiers.  Votes  of  thanks  were 
given  for  these  several  communications,  and  the  proceed- 
ings terminated. 

It  is  stated  that  Mr.  C.  R.  Bishop  has  authorised  the 
the  trustees  of  the  Bishop  Museum  to  expend  750,000  dol- 
lars in  building  an  aquarium  and  marine  biological  station 
at  Honolulu  for  the  study  of  marine  life  in  the  Pacific. 
Prof.  W.  T.  Brigham  is  prepared  to  complete  the  plans. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  31 

MICROSCOPK  AL  NOTES. 


Murder. — At  a  small  town  near  Pittsburg*,  Alex.  Killen 
was  charg-ed  with  robbing-  and  murdering  a  woman  who 
had  owned  a  jewelry  store.  The  culprit  had  broken  a 
window  and  scraped  the  jewelry  into  a  yellow  satchel.  In 
the  haste  s^)me  glass  was  included. 

After  Killen's  arrest,  such  a  satchel  was  found  on  his 
premises  and  some  small  pieces  of  glass  found  in  it.  At 
the  trial,  the  District  Attorney  laid  them  on  a  sheet  of 
paper  and  passed  them  to  the  jury.  This  was  not  satis- 
factory— a  powerful  microscope  was  brought  in  and  each 
juror  examined  the  bits  of  glass.  A  glass  w^orker  on  the 
jury  was  satisfied  that  the  bits  were  from  window  glass 
and  not  from  a  bottle  which  Killen  said  had  been  broken 
in  the  satchel.  The  other  jurors  accepted  his  suggestions 
and  convicted  Killen  of  Murder  in  the  first  degree — cir- 
cumstantial evidence  adduced  by  the  use  of  a  microscope. 

Distribution  of  Fungi  by  Snails  and  Toads. — Voglino 
communicates  a  suggestive  paper  to  the  Nuovo  Giornah  Bot. 
Ital.  (1895,  181),  in  which  he  demonstrates  that  certain 
fungi  (Agariciniae)  are  distributed  by  snails  and  toads. 
An  examinati(m  of  the  stomachs  of  the  snails  and  toads, 
presence  of  the  spores  of  various  species  of  fungi  which 
were  seen  to  have  begun  their  germination,  and  culture 
experiments  with  the  excrements  of  various  snails  pro- 
duced a  large  number  of  germinating  spores  of  fungi. 
The  same  was  observed  on  examining  the  stomachs  of 
toads,  in  which  the  spores  of  Russula  and  Lactarius  were 
specially  abundant. 

Honey  Bee  Secretes  Fromic  Acid. — A  fact  which  is  in- 
teresting and  perhaps  new  to  many,  is  that  the  honey-bee 
after  filling  a  cell  with  honey  and  covering  it  with  the  lid, 
adds  to  the  honey  a  drop  of  formic  acid.  This  is  done  by 
piercing  the  lid  with  the  sting  and  depositing  a  drop  of  the 
poison  from  her  sack.  By  numerous  experiments  it  has 
been  shown  that  formic  acid  added  to  honey  or  any  sugar 


Digitized  by 


Google 


32  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Jan. 

solution  prevents  fermentation.     Evidently  the  sting  of 
the  bee  has  a  use  besides  that  of  defence. 

The  Management  of  the  Journal  of  Nervous  and  Mental 
Diseases  announces  the  following  arrangement  of  the  staff 
for  1897:  Dr.  Chas.  L.  Dana,  Dr.  F.  X.  Dercum,  Dr.  Philip 
Coombs  Knapp,  Dr.  Chas.  K.  Mills,  Dr.  Jas.  J.  Putnam, 
Dr.  B.  Sachs,  Dr.  M.  Allen  Starr,  as  editors.  Dr.  Philip 
Meirowitz,  Dr.  Wm.  G.  Spiller,  as  Associated  Editors.  Dr. 
Chas.  Henry  Brown,  25  West  45th  St,  New  York,  is  Man- 
aging Editor. 

Dr.  George  M.  Sternberg,  Surgeon  General  of  the 
United  States  Army,  has  received  the  honorary  degree  of 
LL.  D.  from  Brown  University. 

Dr.  W.  E.  Castle  has  been  appointed  instructor  in  biology 
in  Knox  College,  Galesbury,  III. 


RECENT   PUBLICATIONS. 


Mystic  Masonry,  or  the  Symbols  of  Freemasonry  and 
the  Greater  Mysteries  of  Antiquity. — By  J.  D.  Buck,  M. 
D.,  Cincinnati:  Robert  Clarke  Co.  265  pp.  xiv  pl.  12mo 
$1.50. 

This  little  book  is  a  compendium  of  occult  knowledge. 
The  world  at  large  will  not  comprehend  it.  Most  people 
will  not  wish  to  do  so.  It  will  fall  only  into  the  hands  of 
those  who  are  somewhat  curious  regarding  that  which 
underlies  and  is  greater  than  all  religions  and  all  fraterni- 
ties. I  am  not  a  freemason  but  if  tomorrow  I  had  to  part 
for  life  with  two  of  the  followingthree  books:  Shakespeare, 
The  Bible,  Buck's  Mystic  Masonry— I  would  keep  the  lat- 
ter and  let  go  the  other  two  in  spite  of  the  mystic  meaning 
which  I  now  know  to  be  concealed  in  the  two  former  books. 
My  reason  is  that  I  can  remember  much  that  i&  in  the 
Bible,  and  not  a  little  of  Shakespeare  but  this  book  is  new 
to  me  and  contains  th«  keys  to  all  knowledge.  I  risk  this 
assertion  although  I  know  that  the  declaration  itself  will 
mystify  nearly  all  who  read  it. — C.  W.  S. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


MICROSCOPES  DUTY  FREE. 

Colleges  and  Educational  Institutions  in  the  U.  S.  are  entitled  to  im- 
port microscopes  and  Scientific  Instruments,  duty  free,  and  can  there- 
fore have  such  goods  shipped  to  them  at  London  prices,  by  ordering 
direct  from  us. 

Dr.  Henri  Van  Heurck's 
Microscope 

FOR  HIGH  POWER  WORK  AND 
PHOTO-MICROGRAPHY 

As  made  by  W.  Watson  and  Sons  to  the 
Specification  of  Dr.  Henri  Van  Heurck 
of  Antwerp  and  used  by  leading  Photo- 
micrographersin  theU.  S.,  and  through- 
out the  world. 

Fitted  with  fine  adjustment  of  utmost  sendtiTeiiees 
and  precision,  Dot  liuble  to  derangemout  bv  wear. 

Haj»  rackwork  Draw'tube  to  correct  Otjectives  for 
thicknesd  of  cover  gla^d. 

Can  be  need  with  either  Continental  or  English 
Objectives,  the  body  length  being  variable  ftom  l^ 
to  S()0  mlllimetors. 

Has  the  fine  adjustment  to  sub-stage. 

The  injstrument  is  specially  dc'signed  to  afford  the 
greatest  possible  cuuvenieuoe  for  maaipulatlon. 

Pbicxs: — As  fipured,  with  om?  eye- piece,  (but  with- 
out centering  screws  or  divisions  to  bi^Ke)  $92  50 
Also  made  with  Continental  form  of  foot  90  00 

Watson  &  Sons'  Edinburgh  Student's  Microscope. 

This  well  known  and  popular  Instrument 
can  DOW  be  hnd  mounted  on  either  the  Tri- 
pod or  Continental  horse-shoe  form  of  foot. 
It  is  suitable  for  investij^ations  with  the  high- 
est powers.  The  quality  of  workmanship  is 
the  finest  possible.  It  is  unexcelled  for  sta- 
bility and  precision  of  working  parts.  Made 
in  four  forms  as  enumerated  below. 

Full  description  of  the  above  instruments, 
and  illust fated  catalogue  of  microscopes  and 
apparatus  ;  also^  classified  list  of  40,000  ob-w 
jects  forwarded  post  free  on  application. 

STAND  v.. — Microscopo  Stand,  havip«  coarse  adjustment 
by  slidiDff  lH>dy  in  porlVct  tiltiu»r  tube.  Fine  adjust- 
ment of  our  improved  foim,  which  works  without 
theloast  lateral  motion,  undcrKtajre  fitting  hung  on  a 
pivot  so  that  it  can  be  lifted  nsido  with  apparatus  in 
it  when  direct  light  from  l)ie  mirror  i»  required; 
double  mirror,  diaw-tubo  divilod  to  centimetres, 
_  milled  head  of  Fine  Adjustment  gruovod  for  Photo- 
graphy, fitted  with  one  eye-piece  only $21.25 

Tb«  AboTe  iDStmment  fitted  with  two  Eye-pieces,  Abbe    Model  lUuunnpi' r,  with  bet  of  Stops 

highest  quality  1  Id..  25®,  and  1-16  in.  Objective",  complete  in    ^lahouany  rtu.e ^.50 

8TAMD  F.— ^acUy  similar  to  "  E,"  but  with  best  quality  npiral  rac  k  and  pinion  coarbe  adjust- 
ment, fitted  with    one  Eye-plec«  only t^'^ 

Complete  with  Objectives,  Ac.,  in  cane,  as  above 549.50 

STAND  '*  G."— Exactly  similar  to  "  F,"  but  hsTinir  btv,t  comiK-und   hu■.>^u^l:^^   w  ith   rackwork  to 

focn*  and  screws  to  centre,  as  figured  in  "  H  "  rtand.     With  on*  K,\ .-]  l  <o  only $35  00 

Goinplete  with  Objectives,  Ac.,  in  case,  as  above $60.00 

STAlID  **  H."— The  most  complete  of  the  serie«».     Similnr  u>   "  U,"  lut  having    large,  thin,  and 

▼ety  riflfid  mechanical  stage,  as  figured.     With  >»iio  Fy«  -piece  <aA\ $47.50 

Complete  with  Objectives,  case  as  above,  and  Abbe  MorVl    Illmnii.f.r.  r.  havi.jg  Iris  diaphragm 

and  set  of  stops  for  dark  ground  and  oblique  illumination,  complete $75.00 

fr.  'WATSON  &  SONS,  313  High  HolbomW.  0..  London,  England  anl  Ta  Swan«ton  St.,  Mel- 
-  bourne,  Aurtralia,  E^tablbhed,  1837. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


WANT,  SALE  AND  EXCHANGE  NOTiCES. 


FOR  SALK.  —First  rl:i<;s  hJotanical  monnts,  25  cents.  Send  for  list ;  also 
will  exchaiijre.  I.  PERCY  BLACKMAN,  Sandy  Hook,  Conn. 

FORSALE.— Tolles  1-10  objective,  1.42  N  A ,  one  of  his  latest  and  best. 
Also  1-1'2  I*owell  &  Lelaud  apochromatic  objective,  1.40  N.  A,  new. 

C.  E.  HLAKE  &  CO.,  Adams  Express  Bldg.,  Chicago,  III. 
READ  tlio  uice  stories  in  Lippincott's  Monthly  Magazine.     Yoa  can  save 
50  cents,  (club  rate)  by  subscribing  for  Lippincott  through  us. 

MICROSCOPICAL  PUB.  CO. 
hX)R  SALE.—Nicely  mounted  slides  of  Rhinoceros  horn,  at  40  cents  each. 

H.  H.  DAVISON,  41  Sumner  St.,  Pautncket,  R  I. 
FOR  SALE — Pritehard's  Infusoria  (latest   etiition,   colored  plates)  and 
Smith's  British    Diatomacene  (2  vols.,  uncut).      Phese  works  are  very  scarce 
and  can  ouly  l>e  got, as  in  this  case,  when  a  miorotomist  finishes  using  them. 
Pi iie  JtSGO.  So  Si^^ ,  Care  C.  W.  SMILEY, 

FOR  P^XCHANCK. — Tlie  Museum  of  Hamline  Univei-sity  desires  to  ex- 
<bange  Atlantic  SlielU,  ]»re.^evv<'(l  sj)ecimf»ns  of  Marine  Zoology  of  microscopic 
slip  slides  for  zoological  specimens  especially  Rodents  in  the  flesh  from 
Southwestern  Tnited  States.     Corresj»oinien<e. solicited. 

HKXKV  L.  OSBORN.  Haiiiline  Univ.,  St.  Paul,  Minnesota. 
AKRX.XCED  DLVTOMS;.     I   furnish   t  lie  mcut  artistitic  arrangements  of 
diatoms  in  slides  at  $5.00  each.     Vour  name  can  be  made  from  different 
species.     Roosters,   hen  and  chickens,   and  l>ouquets  of  flowers  in  batterflj 
scales  and  diatoms  from  $5.00.     Refer  to  the  Editor  of  this  Journal. 

M.  H.  DALTON,  16  Rue  de  I^venir,  Asnieres,  pres  Paris,  France. 

Miorosoopieal  Specialties. 

KING'S  CEMENTS  ^^^"'"^"^*"^^""^iL^dVywin.u.tainit. 

KING'S  GLYCERINE  JELLY  is  unsurpassed. 
THE  KING  MICROTOME  is  the  best  for  botanical  work. 

Send  for  fall  list  of  specialtiet. 

J.    D.    KING,    Cottage    City,    Mass. 


INVERTEBRATE  DISSECTIONS. 

Second  Edition ;  Revised  and  Greatly  Enlarged. 

DESIGNED  to  suit  the  requirements  of  high  school  or  college,  or  to  guide 
any  who  may  desire  to  pursue  an  elementary  course  of  practical  or  theoretical 
invertebrate  zoology.  It  contains  working;  directions  for  the  study  of  fifty 
types,  from  all  classes  and  orders  of  Invertebrates,  attention  being  chiefly 
called  to  common  and  easily  obtained  forms  ;  notes  on  habits  and  modes  of 
capture,  and  items  to  observe  on  living  animals  ;  bibliognipliical  reference  to 
some  of  the  most  accessible  literature  of  each  group  ;  and  a  synoptical  table 
of  the  entiie  animal  kingdom  summarizing  all  the  phyla,  clasetes  and  orders, 
thus  making  the  book  a  compend  of  Elementary  Invertebrate  ZoologA-. 

Hvo;  heavy  paper  covers;  64  pages  ;  price  75  centji.  Special  rates  for  schoolii. 
Sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price.  Circulars  and  sample  pages  furnished  on 
application  to  anthor. 

Hrnry  L.  Osborn, 

Hamline  University,  St,  Paul,  Minn, 


Digitized  by 


Google 


General  Index 


TO  THE 


American  Hontbly  Icroscopical  Journal 

.      1880-1895. 

(16  years.) 

We  have  for  sale  a  limited  number  of  copies  of 
this  general  index,  containing  69  pages  and  6500 
references  at 

$1.00  per  copy. 


BACK   NUMBERS. 

We  can  supply  sets  of  the  Journal  for  1881-1896, 
at  $2.cx)  each;  the  last  ten  volumes  for  ten  dollars. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


CARL  REICHERT 
MICROSCOPES. 

SOLE  AGENTS  FOR  UNITED  STATES. 

RICHARDS  &  CO.,  LTD., 

NEW  YORK,  OmOAQO, 

« 

41  Barclay  Street.      108  Lake  Street. 

Icroscopic  Freparatioiis  lUnstratii  tlie  Hiiinte  Stmctnre 
of  VegetaUe  life. 

Being  enclosed  in  a  novel  transparent  envelope,  these  objects  may 
be  examined  without  removal  before  mounting.  They  are  prepared 
with  the  utmost  care  by  WAI.TER  White,  England,  and  are  mostly 
stained  in  one  or  two  colors  of  the  most  permanent  character. 

A  friend  says :  The  sample  section  is  exquisite.  It  is  so  good 
that  I  want  more.  As  a  well -cut  and  well-stained  section  it  is 
equal  to  anything  I  Jbave  seen  in  that  line. 

PRIGEIS. 

Catalogue  of  172  objects,  -  -  -  $0.02 

Single  specimens,      -----  .08 

20  specimens,  assorted,  -  -  -  i.oo 

CHAS.  W.  SMILEY,  Washingrton,  D.  C. 


SWEDENBORG 

is  not  only  a  theologian  ;  he  is  a  scientist  and'  a  scientific  writer, 
whose  keenly  philosophical  analysis  of  phenomena  is  helpful  to 
every  scientific  student.    Send  for  catalogues  or  answers  to  questions, 
Address 

ADOLPH  ROEDER, 

Vineland,  N.  J. 

FOR  SALE.— A  set  of  slides  iUnstrating  the  Woody  Plants  of  Illinois, 
95  Genera.  H.  F.  MUXROE,  821  Jackson  Boulevard,  Chicago,  111. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE  FISK 

TRAGHRRS'   AGRNGIRS, 
EVERETT  O.  FISK  &  CO..  Proprietors. 

President. 

Ktkrctt  O.  Fmk,  -  -  4  AsUbarton  Plaoe,  Boston,  Mass. 

Managers. 

W.  B.  Hkrrick,  4  Ashborton  Place,  Boston,  W.  D.  Keru.  70  Fifth  Atouuc,  Kew  York, 

Mum.  N.  T 

Mrs.   S.   D.  THtTRMOND,  1242    Twelfth  St.,  P.  V.  HrYst;ooN,70Fifth  Av.>ouo,Ncw  York, 

Wanbinnton.P.C.  NY. 

A.  O.  FisHKR,  4   A<«hburton  Place,  Boston,  W.O.  Pr^tt,  70  Fifth  Av<iiuo,  N«  w  Ytjik, 

MtH«*.  N.   Y. 

MAfiTiiA  IIoAO,  4  Ashbarton  Place,  Boatrm,  L,  B.  HAL'-KY,,V)r)  W.tUftsh  Aveune,  Chicaeo, 

}iH^  III, 

IIbi.v-.nQ.   £A0Ea,4  Aahburton  Place,  Bos-  J.  D.  Enolc,  Ceuttiry  BuilJitt^,  Minneapo- 

ton,  AImm.  olis,  Minn. 

W.    O     McTacgart,    25    King  8t  ,    Weat  Mrs.   F.  Dowlino    Englr,  Ontury   Bldj^., 

Toronto,  Gannda..  liliDneapoIi^  Miun 

H.  E.  Crockkr,  70  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York,  C.  0.  Botnton,  l^')^^^  S*k  Spring  St.,   L<mi. 

N.  Y.  An^'*'l«e'»,  ChI. 

Rend  to  any  of  the  aboTo  apreuciea  for  100-pekge  Aeonry  Mununl.  <\,rreHp()inlouce  with  em- 
ployers is  luTited.    Begifltration  forms  sent  to  teacher^  un  ai';>lirati  m. 


ZEISS  MICROSCOPES. 

The  Carl  Zeiss  Optical  Wor](s  in  Jena 

Are  recognized  in  Europe  as  the  leading  manufacUirers  of  Stands  and 
Objectives.  They  have  issued  a  new  Catalo.!L(u^^  ior  kS-;"),  Cfiitainuig  a 
description  of  a  number  of  new  accessories  and  ap  >:iranis  which  I  am 
enabled  to  import  at  lowest  rates.  Ordcr.s  for  coll  ic  •:->  and  institutious 
filled  prompty,  duty  fne.  New  Catalogues  iwiwuiucd  on  ai^pl. cation, 
against  20  cents  in  postage  stamps 

F.  J.  EMMJEIUCH,  Sr„  Aj^rent, 

74  Murray  St.,    New  York,  N.  Y. 


JOSEPH  2[ElfTMi^'^EH; 

OPTICIAN. 
209  South  nth  Street,    Philadelphia. 


HISTOLOGICAL    MICROSCOPES  $65. 


STXTDENTS'  MICROSCOPES,  $38  to  $46,  Complete. 

MICROMETER  RULINCxS,   A  SPECIALTY. 


n.LU9TRATED  CATALOGri"  ON  AF!" 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Send  for  Art  Catalogue. 


m  Light?     19  to  21  lbs.  K 

[}  Strong  ?     Quaranteed.  g 

For  whom?      300  pound  riders.  3 


s  KEATING  BICYCLES.  » 


^ 


jj      Frame  sway?     No.     Why?     See  that  curve. 

[n  Speedy?     Yes. 

I  Why?     Long  chain.  K 

lasaasssHSHsasasESHsasasHsasasEsssasEHSsasaHSH"] 

36=;  days  ahead  of  them  all. 


Keating  Wheel  Co.,  Holyoke,  Mass. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


-  ThQ  ■ 


OR 

XHontf^Iy  3ournaI  of  (Ecology: 

WITH   WHICH   IS  IXCORPORATKD 

**THE    OEOLOOIST." 

EDITED   BY 

HENRY  WOODWARD,  LL.D  ,  F.  R.  S.,  PrksG.  S..  F.  Z.  S..  F.  R.  M.  S. 

OF  THE  BRITISH   MUSEUM   OF  NATUKAL  HISTORY  *, 
ASSISTED  BY 

ROBERT  ETHERIDGK,  F.  R.  S.  L.  &  E-,  F.  G.  S.,  F.  C.  S  .  &c. 

WILFRID  H  HUDLESTON,  M.  A.,  F.  R.  S.,  F.  G.  S  ,  F.  L.  S.,  F.  C.  S- 

GEORGE  J.  HINDRE,  Ph.D.,  V.  P.  G.  S.,  &c. 

AND 

HORACE  BOLINGBOKE  WOODWARD,  F.  G.  S. 


The  NEW  SERIES.    Decade  IV.    Vol.  H.No.  1-4. 
Jan.-    April,  1896,  NOW  READY. 

PUBLISHED    BY 

MESSRS.    DULAU    &   CO., 

37  SOHOSaUABE,  LONDON,  W. 

It  is  earnestly  requested  that  Sabscriptions  may  be  sent  to  DuLAU  and 
Co.  in  advance.  Subscribers  otl8s.  for  the  year  will  receive  the  Magazine, 
l*08t-fre€,  direct  on  the  Ist  of  each  Month.     Single  copies  Ij.  6d.  each. 


All  Communications  for  this  Magazine  should  be 
addressed  to  the  Editor  of  the  Geological  Magazine, 

129  BEAUFORT  STREET,  CHELSEA, 

LONDON,  S.  W. 

Books  and  Specimens  may  in  future  be  addressed  tothe  Editor,  care  of 

HESSBS.  DULAU  &;  GO.,  37Soho  Square,  London,  W. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Special 
Announcement 


D" 


-IN- 


MICROSCOPY. 


URTNG  the  iMt  few  months 
I  hare  boen  busy  preparing 
many  raiu  and  novel  objects 
for  Microecopical  purpoeee,  and 
hare  arranged  them  as  under  in 
IlluHtrated  Series. 

The  flret  of  these  U  the  Mi- 
croscopical Studies  In  Ma- 
rine Zoology. 

The  gocuud  Series  (tIz.:  that 
for  1895)  cousintfl  uf  14  splendid 
prepamtionn,  all  of  the  highest 
possible  oxcellf  iici*  Hnd  enaranteed 
permanent  The  U  slides  appeal 
ID  quarterly  liistallmeniM,  and  are 
uccouipanitKi  by  over  100  pa§^ 
of  descriptive  Ietteri>''«>^* 
dealtriic  in  plt«sant  but  exact  man- 
ner Willi  th«  anatomy,  litWhistoiy 
and  habits  ot  llie  rwpeciive  sub- 
Jerts,  while  1 2  fulI-pai^  plmtes 
oif  photo-eng^ravlnsrs,  drawn 


from  life,  make  plain  all  detailH. 
Inclusive  Subscription,  S6.25,  post-fre**.     Full  f.nwiKrtiw  on  application. 
The  folluwiug  are  among  the  Slidea  iiiclud«d  iu  this  Serieti : 

6.  Lovely  Expanded  Zoophyte  S«rtularia 


60c 


7.  0).ioH8um-(slirimp  MytU^  showing  audi- 

tory orguu  in  tail  38c 

8.  T)it)  N)>(endid  rare  orcran-pipe  Polyzoon, 

Lichenopnra  40c 

9.  Entire  larval  Plaice^,  eye  just  turning 

from  blind  side  and  6  other  equally 
flue  slides.  60c 


1.  Colony  of  the  lovely  RadioUriau  Spfutro- 
'  toum^  ehowin/j;  parasitic  rti|tf,R'.  40c 

2.  The  lovely  ZiH>phyto  Ote/ta,  polyps  fully 

expanded.  35c 

3.  Stalked  stage    of    the  larva    of    Bo^ 

Feather  St&r  (antedoit)  40< 

4.  An  entire  Sea- Butterfly  {Pteropod).  40o 
6.  Lovely  expanded  Zoophyte  Stpicoryne.      40c  | 

The  prices  tt^;ilil1^l  each  ure  those  at  which  the  preparations  are  sold  separately, show- 
ing what  a  cheap  1  jt  1  uffor  Id  series  at  SG.2o,  p.iBt  Hoe.  A  few  sets  i^f  Si-rici  1  still  available. 
f6.25»  post  free.     Semple  Slide,  6(k\,  p.«dt  free. 

Prof.  J,  R.  Ainsworth  Dnvis,  Cuiveruity  Odletrw,  Aberyslwlib.  writes:  "Mlow  me  to 
congratulate  you  on  the  very  useful  work  y<Mi  ar©  »luiug  by  the  pul/Hi...u  -u  (jt  luurual,  with 
aocompanyiug slides,  which  are  most  admirable. 

Superb  micru«copic*il  prcptimiioiH  of  BrazlllHti  Lianas  — I  have 
bt-en  unfortunate  in  obtMiijiii>(  a  qr.antity  i»f  tl»i'>'  nipeib  sterna — the 
must  lovely  iu  th«  whole  plant  kin^^dom — ^tud  have  arrjiuv;ed  them 
in  two  selsof  6  each,  at  ihe  iifii  o  f>f  Sl.:i5  |'«r  set,  or  $2  25  for  Ihn 
two.  The  most  exqi:i-ii»'ly  clmnuiutr  slirles  that  omld  )Ki»iib|y  b** 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  imagined  for  exhibition  ut  popular  k  itheringa.  As  the  quantity  is 
"^^^■"■■'■■■■^^"'^^     very  limit^^d.  I  am  unable  to  sell  single  slides. 

MIcroBOopical  Studies  in  Botany.— In  answer  U  in.»n.v  requests,  1  have  ar- 
ranged  20  lUiigniticent  prepdru.tii;na  in  a  seiies  ou  similar  lines  to  thut  iu  murine  zoology  de- 
scribed above. 

The  first  series  is  now  begun  ana  comprises  20  highest-class  slides  (^urh  as  sell  singly 
at  25c  toSSc  each),  ilUisliuted  by  descriptive  letterpress  and  20  specially  beautiful  phu to  micro- 
graphs of  the  sections. 

Subscriptions,  $6.25  only,  for  all,  a  sum  which  would  be  cheap  for  the  series  of  illus- 
trations lloue. 

Prof.  J.  W.  Carr,  UaiversTty  ri.llnge,  N'»ttlnflrham,  writes:  "Your  Botanical  8Ild«s 
are  the  must  beautiful  I  have  ever  tn  v-n.     Titu  following  are  among  the  slides  already    i-^ued  in 


aocompanyiug  slides,  which 

Botany. 


alx»ve  lines : 

1.  Tr.  sec.  flower-bud  of  Lily  25c 

2.  "    •'             do       of  Dandelion  30c 

3.  LontrU  sec,    do       of    •   do  26c 

4.  do            fruit    of  Fig  30c 
I  guarantee  the  perfection  of  all 


Tr.  sec.  nniit  of  Date  (splendid)  35c 

*'     ••    flower  of  Etchach^Uzia  80c 

LongU.  sec.  double  flower  of  Peony  25c 

Leaf-fall  of  Sycamore  25c 

my  mounts  and  will  be  pleased  to  send 


selections  on  approval  to.  approved  correspondents. 

A  great  range  of  Miscellaneous  /Zoological  and  Botanical  slides  in  stock 
at  prices  from   f  i  30  per  dcizcn. 

Cost  of  Mailing;,  isliile.  10  cents;  2  slides,  15  cents  ;  3  slides,  20  cents  and 
so  on      Lar^e  parcels  by  express  at  very  cheap  rates. 

Speciality.  Marine  /.oology  (especially  in  expanded  Zoophytes  and  larval 
stages,  and  plant  and  flower  anatomy. 

Terms.  Remittance  by  P.  O.  O  .  draft  on  London,  or  U.  S  paper  currency,  the 
former  preferred.  If  wished.  Mr.  C.  W  Smiley.  Washington,  D.  '  will  hold  the 
amount  till  order  is  satisfactorily  executed.  Mr,  Smilev  has  kindly  promised  to 
vouch  for  the  excellency  of  the  slides  and  will  give  references  to  U.  8.  Microscop- 
ists  who  have  been  well  satisfied  with  my  preparations. 

JAMES  HORNELL, 


Biological  Station,  Jersey,  England. 


Specialist  in  Microscoi^cal  Mounting. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


AHH#NOL 


3n  ia  (Brippc 


behaves  as  a  stimulant  as  well  as  au 


flnttjJi4re.ttc 


nn6 


flnalge;^tc; 


thus  differing  from  other  Coal- 


tar  products.  It  has  been  used  in  the  relief  of  rheumatism  and  neuralgic 
pains  and  in  the  treatment  of  the  sequeUe  of  alcoholic  excess.  AMMONOL 
is  also  prepared  in  the  form  of  salicylate,  bromide,  and  lithiate.  The  pres- 
ence of  Ammonia,  in  a  more  or  less  free  state,  gives  it  additional  properties 
as  an  expectorant,  diuretic  and  corrective  of  hyperacidity. — Londpn  Lancet. 

AMMONOL  is  one  of  the  derivatives  or  Coal-tar,  and  differs  from  the  numerous  sim- 
ilar products  in  that  it  contains  Ammonia  in  active  form.  As  a  result  of  this,  AMMO- 
NOL possesses  marked  stimulatin}<  and  expectorant  properties.  The  well-known  cardiac 
depre^ton  induced  by  other  Antipyretics  has  frequently  prohibited  their  use  in  otherwise 
suitable  cases.  The  introduction  of  a  similar  drug,  possessed  of  stimulating  properties, 
Is  an  event  of  much  importance.  AMMONOL  possesses  marked  anti-neurulgic 
properties,  and  it  is  claimed  to  be  especially  useful  in  cases  of  dysmenorrboea.^T^^  Mrd- 
uitl  yfagazinf,  lAtndon. 

Ammonol  may  be  obtained  from  all  Leading  Druggists.    Send  for  ••Ammonol  Ex- 
cerpta."  a  48-page  pamphlet. 

THE  AMIWONOL  CHEMICAL  CO., 

NEW  YORK,  U.  S.  A. 


FOE  SALE  OR  EXCHANGE. --^  large  Wimshurst  l-lectrical 
Machine  of  Improved  Pattern  and  fine  workmanship.  Yields  5  inch  spark 
and  is  suitable  for  X  Ray.  Physicians  Laboratory  or  Class-Room  work.  Also 
High  Vacuum  Crooke*s  Tube  and  other  accessories.  Will  sell  cheap  for 
cash  or  exchange  for  Microscope,  Microscopical  Accessories  or  Bacteriolog- 
ical Apparatus.— Secretary  Soi^H  western  Pharmacal  Co..  Cor.  Wash- 
ington and  Harrison  Avenues,  Holyoke»  Mass. 

Sixth    Edition  of 

THE     NIICROSCOPE 

AND    M10R0BC0HI(">ALx    MKTHOOe'. 
BY  SIMON   HENRY  GAGE. 

ProfeMor  of  MIcrowjopjr.  Histology  and  Embryology  In  Cornell  University  and  the  New 
York  State  Veterinary  College.  Ithar  —  --    -  -    - 


Tb«  flcum  iMve  been  int*reMed  frum  108  to  165. 


laca.  K.  Y.,  U.  8.  A. 
Id  DiAtter  thif  wiiHou  hw  gruwu  fmni  165  to  'i9r 


Tills  IncTttSM  U  dae  to  additions  in  the  t«xt  of  prerious  editiims  and  to  some  wholly  new  msttor 
apoo  Methods  of  iauhiti(»n  and  of  sectioning  by  tliec<41odion  and  by  the  paraffln  methods,  the  prei«rstion 
of  drswingM  for  publication  and  lecture  mom  diagram.  PRICK  91.50  POST  PAID.  CoasTora  PirsLtSH- 
wa  Co.,  Itbaca,  N .  Y. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


DIATOM  SLIDES 

Of  the    I^acific  Coast, 

Both  recent  and  fossil,  also  fossil  marine  from  New  Zealand 
and  other  parts  of  the  world,  40  cts.  per  slide,  $4.00  per  doz. 

O.  O.  HASTINGS, 

No.  9  Charles  St.,  Victoria,  British  Columbia. 


"MICROSCOPICAL  PRAXIS." 
By  I)r   Alfred  V.  Stokes. 

Plain  Jauguage.     Illustrated.     260  pp.     Neat  binding.     Price  11.5a 


MICROSCOPY  FOR  AMATEUR 


Q 


A  pamphlet  reprint  of  a  dollar  book,   containing   everything 
that  a  beginner  needs  t6  know.     Only  25  cents,  post-j^aid. 


THE  JOURNAL  OF  MARINE  /COOLOGY  AND  MICROvSCOPY 

Is.-uc'l  From 

THK   JKKSKY    IJIOLOGICAL   LABORATORY. 

This  is  a  plainly-worded  biological  quarterly  of  a  high  order. 
The  editor  makes  a  business  of  collecting  and  mounting  ma- 
rine specimens  for  many  of  tlie  great  Educational  Establish- 
ments and  Microscopical  Societies  of  Europe. 

We  have  received  the  appointment  as  American  agents  for 
their  Journal  and  for  their  slides.  Price  postpaid  Sl.OO  per 
year>    Sample  copies  25  cents. 


MODERN  MICROSCOPY. 

FOR  BEGINNERS.      ' 

PART  I.  — The  Microscope  and  Instructions  for  its  use. 
PART  II. — Microscopic  Objects :  How  prepared  and  mounted. 

By  Cross  and  Cole. 

LARGE  OCTAVO,  104  PAGES,  30  FIGURES  ;  PRICE  $1.25,  POSTPAID. 
Addrees,  Micboscopical  Publishing  Company, 

Washington,  D.  C. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


A  NEW  KDITION  nF 

InL.  ifl^KTSON  St  SONS' 

Illustrated  Catalogue  of  Microscopes,  Objectives 
and  Accessories. 

lu  it  will  l)e  fouDd  fully  described  all  the  latest  inipn>vemeuts  aud  deHigns 
of  the  Wataon  Instruments,  also  many  new  kinds  of  accessories  inHndingthe 
following : 

A  8EKIES  OF  NP:W  PAR  ACHROMATIC 

MICROSCOPIC    OBJECTIVES. 

These  lenses  will  he  found  to  x)088ess  large  apertures,  to  he  of  uniform  qual- 
ity, and  to  he  as  low  in  price  jvs  any  Objectives  in  the  market.  They  are 
t"onstructed  almost  entirely  of  Jena  Glass. 

The  following  are  selected  from  the  .Series 


i»OWEH.           N.  A. 

PRICE. 

POWER. 

N.  A. 

PRICE- 

1-2  inch            0.34 

£1.2.(1 

2-3  in. 

0.28 

£1.5.0 

1-4  inch            0.68 

1.5.0 

l-()  in. 

0.87 

1.10.0 

1-8  inch            0.8H 

2.0.0 

1-9  in. 

0.90 

.5.0 

Homogeneous  Immersion. 

1-Hinch            1-20 

4.15.0 

1-12  in. 

1.25 

5.0.0 

W.  WATSON  &  SONS' 

New   'M'ARACHROMATIC"  Substage  Condenser. 

This  condenser  ha.s  a  totiil  ai)ertnre  of  1  0  N.  A.,  has  an  extremely  large 
Aplauatic  Aperture,  exceeding  .90 *N.  A.  lls']>ower  is  2-7  inch,  and  with 
the  front  lens  removed,  4.10  inch.  It  is  mounted  with  Iris  Diaphiagm  and 
revolving  carrier  for  stops  for  dark  ground  and  <>h1i(|ue  illumination.  The 
Iris  Diaphragm  is  divided  so  a.<  to  indicate  the  N.  A.  at  vhirh  tlu*  condenser 
is  employed.     The  diameter  of  the  back  lens  is  5-8  inth. 

PRICE   COMPLETE    £3.15. 

APLANTIC  MAGNIFIERS. 

In  iiddition  to  W.  Watson  vS:  Sons'  well-known  regular  stfies  they  are 
working  Mr.  E.  M.  Nelson's  new  forni,  magnifying  15dianieters,  which  gives 
great  working  distance  and  large  aj>erture.  It  is  l)elieved  to  1>e  unequalled 
hy  any  similar  lens  for  qualities. 

PRICE — in  German  silver  mount,  pocket  form  I5.H. 
For  dis-secting,  in  ^<^ooden  1k)x  14.0. 

The  above  catalogue  will  he  mailed  post-free  on  application. 
MICROSCOPIC  01UECT8. 

Watson  Ct  Sons  hold  a  stock  of  40,000  specimeiio  all  of  the  liigiiest  class, 
forming  nndouhtedly  the  finest  collection  in  the  wmld.  I'mII  classified  list 
forward  post-free  on  application  tc» 

iA^.  WKTSON  St  SONS 

(ESTARLISHEI)  IS.^7) 
OPTICIANS  TO  H.  M.  (JOVKh^NMlfNT. 
313  High    Holhorn,   London.  W.  C:  and   7H   Swanston   Street,.  Mell)ourne. 

,\ustralia. 
Aw€irded  :^  Gold  aud  other  medals  at  International  Exhibitions  including 
5  Highest  Awards  at  the  World's  Fair,  Chieag«>,  lhJJ:J.     2  (iold  Medals,  l*aris 
Universal  Exhibition  1889  &c.  vtc. 
NOTE — The  postage  on  letters  to  Englan«l  is  .^  <<nts,  >tv  postal  rards  2  rt'vi*-. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL 

Contents  for  February,   1897. 

studies  iu  Diatom  Biology.     Cuuniiigham  • 33 

How   to  Make  aud  Stock  a  Fresh-water   Aqaarium.     Beuuett.     (Illus- 
trated)     41 

Surgical  Sterilization  and  Sterilizers  in  Private   Practice.     Boecknianu 

(Illustrated)  4-^ 

The  Preparation  of  Diphtheria  Antitoxic   Serum.     Mulford ,55 

Editobiai.. 

The  Cochineal  Insect &2 

New  Deposits  of  Infusorial  Earth  Found  in  Europe 63 

Microscopical  Appa^atuh. 

The  Microscope  in  Pharmacy (>;5 

Mk^koscopical  Manipulation. 

Preservation  of  Microscopic  Specimens (>4 

Infiltrating  Dental  and    Osseous  Tissues  for  Microscopical  Work  65 

Biological  Notkh 66 

BACTKRIOLtKiY. 

Bacteriosis  of  CarnatiooK 67 

Microbes  that  Make  Glucose 68 

Medical  Microscopy. 

Test  for  Typhoid  Fever 70 

PER»ONAr>i 70 

Microscopical  Noteh. 

Barbadoes :... T2 

Ink  for  Writing  on  Glass 72 


Digitized  by 


Google 


JUL    8      OOT 


Digitized  by 


Google 


HAND  OF  MUMMY,  3,000  YEARS  OLD,  TAKEN 

BY  \V.  WATSON  &  SONS,  WITH  THEIR 

RONTGEN  RAY  APPARATUS. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE    AMERICAN 

MONTHLY 

MICROSCOPICAL    JOURNAL. 


VOL.  XVIII.  FEBRUARY,  1897.  No.  2 

Studies  in  Diatom  Biology. 

By  K.  M.  CUNNINGHAM, 
MOBILB,  AI«A. 

During  the  month  of  November,  1895,  I  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  securing  a  very  interesting  gathering  of  living 
diatoms  under  the  following  conditions.  On  one  of  my 
excursions  I  incidentally  noted  that  the  surface  of  a  ditch 
used  for  transporting  saw  logs  through  a  marshy  flat,  was 
covered  with  a  thick  and  uniform  layer  of  greenish  scum, 
and  that  it  was  accidentally  banked  up  at  the  point,  by  a 
boat  paddle  arresting  its  passage  along  the  ditch.  The 
winds  were  driving  further  supplies  of  scum  to  the  ob- 
struction across  the  ditch.  A  momentary  inspection  in- 
dicated that  there  was  a  very  rich  accumulation  of  dia- 
toms. I  secured  a  pint  or  so  of  the  material  for  treat- 
ment and  study.  The  chief  or  most  numerous  form  oc- 
curing  in  the  gathering  was  Nitzschia  scalaris,  which 
species,  as  is  well  known,  is  among  the  largest  of  tlie 
prism-like  forms  commonly  encountered  all  over  the 
globe,  and  is  associated  with  fresh  or  brackish  waters. 
By  availing  myself  of  the  aid  of  this  special  form  in  its 
living  state,  I  was  enabled  to  prosecute  some  studies  tend- 
ing to  «^ive  additional  importance  to  the  hypothesis  that 
this  diatom  belongs  biologically  to  the  protozoa  rather 
than  to  the  plants.  I  shall  indicate  by  what  Hue  of  reas- 
oning I  venture  to  present  this  view  to  the  attention  of 
those  who  are  interested  in  biological  studies. 

As  a  primary  fact,  we  may  assert  that  when  a   portion 


Digitized  by 


Google 


34  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Feb. 

of  the  material  is  gathered  in  its  densest  state,  it  is  intro- 
duced into  a  suitable  bottle,  and  the  diatom  contents  are 
allowed  to  distribute  themselves  in  the  water.  It  is  soon 
evident  that  many  of  the  motile  forms  in  the  bottle  are 
attaching  themselves  to  the  inside  surface  of  the  bottle 
and  continue  their  motions  incessantly  in  any  chance  di- 
rection. If  now  whilt;  having  a  bottle  of  this  kindunder  in- 
spection, as  simple  an  apparatus  as  a  common  five  cent 
lens,  of  a  quarter  inch  focus  will  enable  anyone  to  follow 
the  motions  of  the  large  Nitzschia  scalaris  in  its  wander- 
ings while  in  contact  with  the  glass  surface.  This  fact 
alone  would  he  prima  facie  evidence  of  its  having  some 
organ  adapting  it  to  auto-locomotion,  and  that  in  a  par- 
ticularly striking  manner.  The  same  simple  aid  will 
also  show  that  if  one  extremity  of  the  prismatic  body  of 
the  Nitzschia  should  become  detached  by  shaking  from 
contact  with  the  side  of  the  bottle,  leaving  but  one  end 
adherent,  the  end  in  contact  still  may  have  sufficient 
motive  power  therein  to  propel  itself  along  the  glass, 
and  when  a  Nitzschia  is  thus  moving  around,  it  can  be 
followed  for  hours,  if  the  observer  is  so  disposed. 

This  is  the  simple  character  of  an  initial  study  that 
might  have  been  made  by  Leewenhoeck  in  his  day,  with 
credit  to  himself  for  whatever  his  observing  mind  might 
have  noted  in  relation  thereto.  If  now,  however,  the 
conditions  under  which  we  view  the  Nitzschia  be  modi- 
fied, we  may  find  a  new  series  of  phenomena  that  would 
have  been  totally  overlooked  in  the  experiment  noted 
above.  If  during  the  study  we  transfer  a  dip  of  the  dia- 
tom material  covering  8t>Bie  of  the  Nitzschias  to  a  glass 
slip,  and  cover  tlie  same  with  a  cover  glass  and  view  the 
living  frustules  with  the  aid  of  a  1-6  objective,  then  the 
peculiarities  of  locomotive  and  motile  effects  may  be  very 
readily  observed.  A  close  study  will  verify  the  fact  that 
the  Nitzschia  has  a  distinct  movement;  not  merely  of 
progression  or  change  of  place  in  a  rectilinear   path,  but 


i 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  35 

also  that  the  entire  epidermal  coat  may  be  actively  en- 
gaged in  gathering  up  any  character  of  minute  mineral 
or  other  debris  along  its  path.  Such  particles  as  become 
attached,  are  independently  moved  from  numerous  cen- 
ters of  vital  action.  This  is  as  if  the  epidermal  surface 
at  any  given  point  had  a  retractile  and  contractile  power, 
independent  of  any  other  given  point  of  vital  action  along 
the  frustular  surface.  The  motile  functions  consist  of 
the  power  of  transporting  small  mineral  particles  such 
as  sand  grains  and  vegetal  debris  for  appreciable  di^^- 
tances  along  its  edges  or  surface,  and  of  rejecting  them 
and  substituting  new  particles.  The  particles  may  be 
jerked  up  at  any  point  and  carried  indifferently  in  a  posi- 
tive or  negative  direction  from  the  point  of  attachment, 
until  these  particles  are  replaced  by  new  ones.  It  should 
strike  any  observer  who  may  verify  these  phases  of  ac- 
tion that  such  phenomena  point  to  a  more  complex  cilia- 
like  function  than  that  which  may  be  noted  in  the  ciliary 
fringes  of  an  oyster  or  clam.  The  latter  cilia  motion 
lashes  and  drives  the  particles  in  a  general  direction  or 
current.  The  complicated  system  of  moving  particles 
can  also  be  followed  in  itn  interminable  variations  as  long 
as  it  may  suit  the  convenience  of  the  observer  to  change 
the  specimen  of  Nitzschia  under  observation,  on  account 
of  its  relatively  conspicuous  size.  Nitzschia  scalaris  is  a 
very  satisfactery  species  in  which  to  study  the  character 
of  its  vital  movements. 

The  internal  frustular  contents  present  an  abundance 
of  globular  bodies  of  varying  sizes  which  have  a  constant 
independent  motion  among  themselves,  that  is,  their  juxta- 
position is  seen  to  be  constantly  changing  when  very 
carefully  noted. 

Nitzschia  scalaris  when  viewed  under  a  power  of  500 
diameters  is  longer  than  any  other  of  the  North  Ameri- 
can specimens  of  the  bacillar  forms,  and  therefore  can  be 


Digitized  by 


Google 


36  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Feb. 

observed  with  ease  in  verifying   what  is  said   herein    in 
reference  to  its  intricate  motile  powers. 

In  farther  stadies  of  Navicula  nobilis  and  firma,  with 
the  view  to  verifying  the  results  obtained  by  a  former 
contributor  on  the  subject  of  the  movements  of  diatoms, 
I  made  nse  of  methyl-blue  to  differentiate  the  epidermal 
covering  or  mantle,  by  the  following  methods.  From  a 
rich  gathering  of  living  Navicula  nobilis,  firma  and 
Surirella  biserriata,  and  other  forms,  I  transferred  a 
drop  to  a  slip,  and  observed  them  with  a  i  inch  objective. 
By  this  means  I  was  enabled  to  note  that  as  many  as 
twenty  forms  of  N.  nobilis  and  firma  could  be  found  in 
parallel  contact  at  one  and  the  same  time,  gliding  back 
and  forth  in  contact  with  each  other,  somewhat  after  the 
manner  that  colonies  of  Bacillaria  paradoxa  move  at  times. 
While  having  this  special  gathering  under  study  in  order 
to  note  the  character  of  the  epidermal  envelope,  it  be- 
came relatively  easy  to  note  the  amount  of  separation  be- 
tween two  or  more  touching  frustulesof  the  surrounding* 
transparent  layers.  Now,  admitting  that  the  external 
layer,  if  it  exists  at  all,  must  have  the  character  of  an  al- 
buminous substance,  such  as  the  white  of  an  egg,  the 
substance  ought  to  coagulate  under  a  boiling  temperature, 
and  take  on  an  altered  or  fixed  state  the  same  as  the 
white  of  an  egg  does  when  boiled  sufficiently.  By 
shortly  drying  such  a  slide  of  living  diatoms  over  a  stud- 
ents'lamp  flame,  and  completing  the  mount  with  thin 
balsam,  we  find  that  the  epidermal  covering  has  been 
changed  to  a  practically  impervious  envelope.  The  thin 
balsam  failed  tu  penetrate  mauy  of  the  frustules  during 
a  period  extending  over  months.  The  slide  on  examin- 
ation perodically  showed  the  frustules  to  be  filled  with 
air,  and  the  shrunken  or  contracted  threads  of  endoplasm 
still  showed  a  strong  greenish  tint  in  the  air  filled  spaces. 
On  the  contrary,  it  is  well  know  that,  in  acid-treated  dia- 
toms of  like  character,  there  is  almost  an  immediate  ex- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  37 

palsioQ  of  air  from  the  frustale,  and  a  substitution  of 
the  balsam  in  the  air  spaces.  If  these  phases  of  study 
are  accurately  construed^  we  have  a  demonstration  of 
the  presence  of  enveloping  substance  on  the  exterior  of 
the  silicious  frustules  without  resorting  to  staining  tests 
for  a  like  purpose. 

Continuing  this  investigation,  I  made  an  attempt  to 
differentiate  the  protoplasmic  mantle  with  the  aid  of 
dyes  in  order  to  verify  an  experimental  study  recorded 
several  years  ago  by  C.  Onderdonk  and  published  in  this 
journal.  While  I  failed  to  duplicate  what  was  stated 
therein,  I  found  a  wide  range  of  interesting  phenomena 
throwing  light  on  the  structure  of  the  living  diatoms. 
By  placing  a  drop  of  water  with  numerous  large  Navic- 
ulsB  on  a  slip  and  covering  it  with  a  i  inch  cover  glass, 
and  then  placing  in  contact  with  the  edge  of  the  cover- 
glass,  a  minute  grain  of  crystalline  methyl-blue,  the  dye 
was  speedily  diffused  from  the  edge  of  the  glass  and 
passed  slowly  across  the  fluid  field.  Then  it  was  a  very 
easy  matter  to  steadily  observe  for  protracted  intervals 
the  action  of  the  dye,  as  its  influence  reached  the  living 
frustules.  For  example,  the  stain  was  absorbed  by  the 
frustule  both  inside  as  well  as  outside,  some  time  before 
it  was  perceptible  in  the  thin  layer  of  liquid;  and  more 
markedly  absorbed  by  the  internal  protoplasmic  granules 
when  the  dyeing  action  became  more  evident.  The  evi- 
dence of  a  strong  irritation  on  the  part  of  the  frustule  is 
readily  observed  as  it  quickly  loses  the  power  of  direct 
axial  motion  and  swerves  irregularly  and  spasmodically 
at  alternate  ends^  unable  to  advance  in  its  normal  man- 
ner. It  may  even  spin  around  iu  its  own  length,  the 
power  of  controlling  its  normal  traveling  motion  being 
in  a  manner  paralyzed.  At  least  this  would  be  the  pro- 
bable interpretation,  that  any  observer  would  identify 
with  an  irritating  toxic  substance  acting  on  organisms 
having  a  determined  or  even  conjectural  nervous  system 


Digitized  by 


Google 


38  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Feb. 

or  a  cellular  structure  to  which  poisons  would  be  deadly 
in  their  elBTect.  The  process  of  encroachment  of  an  aniline 
dye  and  its  lethal  results  may  be  studied  with  equal  in- 
terest in  the  smaller  Navicul®  as  in  the  larger.  There  is 
the  same  activity  of  irritation  and  arresting  of  locomo- 
tive power,  and  finally  the  death  of  the  bioplasmic 
power,  whether  inside  or  outside  of  the  frustule.  For 
those  who  could  find  interest  in  the  death  struggles  of 
vertebrate  animals,  as  seen  in  the  case  of  iSpanish  bull 
fights,  or  the  asphyxiation  of  dogs  during  the  canicula, 
might  be  found  plenty  of  mental  excitement  in  following 
the  death  throes  of  a  diatom  from  start  to  finish,  under 
the  method  of  drowning  in  a  weak  aniline  bath. 

After  having  had  sufficient  familiarity  with  the  phases 
leading  up  to  the  extinction  of  the  life  process  of  a  series 
of  living  diatoms  in  the  field  of  the  microscope,  it  would 
perhaps  be  repugnant  to  the  student  to  admit  that  he  has 
been  witnessing  vital  phenomena  characteristic  alone  in 
its  nature  of  plant  or  vegetable  life.  These  forms  have 
heretofore  been  deemed  too  insignificant  to  warrant  for 
them  a  place  among  the  Protozoans;  the  fundamental  or 
simplest  class  of  animal  life  which  modern  science  has  so 
far  been  able  to  trace. 

By  varying  the  dyeing  tests  with  a  substitution  of  com- 
mon violet  writing  ink,  I  found  features  not  observed  dur- 
ing a  lengthy  study  with  methyl  blue.  When  the  violet 
stain  reached  the  Navicula,  I  noted  that  what  appeared  to 
be  a  sort  of  vermicular  festoon  was  formed  from  the  man- 
tle or  surface  of  the  frustule,  and  the  vermicular  shreds 
broke  olBT  and  drifted  away  leaving  some  strands  adher- 
ing to  its  sides  and  small  villous  tufts  at  each  end  of  the 
frustule.  This  seemed  to  represent  to  me,  what  C.  Onder- 
donk  described  as  the  mantle  expanding  or  crinkling 
up  like  folds  of  cloth  around  the  edges  of  the  frustule. 
Apart  from  this,  I  found  nothing  that  I  could  identify 
as  that  which  he  stated  he  had  repeatedly    verified  in  re- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


189*7]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  39 

gard  to  a  differentiation  of  the  mantle  {ectoderm)  envelop- 
ing the  navicular  forms  by  the  use  of  methyl  green.  I 
had  stained  slides  richly  strewn  with  living  diatoms  up- 
on which  I  made  my  observations  and,  on  drying,  the 
frustules  were  examined  superficially  with  condensed 
light,  and  otherwise,  only  to  find  that  the  frustules  gave 
off  the  metallic  sheen  of  the  dye,  with  the  sculptural 
markings  showing  clearly;  but  the  frustules  were  sur- 
rounded where  in  con4.act  with  the  slip  by  a  crystalline 
fringe  of  the  methyl  blue.  They  then  simulated  what 
might  be  construed  as  a  sort  of  ciliary  projection.  This 
makes  any  deduction  with  reference  to  the  mantle  from 
this  mode  of  study  an  unknown  quantity.  The  essential 
points  of  C.  Onderdouk*8  paper  in  relation  to  the  mantle 
of  the  diatom,  and  a  conjecture  touching  the  seat  of  the 
vital  function  controlling  its  motile  power,  were  adopted 
by  WoUe  in  his  Biatomaceas  of  North  America.  Therein 
the  marvelous  phenomena  of  the  diatom's  power  to  handle 
and  rush  grains  of  sand^  as  often  as  its  necessities  may 
require  it  to  do  so,  is  entirely  overlooked.  I  allude  to 
the  portion  of  the  work  upon  the  "Motion  of  Diatoms." 
This  function  of  the  diatom  to  gather  up  and  transport 
mineral  particles  energetically,  is  one  that  can  be  readily 
verified  with  the  aid  of  a  1-6  objective.  No  one  need 
miss  it.     The  study  involves  no  diificulties. 

W.  A.  Terry,  an  expert  student  of  the  living  diatom, 
has  frequently  made  allusions  to  the  peculiarities  of  mo- 
tion observed  by  himself,  and  from  sources  of  supply  that 
I  have  never  had  an  opportunity  to  inspect,  he  has  re- 
cently put  on  record  the  statement  that  some  of  the  very 
large  living  Amphiprora'  observed  by  him  might  pass 
for  vegetables. but  never  for  plants.  As  it  was  not  his 
object  to  seek  for  data  to  establish  the  Protozoan  nature 
of  the  Diatom  his  observations  were  not  sufficieutlycrit- 
ical  to  contribute  to  a  formulary  of  expression  adapted  to 
animal  biology.     He  had  incidently  noted  that  a  vigorouti 


Digitized  by 


Google 


40  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Feb. 

diatom  had  tractive  power  sufScient  to  push  or  pall  a 
mass  of  obstructing  matter  equal  to  its  own  bulk  or  even 
greater.  In  connection  witli  these  remarks,  it  may  be 
proper  to  relate  that  he  has  recently  been  cultivating  or 
growing  the  living  forms  and  kindly  offered  to  mail  to 
me  a  culture  sample.  But  we  feared  that  they  would 
not  arrive  in  good  condition  if  sent. 

Acting  on  a  suggestion  derived  from  H.  L.  Smith's 
work  in  relation  to  the  action  of  alkali  on  the  protoplasm 
of  the  living  frustules  in  an  experimentnl  way,  I  found 
that  if  a  mounted  slide  of  living  diatoms  was  immersed 
in  strong  white  soap  solution  and  set  aside  for  about 
twenty-four  hours,  all  the  frustules  containing  the  living 
endoplasm  were  burst  asunder  into  numerous  small  frag- 
ments, and  the  greenish  contents  were  driven  out  and 
distributed  in  rills  over  the  slide.  This  also  showed  that 
sutural  lines  are  weak  points  in  the  frustural  box. 

In  an  attempt  to  clean  a  considerable  quantity  of  ma- 
terial, from  which  the  studies  of  Nitzschia  scalaris  were 
made,  by  boiling  in  a  pearline  solution,  the  result  showed 
that  the  recent  species  had  become  badly  distorted  by  a 
partial  solvent  action,  and  a  softening  of  the  silex.  This 
I  had  never  previously  noticed  in  acid  treatment,  but  I 
had  been  aware  of  the  necessity  of  using  the  alkalies  cau- 
tiously in  one  stage  of  the  cleaning  process. 

Those  who  undertake  to  solve  for  themselves  the  mys- 
terious cause  of  motion  in  the  diatoms,  will  be  confronted 
with  a  species  of  phenomena  of  the  most  puzzling  inter- 
est. If  the  living  diatoms  have  been  retained  in  the 
same  bottle  of  water  for  a  period  extending  over  three 
days  or  more,  the  study  will  be  complicated  by  the  growth 
in  the  water  of  several  kinds  of  spirillum,  which  are  apt 
to  colonize  around  the  edges  of  all  diatoms.  When  this 
is  the  case,  it  may  so  happen  that  when  a  large  Navicula 
is  being  closly  studied  in  the  field  in  expecting  to  detect 
some  characteristic  of  motion,  the  mind  will  suddenly  be 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  41 

attracted  by  lightning-like  flashes  of  little  specks  with 
spiral  and  vibrating  movements  that  dart  from  the  ends 
and  sides  of  the  moving  diatom.  The  illusion  at  first 
takes  the  form  of  an  idea  that  the  diatom  is  discharg- 
ing nettle-like  threads,  and  as  quickly  retracting  them. 
Should  the  mind  get  caught  under  this  spell  once,  it  will 
be  a  material  duration  of  time  before  the  observer,  fascin- 
ated by  this  illusory  appearance,  can  dissociate  his  mind 
from  the  idea  that  what  is  seen  is  not  a  part  of  the  vital 
function  of  the  ectoderm  of  the  diatom,  and  properly  re- 
fer this  action  to  the  parasitic  colonies  of  Spirilla,  which 
seem  to  be  living  in  symbiosis  with  their  host  the  Navi- 
cula. 

How  to  Make  and  Stock  a  Fresh-water  Aquarium. 

By  REGINALD  A.  R.  BENNETT,  M.  A.  (Oxon). 


CONSTRUCTION  OF  THE  TANK  ITSEI.F. 

When  I  saw  the  above  announced  as  one  of  the  sub- 
jects for  the  forth-coming  competitions,  I  at  once  made 
up  my  mind  to  send  in  a  series,  and  hope  for  the  prize, 
for  the  *'B.  M/*  has  been  an  old  friend  to  me  for  many  a 
long  year,  and  I  have  all  the  back  volumes  from  the  very 
beginning  arranged  on  my  bookshelf.  I  cannot  truly 
say  that  I  took  it  in  from  the  beginning,  the  first  num- 
bers having  been  presented  to  me  some  years  after- 
wards; but,  no  doubt,  I  should  have  taken  it  when  it  first 
came  out  had  it  not  been  for  the  fact  that  the  first  num- 
bers appeared  during  the  same  year  that  I  myself  burst 
upon  this  lower  sphere,  and  at  that  time  I  was  more  in- 
terested in  the  maternal  lacteal  fiuid  than  even  in  the 
advance  of  science.  However,  later  volumes  have  been 
of  invaluable  service  to  me,  and  this  is  by  no  means  the 
first  time  that  I  have  written  in  **Ours,*'  though  not  be- 
fore in  the  form  of  an  article. 

As  I  see  that  there  has  been  some  discussion  as  to  the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


42  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  fFeb 

capabilities  of  the  winnerB  of  these  prizes,  I  will  here 
state  that  I  am  writing  this  series  from  a  personal  ex- 
perience with  the  matter,  having  myself  practically  kept 
fresh  water  (and  I  may  add,  also  marine)  aquaria  for  a 
good  many  years.  The  system  and  details  of  working 
laid  down  are^  therefore,  the  result  of  practical  knowl- 
edge. 

I  do  not  think  it  is  necessary,  in  the  pages  of  this 
journal,  to  enter  very  deeply  into  the  science  involved  in 
the  maintaining  of  an  aquarium.  Most  of  its  readers  are, 
doubtless,  aware  of  the  compensating  action  of  the  vari- 
ous animal  and  vegetable  organisms,  whereby  the  bal- 
ance of  life  is  kept  up,  and  the  fishes,  etc.,  supply  car- 
bonic-acid gas  which  the  plants,  if  in  good  health,  util- 
ize in  the  formation  of  their  tissues,  transforming  it  into 
pure  oxygen,  which  being  dissolved  by  the  water,  is 
taken  up  by  the  fishes  and  other  animal  organisms  to  be 
utilized  in  the  aeration  of  their  blood.  From  a  consid- 
eration of  these  facts,  it  naturally  follows  that  in  our 
aquarium  we  must  have  a  supply  of  healthy  plants  to 
manufacture  the  oxygen  required,  if  the  fishes  are  to  be 
kept  for  a  loug  time  in  a  satisfactory  state  of  prospericy. 
Given  the  suitable  conditions,  and  it  is  perfectly  possible 
to  keep  the  aquarium  for  many  years  without  changing 
the  water,  or  moving  animals  or  weeds.  In  practice  I 
have  done  this  myself,  though  if  the  aquarium  keeper 
has  a  sufficiency  of  time  on  his  hands,  I  think  an  occa- 
sional turning  out  and  cleaning  is  more  likely  to  produce 
a  pleasing  effect  on  the  eye  than  leaving  the  tank  to  it- 
self for  the  longest  possible  time.  A  great  deal,  how- 
ever, depends  upon  the  amount  of  water  employed. 

In  setting  up  the  aquarium,  the  first  thing  must  neces- 
sarily be  the  manufacture  of  the  tank  itself.  And  here 
we  are  confronted  by  the  question  of  the  most  suitable 
dimensions.  I  do  not  think,  in  the  case  of  a  fresh  water- 
tank,  the  depth   is   a  matter   of  very   great  importance^ 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18fc7.I  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  43 

as  it  certainly  is  ia  the  case  of  a  salt-water  one.  The 
amount  of  water  it  is  to  hold  must^  of  coarse,  settle  its 
actual  size  ;  bat,  as  a  rale,  it  should  be  said  that  no  tank 
should  be  deeper  than  it  is  wide,  and  its  length  should 
be  about  twice  as  long  as  its  width.  To  descend  to  par- 
ticulars :  to  hold  12  gallons  the  tank  may  be  about  27  in. 
by  16  in.  by  14  in.  deep.  One  to  hold  up  to  20  gallons 
will  be  about  36  in.  long  by  22  in.  broad  by  18  in.  deep. 

As  to  the  actual  structure  of  the  tank,  this,  of  course, 
depends  very  much  upon  the  taste  of  the  maker.  Person- 
ally, I  think  the  plainer  the  tank  is  (within  limits)  the 
better.  It  is  the  fishes  and  plants,  etc.,  that  are  the  ob- 
jects of  attraction — not  a  gorgeously  ornamented  tank. 
For  this  reason  I  look  upon  all  ornamental  'Hops,"  brass 
fringes,  etc.,  round  the  edges,  and  carved  images  on  the 
pillars,  etc.,  as  abominations.  If  the  tank  is  to  have  a 
top  it  can  be  composed  of  two  perfectly  plain  pieces  of 
glass,  each  the  width  of  the  tank  frame  and  rather  less 
than  half  its  length,  thus  leaving  a  little  strip  between 
them  when  they  are  placed  in  position,  through  which 
the  air  can  get  at  the  water.  If  the  beetles,  etc.,  show 
a  disposition  to  get  out  the  vacancy  can  afterwards  be 
covered  with  a  strip  of  perforated  zinc.  The  glass  is,  of 
course,  held  in  its  place  by  fitting  into  a  rabbet  in  the 
upper  surface  of  the  frame,  in  which  it  can  lie. 

The  following  will,  I  hope,  be  sufllciently  explicit 
directions  as  to  the  actual  manufacture  of  the  tank  for 
those  who  have  never  constructed  anything  similar  before. 
The  first  thing  to  do  is  to  make  the  bottom.  For  this  I 
have  tried  plain  wood,  wood  painted  and  varnished,  and 
wood  covered  with  glass  and  cement,  and  am  decidedly  of 
opinion  that  wood  in  any  form  is  to  be  avoided.  The 
best  thing  to  use  is  a  tolerably  thick  slab  of  slate^  and 
taking  my  first  dimensions  of  the  tank  as  an  example,  I 
think  for  this  the  slab  ought  to  measure  about  29  in.  by 
18  in.  by  2  in.  thick.     This  allows  of  a  width  of   an  inch 


Digitized  by 


Google 


44 


THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY 


[Feb. 


all  round,  which  is  advisable,  though  not  esssential.  In 
this  slate,  at  a  distance  of  about  an  inch  from  the  edge 
all  round,  you  have  to  make  grooves  with  holes  at  the  ends 
for  the  bottoms  of  the  pillars,  see  Fig.  1.  These  boles 
should  be  about  1  in.  in  depth  and  the  same  in  breadth ; 
the  grooves  should  be  aboiit  i  in.  broad  and  at  least  1  in. 
deep.  You  now  have  to  construct  the  pillars,  which  are 
made  of  hard  birch  wood — or  mahogany  will  do — and 
are  shaped  as  Fig.  2.  The  sides  are,  in  my  opinion,  best 
square,  but  you  can  make  them  round  if  you  prefer  it. 
If  square,  the  sides  may  measure  2  in.  in  breadth ;  if 
round,  they  ought  to  be  at  least  2i  in.  in  diameter.     The 


^mt(MO^HM, 


ends  are,  of  course,  to  be  cut  to  a  circle  about  1  in.  in 
diameter,  or,  better,  shaped  to  accurately  fit  the  holes 
made  in  the  slate  bottom.  The  part  thus  shaped  will, 
therefore,  be  about  1  in.  long,  while  the  middle  (square) 
part  will  be  about  14  in.  long.  Down  the  middle  of  the 
pillars,  on  two  sides,  at  right  angles,  are  to  be  cut  grooves 
about  \  in.  broad  and  at  least  i  in.  in  depth.  Some  may 
think  my  measurements  unnecessarily  large,  but  I  have 
suffered  so  severely  in  bygone  years  from  aquaria  which 
leaked  that  I  am  quite  resolved  that  if  my  measurements 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897.]         MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  46 

are  followed  the  English  Mechanic  tank  shall^  at  any 
rate,  he  water-tight.  To  secure  this  desirable  end,  we 
have  to  fasten  the  pillars  in  their  places  with  cement,  and 
on  this  cement  a  great  deal  depends.  It  has  to  be  elastic 
to  a  certain  degree,  so  as  to  allow  for  changes  of  temper- 
atnre  and  the  consequent  expansion  and  contraction  of 
the  glass  and  wood,  it  has  to  firmly  resist  the  passage  of 
the  water,  and  it  has  to  be  one  that  will  harden  in  a  fairly 
short  time,  and  that  will  not  smell  objectionable,  as  the 
living  inhabitants  of  the  tank  are  particularly  susceptible 
to  any  foulness  of  the  water  caused  by  smells.  The  two 
best  cements  that  I  know  of  for  the  purpose^  and  which 
fairly  fulfil  the  conditions  required  of  them,  are  the  fol- 
lowing : — 

Mix  together  one  pint  each  of  litharge^  plaster  of  Paris, 
pure  white  sand,  and  two-thirds  of  a  pint  of  freshly 
powered  resin.  These  are  thoroughly  incorporated  to- 
gether by  turning  them  over  and  rubbing  them  into  one 
another  with  the  hands,  and  the  mixture  is  then  made 
into  paste  with  boiled  oil  and  a  little  driers.  It  should 
be  of  sufScient  consistency  to  dry  pretty  quickly,  but  not 
so  stift'  but  that  it  will  get  into  the  holes  and  corners 
easily.  If  properly  made  this  will  not  take  long  to  dry; 
but  you  must  leave  the  tank  for  a  week  at  least,  or  more, 
before  you  attempt  to  stock  it;  and  when  you  do  so  you 
must  be  quite  sure,  firstly,  that  the  cement  is  really  hard, 
and,  secondly,  that  the  smell  has  entirely  departed.  The 
second  cement  is  made  by  melting  in  an  iron  ladle  over 
a  gas  flame  or  lamp  tiiree-parts  of  pitch  and  one  of  gutta- 
percha. When  they  are  throughly  melted  and  incorpor- 
ated together,  apply  liquid,  and  leave  to  set.  Tbis  will 
not  take  so  long  as  the  other  to  dry,  but  it  must  be  left 
till  the  smell  has  departed.  It  is  impossible  to  lay  too 
great  stress  on  this  matter.  To  use  the  tank  too  soon  is 
not  merely  to  court  defeat,  but  to  positively  insure  it. 
If  the  lead  cement  is  used,  it  is  advisable  to  cover  it  with 


Digitized  by 


Google 


46  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Feb. 

two  or  three  coats  of  varnish,  made  by  dissolving  sealing- 
wax  in  methylated  spirits  of  wine.  When  the  pillars  are 
fixed  in  their  places,  yon  can  proceed  to  insert  the  glass. 
This  is  what  is  commonly  called  *'32iQ."  sheet  glass,  and 
is  cat  to  exactly  fit  the  grooves.  The  panes  are  firmly 
bedded  in  with  the  cement,  and  a  light  frame  work  is  fit- 
ted on  the  top  to  hold  all  together.  This  framework  is 
shown  in  Fig.  3.  It  is  merely  a  frame  about  1^  in.  in 
width  and  one-half  inch  in  thickness.  The  top  of  each 
pillar,  above  the  square  part,  is  cat  to  this  length  and  in- 
serted in  the  holes  at  the  corner,  and  small  knobs  are  in- 
serted at  the  corners  to  give  the  tank  an  ornamental  ap- 
pearance. If  a  glass  top  is  wished  for,  the  frame  is  cut 
with  a  rabbet  about  i  in.  wide  all  round  on  its  upper 
surface  to  receive  the  edges  of  the  glass.  The  final  ap- 
pearance of  the  tank  is  shown  in  Fig.  4. 

If  the  tank  has  to  stand  in  a  very  sunny  situation,  I 
think  it  is  decidedly  advisable  to  provide  some  means  or 
other  of  keeping  out  the  superfluous  light,  as  it  acts 
most  injuriously  on  the  creature  in  it;  and  causes  such  a 
growth  of  confervse  on  the  sides  that  it  is  a  continual  nui- 
sance to  keep  them  clean.  For  this  purpose  I  have  al- 
ways considere<i  it  best  to  have  light  shutters  of  thin 
wood  constructed  which  will  just  go  inside  the  frame 
formed  by  the  bottom,  top  frame,  and  pillars,  and  outside 
the  glass.  This  is  done  so  easily  that  it  requires  no  fur- 
ther description.  I  think  this  plan  is  desirable,  because 
it  allows  of  the  complete  closing  of  the  sides  of  the  tank 
in  summer,  when  the  weather  is  warm,  and  allows  the 
shutters  to  be  removed  when  it  is  desired  to  see  any  ob- 
ject close  to  the  glass,  or  when  the  weather  is  cold  during 
the  winter.  It  is,  therefore,  much  to  be  preferred  to 
making  the  sides  or  ends  permanently  of  slate. 

In  this  series  there  is  not  space  to  describe  further  de- 
velopments of  the  construction  of  the  tank.  It  is  also 
unuacessary,  for  any  one,  given   the  above   details,   can 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897.]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  47 

easily  coastract  any  other  form  which  his  fancy  may  de- 
vise, or  in  combination  with  window  conservatories,  etc., 
by  the  use  of  a  little  brains.  If  the  simple  form  of  tank 
is  nsed  yon  will  require  a  stand  for  it.  This  may  have  a 
top  of  its  own,  or  the  bottom  of  the  tank  may  form  the 
top.  Anyhow,  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that  it 
must,  before  all  things,  be  firm  and  steady,  as  a  collapse 
would  be  about  as  unpleasant  a  reverse  of  fortune  as  could 
befall  the  tyro  aquarium  keeper.  It  is  preferable  to  use 
a  table  or  stand  with  side  bars  between  the  legs  about 
half  way  down. 

When  you  are  perfectly  satisfied  that  the  tank  is  quite 
dry,  the  cement  hard,  and  that  no  smell  is  issuing  from 
it,  you  can  proceed  to  stock  it,  the  method  of  which  wil] 
be  cousidered  in  the  next  chapter.  But  before  placing 
anything  in  it,  it  should  be  most  thoroughly  cleansed  by 
washing,  and  then  rinsed  with  fresh  water.  After  this, 
it  must  undergo  a  further  process  of  purification  by  fill- 
ing it  with  fresh  water  every  few  hours  at  first  and  letting 
it  soak,  then  fresh  water  at  intervals  of  a  day,  until  the 
water  is  perfectly  free  from  any  smell,  and  especially 
from  any  prismatic  scum  on  the  surface,  which  is  a  sure 
indication  of  danger. — E^iglish  Mechanic, 

We  learn  from  the  French  newspapers  that  M.  Etienne 
will  shortly  introduce  in  the  Chamber  of  Deputies  a  bill 
introducing"  the  decimal  subdivison  of  time. 

Mr.  C.  G.  Pringle  has  just  returned  from  another  botan- 
ical journey  in  Mexico,  where,  during  the  past  season,  he 
has  secured  about  20,000  herbarium  specimens  in  the  val- 
ley of  Mexico  and  in  Cuernavaca. 

On  account  of  his  important  work  on  Blood  Test  for  cat- 
tle tuberculois,  which  has  been  published  in  many  scienti- 
fic papers  at  home  and  abroad.  Dr.  Ephraim  Cutter,  LL. 
D.,  has  been  invited  to  go  to  Africa  to  study  the  cattle  Rin- 
derpest, under  the  EJn^lish  government. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


48  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Feb. 

Surgical  Sterilization  and  Sterilizers  in  Private  Practice. 

By  EDWARD  BOECKMANN,  M.  D., 
ST.  PA.UI/,   MINK. 

Last  May  I  delivered  an  address  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  he- 
'  fore  the  Association  of  Military  sargeons  of  the  United 
States,  on  * 'Asepsis  in  Military  Service."  This  address, 
printed  in  the  transactions  of  that  society,  considers  at 
length  the  principles  of  sterilization,  and  gives  at  the 
same  time  a  number  of  practical  points  just  as  applicable 
in  operations  in  private  practice  as  in  operations  in  mili 
tary  service,  for  which  reason  I  take  the  liberty  to  refer 
you  to  that  for  details. 

With  regard  to  the  mechanical  and  chemic  phases  of 
surgical  sterilization  I  have  not  much  to  add  to  or  take 
from  what  I  said  last  y(par.  Supported  by  further  ex- 
perience, I  can  this  year  more  strongly  than  last  recom- 
mend the  1  to  2  per  cent  solutions  of  lysol  at  120  degrees 
F.  for  combined  mechanical  and  chemic  disinfection  of 
the  operator's  hands  and  the  patient*s  skin. 

Lysol  possesses  the  undeniable  advantage  of  being  at 
the  same  time  antiseptic  and  aseptic;  it  is  a  happy  com- 
bination of  a  powerful  disinfectant  and  soap  (saponified 
cresol).  It  has  the  dissolving  and  penetrating  properties 
of  an  alkaline  substance.  I  know  of  no  agent  which  at 
the  present  time  is  better  adapted  and  more  reliable  in 
the  disinfection  of  the  skin  than  lysol,  with  the  possible 
exception  of  alcohol,  which  certainly,  with  good  reasons, 
receives  the  support  of  the  world.  Heretofore  we  have 
viewed  alcohol  in  the  light  of  a  purely  mechanical  agent 
in  the  disinfection  of  the  skin;  this  can  no  longer  be  suc- 
cessfully maintained.  Alcohol  is  certainly  a  potent  sol- 
vent of  a  great  number  of  substances,  sparingly,  how- 
ever, of  fats.  Alcohol  must  be  viewed  as  a  strong  anti- 
septic, possessing  the  same  significance  for  the  skin  as 
for  anatomic  preparations,  taking  up  its  moisture,  pene- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  49 

trating  and  hardening  them;  a  decided  advantage  over 
ether  and  turpentine,  which  certainly  dissolve  fat  much 
more  readily,  but  which  are  much  less  hydrophile.  In 
order  to  obtain  the  greatest  possible  antiseptic  effects  of 
alcohol  it  is  obvious  that  the  skin  must  be  dried,  and 
strong,  preferably  absolute  alcohol  used,  an^  the  skin 
energetically  rubbed  for  some  little  time.  Since  experi- 
ence has  taugh  me  that  the  germicidal  principle  in  lysol 
acts  as  a  powerful  antiseptic  in  the  above  mentioned 
strength,  and  as  a  prolonged  friction  with  absolute  alco- 
hol makes  my  skin  uncomfortably  hard  and  brittle,  I  re- 
serve the  alcohol  for  the  field  of  operation  only. 

The  last  act  in  my  sterilization  of  the  skin  consists  in 
impregnating  it  with  sterilized  lanolin.  By  this  pro- 
cedure it  is  my  intention  to  restore  to  the  integument  its 
fatty  protective,  which  has  been  removed  to  the  greatest 
possible  extent  by  the  preceding  chemico-mechanical  dis- 
infection; at  the  same  time  I  aim  to  cover  up  the  remain- 
ing, inaccessible  bacteria.  Lanoliu,  which  is  rich  in 
bacteria,  is  sterilized  simply  by  heating  the  anhydrous 
article  over  the  fire  in  an  enameled  vessel  to  about  350 
degrees  F.,  whereupon  it  is  either  run  into  collapsible 
tubes  (sterilized  in  boiling  water),  or  mixed  with  four  to 
five  parts  of  anhydrous  ether,  as  soon  as  it  has  cooled 
below  the  boiling  point  of  the  latter,  and  then  put  into 
patent  stoppered,  sterilized  glass  bottles.  Lanolin  con- 
tains a  great  many  impurities  not  soluble  in  ether,  and 
which  sink  to  the  bottom  as  a  voluminous,  white  sedi- 
ment; only  the  clear,  yellow  solution  is  used. 

Provided  with  lysol,  absolute  alcohol  and  ethereal  solu- 
tion of  sterilized  lanolin,  we  are  enabled  to  disinfect  the 
skin,  the  most  dreaded  bearer  of  infection,  as  safely  I 
imagine,  as  is  possible  at  this  time;  and  with  as  few  and 
simple  agents  as  can  be  demanded  in  operations  in  priv- 
ate practice. 

While  I  practically  occupy  the  same    standpoint    with 


Digitized  by 


Google 


50  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Feb. 

regard  to  chemico-mechanical  disinfectiou,  I  must  take 
up  the  thread  where  I  dropped  it  last  year,  as  far  as 
thermic  disinfection  is  concerned.  It  is  quite  natural 
that  surgeons  who  occupy  them«elve8  with  operations  in 
private  practice,  not  only  are  interested  in  portable 
sterilizers,  'but  also  prefer  such  as  are  constructed  for 
combined  boiling  in  water  and  its  steam.  Inventive  gen- 
iuses have  also  from  time  to  time,  at  short  intervals,  en- 
deavored to  satisfy  this  popular  demand,  but  they  have 
all,  as  far  as  I  know,  up  to  the  present  committed  the 
error  of  constructing  their  apparatus  for  under-steam, 
which  streams  through  the  sterilizing  chamber  from  be- 
low upwards;  that  i.s,  a  stream,  which  neither  expels  the 
air,  nor  penetrates  the  articles  to  perfection,  and  which 
consequently  results  in  deficient  condensation,  besides 
leaving  the  articles  moist.  All  sterilizers  for  streaming 
steam  must  necessarily  be  constructed  for  over-steam; 
the  reasons  being  fully  given  in  my  article  previously 
referred  to.  Personally  I  am  not  particularly  in  favor 
of  combination  sterilizers  even  when  scientifically  con- 
structed, chiefly  because  boiling  and  steaming  are  differ- 
ent processes  requiring  an  unequal  time,  steaming  at 
least  three  times  as  long  as  boiling,  not  to  speak  of  the 
time  required  to  dry  the  dressings  after  sterilization. 
This  entails  the  practical  disadvantage,  that  instruments, 
for  which  boiling  in  our  method  of  choice,  suffer  unneces- 
sarily in  the  prolonged  boiling,  but,  as  this  can  be 
avoided,  as  I  will  explain  shortly,  I  have  in  deference  to 
the  apparent  popular  demand  revived  the  idea  of  a  com- 
bination apparatus,  which  I  described  in  the  Medical 
Record  a  couple  of  years  ago,  aud  it  is  my  improvement 
upon  that  apparatus  which  I  take  the  liberty  to  den^on- 
strate  upon  this  occasion. 

My  combination  portable  sterilizer  consists,  as  you  see, 
of  four  parts:  1,  the  boiling  plan;  2,  the  hood;  3,  the  in- 
strument tray,  and  4,  the  steam  chamber. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  51 

The  boiling  pan  is  made  oval  for  the  sake  of  the  instru- 
ments; convenient  dimensions  being  four  to  five  inches 
high,  eight  inches  wide  and  sixteen  inches  long.  Around 
the  upper  border  on  its  outside  is  constructed  a  groove 
half  an  inch  deep.  The  center  of  the  bottom  is  perfor- 
ated by  a  small  opening,  into  which  is  fastened  a  tube, 
which  extends  to  the  level  of  the  upper  border  of  the  pan; 


under  the  opening  at  the  bottom  is  placed  the  iron  plate, 
familiar  from  my  other  sterilizers. 

The  hood,  which  fits  closely  within  the  outer  lip  of  the 
groove  of  the  boiling  pan  described  above,  and  whose 
height  is  adjusted  to  that  of  the  steam  chamber,  above 
which  it  extends  half  an  inch,  has  a  sloping  roof,  whose 
extreme  top  is  perforated  and  fitted  with  a  short  tube  or 
chimney.  The  hood  is  supplied  with  handles,  and  can 
be  fastened  to  the  boiling  pan  by  moans  of  two  hooks. 


The  instrument  tray  is  made  to  fit  accurately  within 
the  boiling  pan,  the  corners  are  cut  off"  to  allow  for  the 
legs  of  the  steam  chamber,  the  bottom  is  of  galvanized 
wire  and  the  frame  is  provided  with  two  handles. 

The  steam  chamber  is  of  the  same  form  and  dimensions 
as  the  boiling  pan;  the  chamber  extends  downward  in  h 


Digitized  by 


Google 


52  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Feb. 

sloping  bottom,  whose  lowest,  perforated  point  is  on  a 
level  with  the  upper  border  of  the  pan;  into  this  opening 
is  fastened  a  tube,  which  fits  accurately  outside  that 
described  in  the  boiHng  pan  and  which  is  of  the  same 
length;  at  the  juncture  of  the  steam  chamber  and  its  slop- 
ing bottom  is  placed  a  diaphragm  of  galvanized  iron;  be- 
tween this  and  the  opening  beneath  is  a  small  square  tin 
plate;  the  chamber  rests  upon  four  legs,  is  provided  with 


handles  and  a  sloping  cover,  perforated  at  the  top  under- 
neath a  handle. 

Directions  for  use, — The  boiling  pan  is  filled  with  a 
sufficient  quantity  of  water,  care  being  taken  to  fill  the 
groove  at  the  same  time;  the  hood  is  adjusted,  and  the 
whole  placed  over  any  good  fire.  While  the  water  is 
heating,  the  instruments  are  arranged  on  the  tray,  and 
the  dressing,  etc.,  (previously  washed)  in  the  steam  cham- 
ber;   needles,    drainage    tubes,    ligating    and    suturing 


materials  are  put  separately  in  a  small  metal  box  (sterile 
catgut  is  brought  along  in  hermetically  sealed  envelopes). 
When  the  water  boils,  the  hood  is  removed,  the  steam 
chamber  put  in,  whereupon  the  hood  is  replaced  with  a 
cork  in  the  upper  tube.  The  steam  will  now  ascend  be- 
tween the  hood  and  the  steam  chamber  to  the  top;  the 
cork  at  the  top   and  the  water  in    the   groove  and  in  the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  63 

pan  acting  as  locks,  the  steam  is  forced  to  work  its  way 
through  the  opening  in  the  cover  of  the  steam  chamber 
into  this^  through  the  articles  contained,  and  out  through 
the  tube  in  the  boiling  pan.  In  the  course  of  a  quarter 
of  an  hour  the  sterilization  is  conipleted;  the  hood  is  re- 
moved, also  the  steam  chamber;  the  instument  tray  is 
now  put  in,  the  steam  chamber  is  replaced,  the  hood  like- 
wise, but  without  its  cork.  For  the  preservation  of  the  in- 
struments a  little  soda  or  soap  has  been  added  (lysol 
serves  the  same  purpose.)  In  the  course  of  five  minutes 
the  instruments  are  surgically  sterile;  during  this  time 
the  steam  will  escape  continuously  through  the  open  tube 


of  the  hood,  both  that  delivered  by  the  water  and  that 
contained  in  the  steam  chamber;  simultaneously  a  draught 
of  hot  air  will  enter  the  chamber  from  below,  and  when 
this  is  removed,  its  contents  are  not  only  sterilized,  but 
also  dry.  A  combined  sterilizer  of  the  dimensions  above 
mentioned  can,  without  difSculty,  be  transported  in  a 
suitable  wooden  case,  and  as  the  preparation  and  sterili- 
zation of  the  necessaries  is  an  easy  matter,  there  is  no 
possible  excuse  for  resorting  to  mercantile  antiseptic 
goods  in  operations  in  private  practice.  The  surgeon 
who  relies  indiscriminately  upon  antiseptic  wares,  which 
he  buys,  is  a  dangerous  man! 

Articles  adapted  to  sterilization  by    steam  can    safely 


Digitized  by 


Google 


64  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Feb. 

be  transported  to  the  place  of  operation  in  various  ways, 
Bloch's  method  in  doable  filtering  paper  being  prefer- 
able; it  is,  however:  always  safer  to  sterilize  on  the  spot, 
and,  as  only  half  an  hour  is  required  for  the  whole  pro- 
cedure, it  is  also  practicable.  la  urgent  emergency  cases 
a  surgeon  ought  never  to  be  taken  by  surprise,  and  as 
time  is  valuable  in  such  cases,  he  should  always  have  on 
hand  a  supply  of  sterilized  articles. 

One  more  remark  with  regard  to  operations  in  private 
practice.  I  will  most  emphatically  impress  upon  all  sur- 
geons, with  the  possible  exception  of  those  few  who  are 
masters  both  in  surgical  technique  and  in  asepsis,  to  con- 
sider every  wound  at  the  end  of  an  operation  of  some 
duration  slightly  infected,  and  therefore  to  combine 
their  asepsis  with  a  judical  antisepsis.  Thus  I  am  in  the 
habit  of  repeatedly  dipping  my  hands  during  the  opera- 
tion in  a  weak,  sterile  solution  of  lysol  (|  per  cent  or 
even  less).  The  small  amount  of  antiseptic  which  in  this 
way  is  carried  into  the  wound,  I  have  yet  failed  to  find 
objectionable,  and  I  use  lysol  because  it  is  at  hand,  and 
because  it  is  alkaline  like  the  fluids  of  the  tissues.  And 
when  the  operation  is  completed,  I  apply  next  to  the 
wound  an  antiseptic  dressing,  not  exactly  the  customary 
iodoform  gauze,  because  its  preparation  requires  extra- 
ordinary facilities,  but  antiseptic,  and  at  the  same  time 
aseptic,  hydrophile  ointments.  Anhydrous  lanolin  ab- 
sorbs moisture  greedily;  it  is  first  sterilized,  mixed  while 
cooling  with  2  per  cent  lysol  and  run  into  tubes.  A  gen- 
erous quantity  is  expressed  over  the  wound,  and  over 
this  the  ordinary  dressing  is  applied.  Changing  this 
dressing  is  unattended  by  the  disturbance  of  the  wound 
or  the. patient's  comfort,  as  it  does  not  stick  like  a  dry 
dressing. 

In  the  foregoing  it  has  been  my  aim  to  dwell  upon  the 
most  essential  points  in  surgical  sterilization  and  sterili- 
zers in  private  practice,  points  which  I  could  stamp  with 
some  degree  of  originality. — Journal  Am.  Med.  Assoc. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18&7]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  B5 

The  Preparation  of  Diphtheria  Antitoxic  Serum. 

By  H.  K.  MULFORD,  Ph.  G., 

PHII^DEI^PHIA,   PA. 

The  discovery  of  diphtheria  antitoxin  was  made  by 
Behring  as  result  of  his  primary  and  original  investiga- 
tion in  connection  with  Kitasato  upon  tetanus  antitoxin. 

The  method  of  preparation  first  proposed  was  the  in* 
jection  into  suitable  animals  of  cultures  of  the  diphtheria 
bacilli  in  which  the  bacilli  had  been  killed  by  heat. 
When  the  animal  could  withstand  such  injection,  mani- 
festing only  a  slight  irritation  or  oedema  at  site  of  injec- 
tion, or  showing  but  feeble  temperature  reaction,  highly 
attenuated  living  cultures  were  introduced  in  increasing 
amounts^  a  sufficient  immunization  or  resistance  being 
given  by  the  primary  injections  to  prevent  fatal  termi- 
nation. The  injection  of  living  cultures,  however,  is 
greatly  to  be  discouraged,  since  such  injection  and  those 
of  attenuated  cultures  containing  dead  bacilli  are  accom- 
panied by  great  destruction  of  cellular  tissue  of  the  ani- 
mal which  is  to  furnish  the  antitoxin,  its  physical  strength 
being  lessened  by  such  destructive  processes. 

The  best  method  is  as  follows:  As  virulent  a  culture  as 
possible  of  the  bacillus  diphtheric^  is  obtained.  It  is 
grown  upon  Loeffler's  solidified  blood  serum  mixture  and 
placed  in  an  incubator  at  a  temperature  of  45  degrees  C. 

After  a  period  of  24  hours  the  cultures  are  developed. 
From  this  a  single  culture  or  colony  of  the  bacilli  is  trans- 
ferred into  small  flasks  of  a  2  per  cent  peptone  bouillon 
rendered  decisively  alkaline  to  litmus.  These  small  flasks 
are  placed  in  an  incubator  which  is  kept  at  a  constant 
temperature  of  about  37  degrees  C.  for  24  to  48  hourS; 
and  afterward  the  contents  are  transferred  with  peptone 
bouillon  into  rounded  flat  flasks  with  a  long  neck  (so  that 
sterilized  cotton  may  be  pushed  well  into  the  tubulature) 
of  a  capacity  of  500  ccm.     These  large  flasks  are  placed 


Digitized  by 


Google 


66  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Feb. 

in  the  incubator  and  kept  at  a  constant  temperature  of 
37  degrees  C.  until  the  bacilli  have  become  very  numer- 
ous, and  have  secreted  enormous  amounts  of  active  and 
powerful  toxin  in  the  bouillon. 

When  this  has  taken  place  a  microscopical  examination 
is  made  to  see  that  bacilli  other  than  the  Klebs-Loeffler 
are  not  present,  and  the  diphtheria  toxin  thus  contami- 
nated. If  uncontaminated  1  per  cent  of  trikresol  is  added 
to  prevent  contamination  and  to  destroy  the  bacillus 
diphtherias.  The  bouillon,  or,  as  we  now  term  it,  diphthe- 
ria toxin,  is  filtered  through  a  modified  Chamberland 
filter  to  separate  from  it  the  dead  bodies  of  the  diphthe- 
ria bacilli.  No  bacilli  are  therefore  injected  into  the 
animals  to  be  immunized,  and  they  are  not  given  diphthe- 
ria, but  only  the  toxin  secreted  by  the  bacilli. 

DETERMINING  THE  TOXICITY  OF  THE  TOXIN. 

The  toxicity  of  the  toxin  is  determined  by  its  injection 
into  guinea  pigs.  To  be  of  the  desired  strength,  0.01  to 
0.1  ccm.  nhould  produce  death  of  the  control  animal  in 
from  24  to  36  hours. 

For  the  preparation  of  diphtheria  antitoxin  any  ani- 
mal may  be  selected,  but  horses  are  preferred,  inasmuch 
as  they  are  more  easily  operated  upon,  and  because  they 
furnish  excellent  serum  in  liberal  amounts.  Our  experi- 
ence as  to  the  type  of  horses  selected,  particularly  in  the 
earlier  observations,  have  been  valuable,  the  majority 
being  of  unusually  high  quality,  a  number  showing  trace 
of  fine  breeding;  such  horses,  however,  are  not  suited  for 
immunization.  The  finely  bred  horse  being  sensitive, 
frets  at  his  inactivity  (for  no  work  is  performed  by  the 
animal  while  being  immunized,  only  a  sufficient  amount 
of  exercise  being  given  to  maintain  good  health),  neither 
does  he  take  kindly  to  the  injection  of  the  toxin  or  the 
subsequent  bleeding  operations.  The  preference  is  given 
to  large,  compactly  built  animals,  of  dark  color,  16  to  18 


Digitized  by 


Google 


I897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  57 

bands  high,  from  1,400  to  1,600  pounds  weight,  of  quiet 
disposition,  and  possessing  good  healtli. 

TESTING  FOR  GLANDERS  AND  TUBERCULOSIS. 

Before  the  injecting  with  toxin,  the  malleine  test  for 
glanders  and  the  tuberculin  test  for  tuberculosis  is  ap- 
plied, the  results  of  such  being  clearly  shown  by  the  tem- 
perature. Animals  responding  to  either  of  these  tests 
must  be  discarded. 

The  primary  injection  of  the  toxin  is  1  ccm.  At  equal 
periods  of  from  six  to  eight  days,  constantly  increasing 
amounts  of  the  toxin  are  administered  until  in  about  ten 
weeks  to  three  months  as  great  quantities  as  300  ccm.  of 
this  powerful  toxin  may  be  borne  with  tolerance. 

When  the  injection  of  these  larger  amounts  is  accom- 
panied with  but  little  elevation  of  temperature,  and  but 
a  slight  cedema  is  manifested  at  site  of  injection,  a  trial 
bleeding  is  made,  20  ccm.  of  blood  being  taken  from  the 
jugular.  If  the  tests  for  antitoxic  value,  as  described 
later  under  the  testing  of  antitoxin,  are  favorable,  the 
horse  is  bled,  the  blood  being  collected  in  sterile  bottles, 
and  placed  in  a  refrigerating  room  for  a  s\iflScient  time 
(about  24  hours)  until  the  fibrin  coagulates,  allowing  the 
serum  which  contains  the  antitoxin  to  remain  clear.  This 
serum  is  drawn  off  by  pipettes  and  preserved  by  the  ad- 
dition of  0.5  per  cent  trikresol. 

The  most  important  step  now  awaits  the  operator,  the 
determination  of  the  exact  strength  possessed  by  the 
antitoxin  as  expressed  in  immunizing  units. 

THE  IMMUNIZING  UNIT. 

Immunizing  units  represent  the  strength  of  antitoxic 
serum  that  is  required  to  save  a  guinea  pig  from  ten 
times  the  absolute  minimum  fatal  dose  of  the  diphtheria 
toxin,  and  the  strength  of  the  antitoxin  is  designated  by 
the  number  of  immunizing  units  per  ccm.  of   the  serum. 

For  this  purpose  the  minimum  fatal  dose  of  the  toxin  is 


Digitized  by 


Google 


68  THB  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Feb. 

accurately  determined  by  injections  of  various  amounts 
of  toxin  into  a  number  of  guinea  pigs,  the  smallest 
amount  of  toxin  that  invariably  causes  the  death  of  the 
control  animal  in  a  reasonable,  time  being  regarded  as  the 
minimum  fatal  dose.  It  is  usually  calculated  so  much 
per  100  gm.  body  weight. 

Every  lot  of  antitoxin  is  carefully  tested,  and  if  the  con- 
trol animal  shows  evidences  of  csdema  at  site  of  injection, 
or  diminution  in  body  weight,  the  antitoxin   is  rejected. 

A  page  from  the  laboratory  minutes  shows  this  deter- 
mination of  strength.  Having  found  the  minimum  fatal 
dose  here  used  to  be  0.005  per  gram  weight  of  guinea  pig, 
the  control  animals  are  given  ten  times  this^  absolutely 
fatal  dose  of  diphtheria  toxin  or  poison,  and  if  testing 
for  100  units  per  ccm.,  as  appears  from  experiment  on 
animal  No.  1,080,  1-1000  ccm.  antitoxin  obtained  from 
horse  No.  109  H  is  given;  if  testing  for  250  units  per 
ccm.,  1-2500  ccm.  of  antitoxin  is  given;  if  for  500  units, 
1-5000  ccm.  of  antitoxin  would  be  administered. 

Tests  for  500  units  are  shown  on  control  animal  1,070 
and  for  350  units  on  control  animal  1,076. 

While  this  paper  does  not  deal  with  the  therapeutic 
value  of  diphtheria  antitoxin,  the  absolute  scientific  value 
and  correctness  of  these  tests  may  be  appreciated  by 
these  observations,  and  we  prove  the  therapeutic  appli- 
cation of  the  antitoxin  by  its  neutralizing  or  protective 
value  upon  the  control  animals  receiving  ten  times  the 
amount  of  toxin  that  always  kills.  Unfortunately,  we 
cannot  thus  arrive  at  the  dose  for  therapeutic  application 
since  the  human  subject  is  much  more  susceptible  to  the 
poison,  and  we  have  no  possible  means  of  determining 
the  amount  of  toxin  secreted  by  the  diphtheria  bacilli  in 
the  patient  suffering  with  diphtheria. 

Appreciating,  however,  that  the  only  effect  of  diphthc- 
ria  antitoxin  is  in  neutralizing  the  toxins  of  diphtheria, 
we  know  how  necessary  it  is  to  make  application  of  this 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  69 

"healing  serum"  before  the  nerve  centers  become  par- 
alyzed, the  heart  and  kidneys  become  diseased  and  the 
entire  system  invaded  by  the  absorption  of  the  fatal  toxin. 

THE  PRESERVATION  OF  ANTITOXIN. 

Diphtheria  antitoxin  is  a  most  delicate  substance,  and 
its  preparation  cap  only  be  safely  carried  on  in  thoroughly 
equipped  institutions  where  men  of  undoubted  integrity 
of  purpose  and' ability  are  in  supervision. 

While  antitoxin  is  a  delicate  substance,  yet,  when  a 
proper  preservative  in  a  suflScient  amount  is  used,  and  it 
is  hermetically  sealed  in  sterile  vials,  it  will  preserve  its 
strength  and  antitoxic  value  for  at  least  six  months;  in- 
deed, repeated  experiments  prove  it  retains  its  activity 
for  a  much  longer  period. 

Chloroform,  camphor,  sodium  salicylate,  carbolic  acid, 
and  formaldehyde  have  been  employed,  but  the  prefer- 
ence is  greatly  in  favor  of  trikresol  and  formaldehyde. 
Camphor  seems  to  be  particularly  dangerous,  since  it 
possesses  but  a  feeble  preservative  action,  and  its  strong 
odor  will  prevent  the  detection  of  putrefactive  processes 
should  they  be  established;  chloroform  and  sodium 
salicylate  are  unsuited  on  account  of  their  active  the- 
rapeutic effect. 

Trikresol  in  a  strength  of  but  0.5  percent  protects  the 
serum  absolutely;  in  fact,  pathogenic  bacteria  do  not 
develop  with  this  percentage  of  trikresol;  it  is  not  a  poi- 
son, as  is  carbolid  acid,  nor  is  it  an  irritant  to  the 
urethral  tract.  A  disadvantage  is  that  it  produces  a  semi- 
fluorescent  appearance  in  the  serum,  but  the  absence  of 
cloudiness  is  shown  by  permitting  the  light  to  enter 
squarely  through  the  vials  containing  the  finished  product. 

STRENGTH  OF   SERUM. 

Antitoxin  is  usually  supplied  in  bottles  containg  vary- 
ing quantities  of  serum,  but  of  a  certain  number  of  anti- 
toxic immunizing  units.     This  is  apt  to  lead  to  confusion, 


Digitized  by 


Google 


60  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Feb. 

and  we  would  strongly  recommeud  that  a  fixed  standard 
of  a  definite  number  of  immunizing  units  be  secured  in 
each  com.  of  serum.  While  this  involves  extra  labor,  it 
prevents  confusion  on  the  part  of  the  physician,  and  the 
end  is  well  worthy  of  the  increased  labor.  If  serum  is 
produced  of  a  strength  of  126  units  per  ccm.,  it  may  be 
mixed  with  an  equal  amount  of  serum  containing  76  units 
per  ccm.;  the  result  is  that  each  ccm.  will  contain  100 
immunizing  units^  and  if  500  units  are  desired  to  be  ad- 
ministered, 6  ccm.  will  be  understood  as  the  requisite 
amount  to  be  injected,  etc. 

HIGH  POTENCY  SERUM. 

It  is  a  matter  of  gratifying  interest  to  Americans  that 
serums  of  the  highest  antitoxic  values  have  been  prepared 
in  our  country.  Serums  are  now  produced  of  which  each 
ccm.  contains  as  much  as  800  units,  and  we  confidently 
believe  that  as  much  as  1,000  antitoxic  units  to  the  ccm. 
will  be  produced  in  the  near  future.  This  overcomes  the 
chief  objection  that  has  been  urged  against  the  serum 
even  by  its  warmest  advocates.  More  prompt  absorp- 
tion will  take  place,  insuring  quicker  results,  besides  the 
attendant  dread  caused  by  the  large  instruments  neces- 
sary for  the  introduction  of  larger  amounts  of  weaker 
serum  will  be  avoided,  a,^  much  as  2,000  units  beii\g  ad- 
ministered in  an  ordinary  two  ccm.  or  30  minim  syringe. 

DRIED  SERUMS. 

Dried  serums  are  much  less  active  than  fluid  or  fresh 
ones.  They  are  prepared  by  addition  of  aluminum  or 
ammonium  sulphate,  with  subsequent  precipitation  of  the 
antitoxin  by  a  1  per  cent  soda  solution  or  by  inpissa- 
tion.  They  have  given  fairly  good  results,  but  cause 
greater  irritation  than  do  the  fluid  serums,  and  not  being 
freely  soluble,  cause  annoyance  in  administration  and 
give  greater  opportunities  for  contamination  in  their  pre- 
paration and  dilution  for  administration. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  61 

HOW  ANTITOXIN  ACTS. 

We  do  not  know  what  action  takes  place  in  the  serum 
of  the  horse  producing  the  antitoxin,  nor  do  we  know 
positively  its  action  upon  the  organism  of  the  control 
animal  or  the  patient  treated  for  diphtheria.  The  fact 
that  the  control  animals  always  recover  under  the  in- 
fluence of  antitoxin,  while  they  always  die  with  but  one 
tenth  the  amount  of  toxin,  and  the  reduction  in  mortal- 
ity of  patients  ill  with  diphtheria  under  the  influence  of 
antitoxin,  are,  however,  self-convincing.  No  reason  can 
exist  for  its  non-employment  on  this  ground,  since  we  do 
not  know  the  nature  of  the  changes  from  pepsin  to  pep- 
tones, albumen  to  albuminoids;  the  action  of  arsenic  in 
ansmia,  mercury  in  syphilis,  and  many  of  our  therapeu- 
tic agents.  They  are  used  empirically  because  favorable 
results  are  secured. 

The  accepted  theory  of  the  action  of  antitoxin  is  that 
it  renders  the  living  cells  of  the  organism  tolerant  to  the 
toxin  liberated  by  the  diphtheria  bacilli  and  by  increas- 
iag  this  tolerance  they  are  able  to  overcome  these  toxins. 

That  antitoxin  exerts  no  chemical  action  on  the  toxin 
can  be  proved  by  mixing  toxins  and  antitoxins,  and  main- 
taining the  mixture  at  a  temperature  of  70  degrees  C. 
for  some  time.  At  this  temperature  the  antitoxin  is  de- 
stroyed, while  the  toxin  remains  but  slightly  disturbed 
in  virulence. 

Bwing  and  Billings  have  made  numerous  experiments 
as  to  the  action  of  antitoxic  serum  upon  the  blood,  and 
agree  that:  **In  cases  of  diphtheria  treated  with  antitoxin 
the  diminution  in  the  number  of  the  red  corpuscles  it 
much  less  marked  than  in  those  cases  treated  without  it. 
The  leucocytes  are  apparently  unaftected  in  number  by 
the  antitoxin,  the  hsBmoglobin  is  also  much  less  affected 
in  the  cases  treated  with  antitoxin,  thus  confirming  the 
statement  as  to  the  red  corpuscles,  while  the  leucocytes 
are  stimulated  in  action,  as  evinced  by  taking  more  vivid 
color  when  staiued  with  indigo  solution." — Am. Druggist, 


Digitized  by 


Google 


62  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Feb. 

EDITOBIAI. 


The  Cochineal  Insect. — The  cochineal  insect  is  a  native 
of  Mexico,  where  it  was  raised  by  the  Mexican  Indians 
long-  before  the  country  was  discovered  by  the  Spaniards. 
It  is  now  cultivated  in  the  West  India  Islands  and  in  some 
of  the  Southern  States  but  only  in  Mexico  does  it  form  an 
article  of  commerce. 

The  insect  is  raised  on  the  cochineal  tree,  or  nopal, 
which  is  a  species  of  cactus.  It  grows  freely  from  cut- 
ting's, and  these  are  fit  to  receive  insects  after  eig-hteen 
months.  Into  a  nest  formed  of  a  thread-like  substance  or 
of  cottony  matter,  a  few  females  are  placed  about  the  first 
of  October.  The  nests  are  fastened  to  the  side  of  the  tree 
facing"  the  rising"  sun,  and  eg"g"s  are  soon  layed.  As  each 
female  produces  upwards  of  a  thousand  eg-g-s,  a  larg-e 
colony  is  formed.  Six  g"enerations  are  produced  in  a  sin- 
gle year. 

On  first  leaving  the  egg  the  insects  are  quite  lively  and 
run  about  over  the  tree.  They  are  so  small  as  to  require 
a  magnifying  glass  to  see  them.  They  are  flat,  ovular, 
without  wings  and  with  short  antennae  or  horns.  The 
females  have  a  small,  short,  almost  conical  beak,  placed  be- 
tween the  first  and  second  pair  of  feet,  which  contains  a 
sucker.  It  is  by  means  of  thissucker  that  they  draw  forth 
the  juices  of  leaves  and  tender  stems. 

When  the  insect  has  reached  the  perfect  state,  it  is  filled 
with  a  multitude  of  minute  eggs.  These  she  lays,  then 
dies,  her  body  becoming  a  covering  for  the  eggs  until  they 
are  hatched.  When  this  is  done  the  insects  work  their 
way  out  and  commence  feeding.  After  a  short  time  their 
skins  harden  and  serve  as  a  cocoon.  From  this  they  pass 
into  a  chrysalis  state,  and  soon  after  appear  as  the  perfect 
insect. 

The  cochineal  is  collected  about  the  first  of  December. 
The  insects  are  removed  from  the  trees  with  a  knife  or 
squirrel  tail.  They  are  then  dried  by  heat  or  in  the  sun. 
Wh^n  the  cochineal  arrives  in  the  market  it  is  in  the  form 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  63 

of  a  small  grain,  concave  on  one  side  and  convex  on  the 
other,  having-  a  little  resemblance  to  the  body  of  an  insect. 
It  colors  purple  naturally  but  when  mixed  with  nitro- 
muriatic  acid  g-ives  a  beautiful  scarlet. 

New  deposits  of  Infusorial  Earth  found  in  Europe. 
— Some  large  deposits  of  kieselguhr  (infusoral  earth)  have 
been  discovered  at  Kissatib,  near  Achalzich,  in  the  Cau- 
casus. It  occurs  in  strata  which  altogether  are  about  40ft. 
in  thickness.  Some  of  the  strata  are  of  a  snowy  white, 
while  others  are  beautifully  striped  in  various  ways  by 
layers  of  oxide  of  iron,  etc.,  thus  resembling  marble. 
Efforts  are  being  made  to  find  a  process  for  hardening  this 
material,  for  its  variety  of  beautiful  designs  combined  with 
extreme  lightness  would  make  it  a  precious  stone  for 
architectural  purposes.  White  kieselguhr  is  used  for  a 
variety  of  purposes,  as  in  the  manufacture  of  dynamite, 
colours  (ultramarine),  matches,  for  isolating  purposes,  etc. 
The  Kissatib,  kieselguhr  is  remarkable  for  its  purify  (3 
percent  of  sand)  and  whiteness. 


nOBOSGOPICAL  APPARATUS. 

The  Microscope  in  Pharmacy. — The  pharmacist  of  to- 
day finds  considerable  use  for  the  microscope;  the  phar- 
macist of  to-morrow  will  find  it  an  indispensable  accessory 
in  bis  business.  Already  a  limited  knowledge  of  the  use 
of  the  instrument  is  required  in  the  examination  room, 
and  as  time  passes  the  requirements  in  this  direction  are 
likely  to  be  greatly  extended.  Accordingly,  it  seems  de- 
sirable to  point  out  that  the  microscopical  examination  of 
substances  is  simply  an  essential  step  in  the  complete  vis- 
ual examination  of  those  substances.  Everyone  realises 
that  the  nearer,  within  certain  limits,  anipbject  is  brought 
to  the  normal  eye,  the  larger  it  appears  and  the  more  dis- 
tinctly its  details  are  apparent.  When  brought  within  a 
distance  of  two  or  three  inches,  however,  the  image  be- 
comes blurred  and  indistinct,  whilst  an  object  held  close 
to  the  eye  cannot  be  s^en  atall,  and  simply  obstructs  light. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


64  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Feb. 

Now  the  use  of  a  hand  lens  enables  one  to  bring*  an  object 
under  examination  much  closer  to  the  eye  than  is  normally 
possible,  for  the  outer  surface  of  the  lens  represents  that 
of  the  eye  for  the  time  being-.  As  a  result  the  object  ap- 
pears much  larger,  and  more  structural  detail  is  revealed 
than  when  the  object  is  viewed  by  the  unassisted  eye. 
Similarly,  the  compound  microscope  still  further  lessens 
the  distance  between  the  object  and  the  eye,  the  surface 
of  which  is  now  represented  by  the  front  of  the  objective, 
and  to  speak  of  the  imag-e  of  an  object  as  being  enormously 
magnified  under  the  microscope  is  simply  another  way  of 
expressing  the  fact  that  the  object  has  virtually  been 
brought  into  such  close  proximity  to  the  organ  of  sight  as 
is  normally  impossible.  Examination  of  an  object  by  the 
aid  of  the  microscope,  therefore,  must  be  regarded  as  a  mere 
extension  of  the  limits  within  which  the  normal  human  eye 
is  capable  of  clearly  distinguishing  the  detailsof  objects.  As 
spectacles  help  the  partially  blind  to  see,  so  the  microscope 
enables  those  with  perfect  eyes  to  see  more  than  is  possi-  ; 
ble  without  such  aid,  and  the  natural  conclusion  is  that  j 
pharmacists  and  others  whose  skill  is  partly  dependent 
upon  the  accurate  impressions  they  form  of  the  appearance 
of  objects,  should  be  adepts  in  the  use  of  an  instrument 
that  can  so  increase  their  natural  powers. — Pharmaceuti- 
cal Journal. 

nCBOSGOPICAL  MANIPULATION- 


Preservation  of  Microscopic  Specimens. — Dr.  Jores  de- 
scribes a  method,  which  he  has  tested  for  a  year  and  a 
half  of  preserving  organs  and  tissues  so  that  they  retain 
the  color  they  had  when  fresh.  He  finds  that  five  to  ten 
parts  of  a  fifty  per  cent  solution  of  formalin  alone  causes 
the  organs  to  assume  a  tint  which  varies  considerably  from 
the  natural  color.  But  instead  of  using  water  to  dilute  the 
common  formalin  solution,  he  uses  one  part  common  salt, 
two  parts  of  Magnesium  sulphate,  two  parts  sodium  sul- 
phate in  one  hundred  parts  of  water.  This  preserves  the 
color  of  the  blood. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  65 

Further,  material  preserved  in  such  a  solution  is  better 
adapted  for  subsequent  microscopic  examination,  since 
the  protoplasm  of  the  cell  is  less  altered  and  the  nucleus 
stained  better  and  deeply. 

The  method  he  adopts  is  as  follows: — The  material  must 
not  be  too  long  washed  in  water,  and  should  be  left  in  the 
formalin  for  a  period  depending-  on  size  and  thickness.  A 
kidney  or  spleen  requires  two  days'  immersion  and  the  so- 
lution should  be  changed  until  it  no  longer  gives  a  dirty 
brownish  red  color.  Care  must  be  taken  to  bring  all  por- 
tions of  the  object  into  contact  with  the  solution,  and  the 
object  must  be  given  the  color  it  is  to  retain  permanently, 
since  the  formalin  solution  causes  it  to  assume  a  consist- 
ency such  that  its  shape  cannot  afterwards  be  modified. 
In  the  formalin  solution  the  organs  change  color  and  be- 
come of  a  dirty  bluish  grey.  On  placing  them  in  ninety- 
five  per  cent  alcohol  the  normal  color  returns.  Before 
permanently  placing  the  organ  in  alcohol  it  must  be  washed 
in  alcohol  until  the  latter  no  longer  becomes  cloudy.  The 
material  must  not  be  washed  with  water;  it  is  left  in  alco- 
hol until  the  normal  color  returns;  if  left  longer  the  alco- 
hol removes  the  color.  For-a  kidney  or  spleen,  twenty-four 
hours  will  be  sufficient.  The  permanent  preserving  fluid 
is  equal  parts  glycerine  and  water;  the  material  floats  at 
first  but  sinks  later ;  the  color  is  now  at  its  best,  after  a 
little  while  the  fluid  becomes  yellowish  and  wants  renewal. 
Tissues  so  preserved  have  not  undergone  the  slightest 
alteration  in  nine  months. 

The  method  is  not  applicable  to  other  color  than  blood. — 
Int.  Med.  Magazine. 

Infiltrating  Dental  and  Osseous  Tissues  for  Microscop- 
ical Work. — At  a  recent  meeting  of  the  Odontological  So- 
ciety of  Great  Britain  Mr.  Charters  White  gave  the  details 
of  the  method  he  adopts  to  demonstrate  the  presence  of 
spaces  in  hard  sections  of  dental  and  osseous  tissues.  The 
section  to  be  treated  must  be  ground  moderately  thin,  to 
about  1-32  in  ,  and  then  immersed  in  absolute  alcohol  for 
five  minutes,  and  subsequently  in  ether  for  a  similar  per- 
iod.   It  is  next  transferred  to  a  thin  solution  of  celloidin 


Digitized  by 


Google 


f>6  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Feb. 

(three  grains  of  celloidin  to  half  an  ounce  of  equal  parts  of 
absolute  alcohol  and  ether).  This  solution  is  colored  red 
by  the  addition  of  fuchsine,  the  stain  being  added  to  the 
alcohol  before  the  celloidin  is  dissolved.  The  specimen  is 
allowed  to  remain  in  the  solution  for  two  or  three  days, 
after  which  it  is  removed  and  placed  on  paper  to  dry. 
The  section  is  then  g-round  to  the  desired  tenuity  and 
mounted  on  balsam.  The  advantag'es  of  the  process  are 
(1)  the  cavernous  and  tubular  structures  in  dentine  and 
bone  are  filled  with  a  colored  medium,  which  prevents 
the  balsam  from  running-  into  such  spaces  and  so  obliterat- 
ing them  ;  and  (2)  the  section  is  rendered  less  brittle  and 
can,  therefore,  be  easily  g-round  down  without  much  fear 
of  fracture. — English  Mechanic. 


BIOLOOIGAL  NOTES. 


An  international  botanical  garden  is  to  be  established  at 
Palermo,  under  the  direction  of  Prof.  Borzi,  of  the  Univer- 
sity. It  is  hoped  that  the  favorable  position  of  the  garden 
may  attract  foreign  students. 

It  seems  certain  now  that  the  late  Dr.  Alfred  Nobel  has 
made  a  munificent  bequest  to  science.  According  to  the 
terms  of  his  will,  so  it  is  said,  a  fund  is  to  be  formed  from 
all  his  realisable  property,  the  yearly  interest  from  which 
is  to  be  divided  into  five  equal  portions,  the  first  of  which 
is  to  be  allotted  as  a  prize  for  the  most  important  discov- 
ery in  the  domain  of  physics;  the  second  for  the  principal 
chemical  discovery  or  improvement;  the  third  for  the 
chief  discovery  in  physiology  or  medicine;  the  fourth  for 
the  most  distinguished  literary  contribution  in  the 
same  field;  and  the  fifth  is  to  be  allotted  to  whomsoever 
may  have  achieved  the  most  or  done  the  best  to  promote 
the  cause  of  peace.  All  these  prizes  are  open  to  the  world. 
After  deducting  a  few  bequests  to  individuals,  it  is  ex- 
pected that  the  fund  thus  devised  to  the  cause  of  progress 
will  amount  to  the  sum  of  nearly  two  millions  sterling. — 
English  Mechanic. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1867]  MICHOSCOPICAL  JOtJltNAL.  67 

Mr.  George  J.  Burch,  of  Oxford,  England,  has  been  ex- 
perimenting upon  plants  with  Rontgen  photogmphy.  He 
finds  that  flower  buds  and  seed  vessels  are  especially  fav- 
orable objects.  He  believes  that  if  the  photograph  could 
be  made  upon  a  magnified  scale  the  outline  of  every  cell 
would  be  seen.  The  capsules  of  hyacinth  and  the  flower 
buds  of  fuschia  are  reproduced  in  his  account  published 
in  Gardeners'  Chronicle  HI. 

Numbers  11  and  12  of  Lloyd's  Photogravures  of  Ameri- 
can Fungi  have  recently  been  distributed.  They  repre- 
sent respectively  Lepiota  morgani  Peck  and  Sparassis 
herbstii  Peck,  two  interesting  species.  The  first  was 
photographed  as  it  grew  in  the  field,  and  makes  an  unus- 
ually attractive  and  characteristic  picture. 


BACTESIOLOGT. 


Bacteriosis  of  Carnations. — Dr.  J.  C.  Arthur  and  Prof. 
H.  L.  BoUey  give  an  excellent  account  of  one  of  the  most 
serious  difficulties  the  carnation  grower  has  to  encounter, 
namely,  Bacteriosis  which  they  ascribe  to  a  new  organism. 
Bacterium  dianthi.  The  organism  responsible  for  this 
disease  is  oval  or  elliptical  in  outline  and  does  not  occur  in 
chains.  It  is  motile  and  produces  zoogloea.  In  gelatin  it 
produces  at  first  a  smooth  even  growth  along  the  track  of 
the  needle,  having  a  pale  cream  color,  later  it  assumes  a 
marked  appearance  and  the  color  is  bright  orange,  being 
much  deeper  in  acid  cultures.  It  slowly  liquefies  gelatin. 
The  zoogloea  are  formed  as  follows:  **Certain  individuals, 
without  ceasing  active  multiplication,  become  non-motile, 
and  at  once  begin  to  excrete  a  gelatinous  envelope.  This 
envelope  offers  considerable  resistance  to  longitudinal  ex- 
tension, and  the  new  cells  as  they  form  slip  past  one 
another,  accumulating  in  an  elongated  mass,  which  in- 
creases faster  in  thickness  than  in  length."  If  the  nutrient 
material  is  not  renewed,  the  zoogloea  disintegrate  in  ten  to 
fifteen  days  by  liquefaction  of  the  gelatinous  envelope;  this 
permits  the  bacteria  to  fall  to  the  bottom  of  the  fluid.  They 
multiply  very  rapidly,  a  well  marked  constriction  occurred 


Digitized  by 


Google 


68  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Feb. 

within  seven  minutes  and  in  twenty  minutes  more  there 
were  two  full  grown  bacteria  formed  from  each  original 
cell,  althoug-h  still  attached  to  each  other.  At  this  rate  of 
multiplication  280,000,000,000  would  be  formed  in  twenty 
four  hours.  They  would  occupy  fully  one  inch  of  cubic 
space.  This  organism  is  an  aerobe  and  makes  compara- 
tively rapid  growth  at  8-10  degrees  C.  .  The  rate  of  divi- 
sion increases  up, to  34-36  degrees  C,  but  above  this  point 
It  is  less  rapid.  Some  growth  was  obtained  at  45  degrees  C. 
As  to  its  parasitic  nature,  in  its  early  stages  the  individual 
bacteria  are  imbedded  in  protoplasm,  the  chlorophyll 
grains  become  disorganized,  the  protoplasmic  utricle  is 
broken  up  and  the  contents  of  cell  are  disintegrated.  This 
germ  has  the  power  of  eroding  the  cell-wall  and  thus 
dissolves  for  itself  a  passage  way,  which  may  be  brought 
about  by  an  enzym  and  it  is  probable  that  the  perforation  in 
the  cell-wall  is  quickly  healed  by  growth  and  swelling  of 
the  same.  They  enter  the  host  by  means  of  stomata  or 
accidental  punctures.  It  readily  attacks  young  and  partly 
grown  leaves.  In  addition  to  an  account  of  the  distribu- 
tion of  the  disease  and  the  varieties  affected  they  treat  the 
economic  aspect.  The  paper  is  accompanied  by  two  ex- 
cellent colored  plates  and  six  other  plates  which  show  the 
character  of  the  organisms.  (Purdue  University,  Agrl. 
Exp.  Sta.  BuU.,  No.  59,  Vol.  Vn,  March,  1896.) 

Microbes  that  Make  Glucose. — Everyone  knows  the 
service-berry,  that  decorative  shrub  that  retains  its  bright 
red  berrieseven  in  the  middle  of  winter.  Now  these  berries 
were  the  subject  of  a  sort  of  puzzle  about  half  a  century 
ago.  In  1852  Pelouze,  examining  the  juice  of  service  ber- 
ries that  had  been  left  for  a  long  time  at  the  bottom  of  a 
dish,  discovered  a  perfectly  crystallised  substance,  very 
sugary,  and  having  all  the  properties  of  glucose.  He  saw 
nothing  here  that  was  not  perfectly  natural.  We  find 
sugar  everywhere,  or  almost  everywhere;  there  was 
therefore  nothing  astonishing  in  the  discovery,  and  the 
new  sugar  was  christened  sorbine  or  sorbose »  But  now 
began  the  puzzle.     When,  a  little  later,  other  scientists  de- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18»7]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  69 

sired  to  prepare  some  sorbose  directly,  they  could  not  g^et 
any.  Byschl  and  Delflfs  could  obtain  it  neither  from  the 
fresh  nor  the  fermented  juice.  In  short,  the  fantastic  sor- 
bose, born  by  chance  in  a  laboratory  retort,  refused  abso- 
lutely to  make  its  appearance  again.  We  know  now  why 
this  was;  the  mystery  has  been  brought  to  light  by  a 
chemist  at  the  Museum — M.  Bertrand.  By  crushing  ripe 
service-berries  and  then  exposing  them  to  the  open  air  M. 
Bertrand  obtained  first  alcohol  by  ordinary  fermentation, 
and  soon  a  whitish  layer  covered  the  surface  of  the  liquid ; 
the  alcohol  disappeared  in  its  turn,  the  layer  grew  mouldy, 
but  in  the  remaining  liquid  it  was  proved  that  there  was 
no  trace  of  sorbose.  He  tried  again  and  again,  and  one 
fine  day  on  the  layer  of  which  we  have  spoken  a  fly  alighted, 
a  little  red  vinegar  fly.  Then  all  was  changed.  The  mem- 
brane thickened,  soon  swarmed  with  larvae,  and  in  the 
liquid  below  it  great  quantities  of  sorbose  appeared.  This 
is  what  had  taken  place :  the  membrane  was  made  thick 
and  heavy  by  the  thousands  of  microbes  that  had  been 
brought  by  the  little  red  fly,  microbes  whose  oxidising  in- 
flence  had  rapidly  transformed  the  juice  of  the  service- 
berries  into  sorbose.  The  experiment,  after  that,  could 
be  repeated  at  will.  Thus  recognised  at  length,  the  indus- 
trious microbes,  whose  length  is  less  than  a  thousandth  of 
a  milli-metre  (.025  of  an  inch)  require  no  urging  to  manu- 
facture in  a  few  hours  nearly  a  kilogram  (21b.)  of  the  new 
kind  of  glucose. — Cosmos.   , 

The  experiments  made  with  nitrogen  in  this  country  do 
not  seem  to  be  conclusive  (see  p.  561,  Aug.  7  last).  An 
important  paper  on  the  subject  has  appeared  in  a  German 
bacteriological  journal,  giving  experiments  showing  the 
capability  possessed  by  Bacillus  radiciola  of  growing  on  for- 
eign culture  media.  It  will  be  remembered  that  Dr.  Nobbe 
isolated  some  twenty  of  these  nitrogen-assimilating  bac- 
teria from  the  root  nodules  of  various  leguminous  plants, 
and  has  endowed  them  with  the  collective  title  of  **Nitra- 
gin."  In  the  present  experiments  bacteria  from  the  luc- 
erne nodules  were  cultivated  in  pure   media  derived  res- 


Digitized  by' 


Google 


^0  T?HE  AMERICAN  MOI^ItLY  [B»eb. 

pectively  from  infusions  of  lucerne  a4id  from  white  mus- 
tard, their  cultivation  being*  carried  on  throug-h  several 
^nerations.  On  the  lucerne  g-elatine  the  bacteria  flour- 
ished abundantly  up  to  the  last;  on  the  mustard  gelatine 
they  gradually  faded  away.  It  was  tried  if  these  lucerne- 
nodule-bacteria  could  be  induced  to  thrive  on  the  mustard 
medium  by  gradual  training-,  and  in  the  course  of  six 
months  that  was  accomplished. — Ekig-lish  Mechanic. 


VEDICAL  KICBOSGOPT. 

Test  for  Typhoid  Fever.— William  Trelease,  Recording 
Secretary  of  the  Academy  sent  to  Science  the  following"  ac-  ' 
count  of  the  meeting  January  4,  1897:  Dr.  Amand  Ravold 
gave  a  microscopic  demonstration  of  Widal's  test  for  typh- 
oid fever,  demonstrating-  that  after  the  disease  has  existed 
for  four  daysor  more  the  blood  of  typhoid  patients,  probably 
because  of  some  contained  anti-toxine,  possesses  the  power 
of  inhibiting  the  motion  of  typhoid  bacilli  from  a  pure  cul- 
ture introduced  into  it  within  a  period  of  one  hour  or  less, 
whereas  in  normal  blood  similar  bacilli  retain  their  power 
of  locomotion  for  an  indefinite  length  of  time.  It  was 
stated  that  typhoid  blood  possesses  this  property  even  af- 
ter having  been  dried  for  a  period  of  four  weeks  or  more, 
so  that  a  few  drops  obtained  from  a  person  suspected  of 
having  the  disease  may  be  sent  to  suitable  places  for  ap- 
plying- the  test,  thus  rendering  comparatively  easy  the 
early  diagnosis  of  a  disease  which  in  its  early  stages  pre- 
sents many  clinical  difficulties. 


PERSONALS. 


We  learn  through  the  newspapers  that  on  December  26, 
the  remains  of  Prof.  Louis  Pasteur,  the  eminent  bacteri- 
ologist, who  died  September  28,  1895,  were  removed  from 
the  Cathedral  of  Norte-Dame  to  the  Institute,  where  they 
were  received  by  a  gathering  of  distinguished  men,  includ- 
ing Premier  Meline,  MM.  Rambaud  and  Brisson  and  sev- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  l^rWROSGOPiCAL  JOURNAfc:  71 

eral  well  known  men  from  Great  Britian.  President  Faure 
and  Gen.  Billot,  the  minister  of  war,  were  represented  at 
the  ceremony.  Speeches  were  made  at  the  crypt  of  the  in^ 
stitute  by  M.  Rambaud,  M.  Bodin,  president  of  the  muni- 
cipal council  of  Paris,  Dr.  Evans,  Dr.  Rice  Duckworth  an4 
others. 

Dr.  John  B.  Hamilton  has  resig^ned  from  the  Marine 
Hospital  service. 

Dr.  Geo.  H.  Rohe,  Secretary  of  the  Rush  Monument 
Committee  reports  October  31,  that  since  the  last  report 
in  April  he  has  received  the  small  sum  of  $159.00  making-  a 
total  of  $3,886.39. 

Dr.  Hugo  de  Vries  has  been  appointed  director  of  the 
botanical  gardens  at  Amsterdam  in  the  place  of  Dr.  Oude- 
mans. 

Dr.  J.  de  Winter,  assistant  in  the  Zoological  garden  at 
Antwerp,  has  been  made  director  of  the  Zoological  gurden 
at  Giseh,  near  Cairo. 

It  is  announced  that  Pfeiflfer  has  found  an  efficacious  and 
reliable  antitoxin  for  typhoid  fever. 

Dr.  W.  M.  L.  Coplin,  of  Philadelphia,  has  been  appointed 
bacteriologist  to  the  Pennsylvania  State  Board  of  Health, 
and  Dr.  Richard  Slee  of  Swiftwater,  Dr.  Nelson  F.  Davis, 
of  Bucknell  University,  and  Dr.  Robert  L.  Pitfield,  of 
Germantown,  assistant  bacteriologists. 

The  widow  of  Baron  Maurice  Hirsch,  of  Vienna,  has 
resolved  to  present  two  millions  of  francs  (^80,000)  to  the 
Pasteur  Institute,  as  a  memorial  of  her  husband. — English 
Mechanic. 


MICBOSCOPKAL  NOTES. 


Mrs.  J.  E.  Reeves,  201  McCallie  Ave.,  Chattanooga, 
Tenn.,  has  35  or  40  dozens  of  **unnamed"  slides  to  sell. 
They  are  the  last  work  of  her  late  husband,  Dr.  J.  E. 
Reaves,     She  has  also  as  manv  or  more  of  '*named''  slides. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


72  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Feb.  . 

A  g-ood  microscope  for  sale  cheap.  Pacific  Medical 
Journal  Office,  603  Sutter  St.,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

Barbados. — The  official  papers  of  Barbados  spell  the 
word  as  above  and  not  as  we  have  heretofore  given  it  in 
the  articles  of  certain  contributors — Barbadoes. 

A  small  crystal  of  Thymol  will  preserve  urinary  sedi- 
ments. 

There  is  now  once  more  a  University  of  Paris.  The  in- 
auguration has  been  celebrated  in  the  new  building  of  the 
Sorbonne. 

The  twelfth  International  Congress  of  Medicine  will  take 
place  from  August  19th  to  26th,  1897,  at  Moscow. 

It  is  reported  that  a  lady  has  presented  the  French  Acad" 
emy  with  800,000  francs,  the  interest  of  which  is  to  go  to 
any  one  who  will  discover  a  cure  for  consumption. 

The  annual  budget  in  Paris  for  the  Assistance  Publique 
amounts  to  the  large  sum  of  $8,000,000;  of  this  the  medical 
and  surgical  personnel  receives  $200,000. 

A  report  comes  from  the  Medico-Surgical  Society  of  Ant- 
werp of  the  discovery  of  an  antitoxin  for  pneumonia  by 
Dr.  Mennes,  of  Louvain.  The  microbe  is  stated  to  be  ex- 
tremely small,  of  a  shape  approaching  an  oval.  At  pres- 
ent successful  experiments  have  been  confined  to  animals. 
— English  Mechanic. 

Ink  for  Writing  on  Glass. — Shellac  20  parts,  alcohol  150 
parts,  borax  35  parts,  water  250  parts.  Water  soluble 
dye,  sufficient  to  color.  Dissolve  the  shellac  in  the  alcohol, 
the  borax  in  the  water  and  pour  the  shellac  solution  slowly 
into  that  of  the  borax.  Then  add  the  coloring  matter,  pre- 
viously dissolved  in  a  little  water. 

Dr.  Sidney  Yankauer  of  New  York  County,  exhibited  at 
the  thirteenth  annual  meeting  of  the  New  York  State  Med- 
ical Association,  1896,  a  simple  and  inexpensive  microtome 
which  he  devised.  With  the  model  shown  he  said  he  had 
cut  sections  in  celloidin  a  thousandth  of  an  inch  thick,and  in 
paraffin  sections  only  one  five-thousandth  of  an  inch  thick 


Digitized  by 


Google 


I 


MICROSCOPES  DUTY  FREE. 

Colleges  and  Educational  Institutions  in  the  U.  S.  are  entitled  to  im- 
port microscopes  and  Scientific  Instruments,  duty  free,  and  can  there- 
fore have  such  goods  shipped  to  them  at  London  prices,  by  ordering 
direct  from  us. 

Dr.  Henri  Van  Heurck's 
Microscope 

FOR  HIGH  POWER  WORK  AND 
PHOTO-MICROGRAPHY 

As  made  by  W.  Watson  and  Sons  to  the 
Specification  of  Dr.  Henri  Van  Heurck 
of  Antwerp  and  used  by  leading  Photo- 
micrographersin  theU.  S.,  and  through- 
out the  world. 

Fitted  with  fine  uc^justnient  of  utmoet  seDBltiyeneas 
and  precisioD,  not  liable  tu  derangement  by  wear. 

Has  rackwork  Draw-tube  to  correct  Objectives  for 
thickness  of  cover  p;Iiufi«. 

Can  be  nsed  with  either  Continental  or  English 
Objectives,  the  body  length  being  variable  fh)in  142 
to3()0iuillimeteni. 

Hua  the  fine  adjustment  to  sub-stage. 

The  Instrument  Is  specially  designed  to  afford  the 
greatest  possible  couvenieuce  fur  manipulation. 

Pbices: — As  fiKur«<l,  ^'ith  ont«  eye-piece,  (bat  with- 
out centering  scrows  or  divisiona  to  stage)         992  60 
^^^^^^^^^^__^^^^^^^_^        Also  made%vith  Continental  form  of  foot  90  00 

Watson  &  Sons'  Edinburgh  Student's  Microscope. 

This  well  known  and  popular  Instrument 
can  now  be  h^d  mounted  on  either  the  Tei- 
POD  or  Continental  horse-shoe  form  of  foot. 
It  is  suitable  for  investigations  with  the  high- 
est powers.  The  quality  of  workmanship  is 
the  finest  possible.  It  is  unexcelled  for  sta- 
bility and  precision  of  working  parts.  Made 
in  four  forms  as  enumerated  below. 

Full  description  of  the  above  instruments, 
and  illustrated  catalogue  of  microscopes  and 
apparatus  ;  also,  classified  list  of  40,000  ob- 
jects forwarded  post  free  on  application. 

STAND  E. — Microscope  J'tand,  having  coarse  a4Jfistment 
by  sliding  body  in  j>erfect  fitting  tube.  Fine  a4jn8t- 
mentofour  improved  form,  which  works  without 
the  least  lateral  motion,  uurlorstage  fitting  hung  on  a 
pivot  so  that  it  can  be  lifted  aside  with  apparatus  in 
it  when  direct  Hght  from  the  mirror  is  required; 
double  mirror,  di  aw -tube  divided  to  centimetres, 
milled  head  of  Fine  Adjustment  grooved  for  Photo- 
graphy, fitted  with  one  eye-piece  only «21.26 

The  above  instrument  fitted  with  two  Bye-pieces,  Abbe   Model  Illuminator,  with  set  of  Stops 

highest  quality  1  In..  26°,  and  1-16  in.  ObjectiveH,  complete  in    Mahogany  Caae $44.50 

STAND  F. Exactly  similar  to  •'  E,"  but  with  best  quality  npiral  rack  and  pinion  coarse  adjust- 
ment, fitted   with    one  Eye-piece  only S27.00 

Complete  with  Objectives,  &c..  In  case,  as  above S49.60 

STAKI)  •'  G."— Exactly  similar  to  •*  F,'*  but  having  be^t  conijv.nnd   sub^tasre    w  ith  rackwork  to 

focus  and  screws  to  centre,  aa  figured  in  "  H  "  Htnnd.     With  one  Eve-ji.ce  only $35  00 

Complete  witb  Objectives,  Ac.,  in  caae.  as  above $60.00 

STAKD  "  H/'— The  most  complete  of  the  serie^i.     SimilHr  to   "  ;'.."  hut  haviug   large,  thin,  and 

very  riffid  mechanical  stage,  a«  figured.     With  one  Fy.  -pitM-  ,„jiy $47.60 

Cbmplete  with  Objectives,  case  as  above,  and  AM)e  Model   Illnn)ijin»' r.  huvijg  Iris  diaphragm 

and  Mt  of  stops  for  dark  ground  and  oblique  illumination,  complete $75.00 

IF  UTATVIOK  St  SONS.  313  High  HolbornW.  C,  London,  England  ami  78  Swanston  St.,  Mel- 
-'boarnSrAwtnaia.  Established,  1837. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


WANT,  SALE  AND  EXCHANGE  NOTiCES. 


FOR  SALE.— First  ('l:iss  Itotanical  mounts,  25  cents.  Send  for  list ;  also 
will  exchaujrt*.  I.  PERCY  BLA.CKMAN,  Sandy  Hook,  Ctonn. 

FORSALE.— ToUes  1-10  objective,  1.42  N  A,  one  of  his  latest  and  best. 
Al5»o  1-Ti  Powell  &  Ivelaud  apochromatic  objective,  1.40  N.  A,  new. 

C.  E.  BLAKE  &  CX).,  Adams  Express  Bldg.,  Chicago,  III. 
READ  the  nice  stories  in  Lippincott's  Monthly  Magazine.     Yon  can  save 
50  cents,  (club  rat«)  by  subscribing  for  Lippincott  through  us. 

MICROSCOPICAL  PUB.  CO. 
FOR  SALE. — Xicelv  mounted  slides  uf  Rhinoceros  horn,  at  40  cents  each. 

'  U.  H.  DAVISON,  41  Sumner  St.,  Pautucket.  K.  L 
FOR  SALE — Pritrharcrs  Infusoria  (latest   edition,   oolored  plates)  and 
Smith's  British   Diatoma<-e.ie  (2  vols.,  uncut).      Hiese  works  are  very  scarce 
and  can  onlv  W  got, as  iu  this  case,  when  a  mirrotfmist  finishes  using  them. 
Price  $60.  No  Sijj. ,  Care  C.  W.  SMILEY. 

FOR  EXCHAMtK. — The  Museum  of  Haraline  University  desires  to  ex- 
change Atlantic  SlielU.  preservnl  specin^ensof  Marine  Zoology  of  microscopic 
slip  slides  for  zooloj^jcal  specimtns  t^pwially  Rodents  in  the  flesh  from 
Southwestern  United  States.     CA)rre.s{)<.ndem-e solicited. 

HEXRY  L.  OSBORN,  Hauiliue  Univ.,  St.  Paul,  Minnesota. 
ARR  VX(;Er)  DIATOMS.     I   I'urnish   the  most  artistitic  arrangements  of 
diatoms  in  slides  at  $5.00  each.     Your  name  (!an  be  made  from  di£ferent 
species.     Roostci^,   hen  and  chickens,   and  bouquets  of  flowers  in  butterfly 
scales  and  diatoms  from  $5.00.     Refer  to  the  Editor  of  this  Journal. 

M.  H.  DALTON,  1(5  Rue  de  Lavenir,  Asnieres,  pres  Paris,  France. 


Microscopical  Specialties. 

KING'S  CEMENTS  ^^^^*'"^"*^""'"^^i^dVywiusu.t«nit. 

KING'S  GLYCERINE  JELLY  is  unsurpassed. 
THE  KING  MICROTOME  is  the  best  for  botanical  work. 

S«nd  for  full  list  of  epedalties. 

J.    D.    KING,    Cottage    City,    Mass. 


INVERTEBRATE  DI8SECTI0NS. 

Second  Edition  ;  Revised  and  Greatly  Enlarged. 

DESIGNED  to  suit  the  requirements  of  high  school  or  college,  or  to  guide 
any  who  may  desire  to  pursue  an  elementary  course  of  practical  or  theoretics! 
invcrtehrate  zoology.  It  contains  working  directions  for  the  study  of  fifty 
types,  from  all  classes  and  orders  of  Invertebrates,  attention  being  chiefly 
called  to  (M)mmon  and  easily  obtained  forms  ;  notes  on  habitA  and  modes  of 
capture,  und  items  to  observe  on  living  animals  ;  bibUographiciiI  reference  to 
some  of  the  most  accessible  literature  of  each  group  ;  and  a  synoptical  table 
of  the  entiie  animal  kingdom  summarizing  all  the  phyla,  classes  and  orders, 
thus  making  the  book  a  compend  of  Elementary  Invertebrate  Zoology . 

Hvo;  heavy  paper  covers;  64  pages  ;  price  75  cents.  Special  rate©  for  scbikols* 
Sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price.  Circniars  and  sample  pages  furnished  on 
application  to  author. 

Hknry  L.  Osborn, 

Hamline  University ,  St.  Paul,  Minn,  ^ 


Digitized  by 


Google 


General  Index 


TO  THE 


American  Monthly  Hlcroscopical  Jonrnal 

1880-1895. 

(16  years.) 

We  have  for  sale  a  limited  number  of  copies  of 
this  general  index,  containing  69  pages  and  6500 
references  at 

$1.00  per  copy. 


BACK   NUMBERS. 

We  can  supply  sets  of  the  Journal  for  1881-1896, 
at  $2.00  each;  the  last  ten  volumes  for  ten  dollars. 
4 


Digitized  by 


Google 


CARL  REICHERT 
MICROSCOPES. 

SOLE  AGENTS  FOR  UNITED  STATES. 

RICHARDS  &  CO.,  LTD., 

NEW  YORK,  CmOAGO, 

41  Barclar  Street.      108  Lat[e  Street. 

fficrosGoplc  Preparations  Dlnstratii  tlie  Hinnte  Stmctnre 
of  VeptaMe  Life. 

Being  enclosed  in  a  novel  transparent  envelope,  these  objects  may 
be  examined  without  removal  before  mounting.  They  are  prepared 
with  the  utmost  care  by  Walter  White*  England,  and  are  mostly 
stained  in  one  or  two  colors  of  the  most  permanent  character. 

A  friend  says :  The  sample  section  is  exquisite.  It  is  so  good 
that  I  want  more.  As  a  well -cut  and  well-stained  section  it  is 
equal  to  anything  I  have  seen  in  that  line. 

PRIGEIS. 

Catalogue  of  172  objects,  -  -  -  I0.02 

Single  specimens,       -  -  -  .   ,         -  .08 

20  specimens,  assorted,  .  -  -  i.oo 

CHAS.  W.  SMILEY,  Washington,  I>.  C. 


SWEDENBORG 

is  not  only  a  theologian  ;  he  is  a  scientist  and  a  scientific  writer, 
whose  keenly  philosophical  analysis  of  phenomena  is  helpful  to 
every  scientific  student.    Send  for  catalogues  or  answers  to  questions, 
Address 

ADOLPH  ROEDER, 

Vineland,  N.  J. 

FOR  SALE. — A  set  of  slides  illnstratiug  the  Woody  Plants  of   Illinois^ 
1).')  Genera.  H.  F.  MUNROE,  821  Jackson  Boulevard,  Chicago,  III. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE  FiSK 

TRAGHRRS'   AGRNGIRS, 
EVERETT  O.  FISK  &  CO..  Proprietors. 

President. 

KvKRrrr  0.  Fi«,  -  -  -  4  Ashbnrton  Plhco,  Boston,  Ma««. 

Managers. 

W.  B.  UsRRiCK,  4  Aflhburton  Place,  Boston,  W.  D.  Kerr,  70  Fiftli  Avenue,  New  York, 

»I»M.  N.  Y 

Mrt.  S.   D.   THtTRMoxD,  1242    Twelfth  St.,  P.  V.  Hut^soon,  70  Fifth  Avenue,  Now  Yoik, 

Wtuthio^ton,  D.  C.  N.  Y. 

A.  G.  FisuKii,  4   Ashburton  Place,  Boston,  W.  0,  Pratt,  70  Fifth  Avfiiue,  New  Yoik, 

Mr*-  N.   Y. 

Martha  Hoag,  4  Ashbnrtop  Place,  Boston,  L.  R.  HaL'^ey.HS.'j  Waliosh  Avenue,  Chicago, 

Mh-v.  111. 

HKtrv  Q.   Eager,  4   Ashburton  Place,  Bo»-  J.  D.  Enole,  Century  Ilnildui;;,  Minneapo- 

ton,  Mmjw  olis,  Minn. 

W.    0.    McTaooart,    25    King  St ,    West  Mrs.  E.  DowLiya    Kxole,  Century   Bldg., 

Toronto,  Oftnuda.  Minneapolis,  Mini>. 

H.  £.  Crocker,  70  Fifth  Avenue, New  York,  C.  C.  Botvton,  IZ()]4  So.  Spring  St.,   Los. 

N.  Y.                                     •  Angeles,  (^al. 

Send  to  any  of  tho  above  agencies  for  lOO-page  Ajcency  MaRUHl.  Correspondence  with  em- 
fdoyeis  is  invited.    Begistration  forms  sent  to  teachers  on  ai>plic:iti<>n. 


ZEISS  MICROSCOPES. 

The  Carl  Zeiss  Optical  Works  in  Jena 

Ar6  recognized  in  Europe  as  the  leading  mauufacturers  of  Stands  and 
Objectives.  They  have  issued  anew  Catalogue  for  1S95,  c(rjlaining  a 
description  of  a  number  of  new  accessories  an  1  apjaraius  which  I  am 
enabled  to  import  at  lowest  rates.  Orders  for  col!  tr'S  and  institutions 
tilled  pronipty.  duty  free.  New  Catalogues  forwoiucd  on  nppiication, 
against  20  cents  in  postage  stamps 

F.  J.  KMMKUrCIf,  Sr.,  Aproiit, 

74  Murray  St.,    New  York,  N.  Y. 


OPTICIAN. 
209  South  11th  Street,    Philadelphia. 


HISTOLOGICAL    MICROSCOPES  $65. 


STUDENTS'  MICROSCOPES,  $38  to  $46,  Complete. 

MICROMETER  RULINGS.   A  SPECIALTY. 


ILLUSTRATED  CATAIXXi  IT.   ON    AIMI.'IM 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Send  for  Art  Catalogue. 

Light?      19  to  21  lbs.  .     S 

Strong  ?     Guaranteed. 
For  whom?     300  pound  riders. 


KEATING  BICYCLES. 


J      Frame  sway?     No.     Whj^?     See  that  curve. 
Speedy?     Yes. 


I 

Ihsthi 


Why?     Long  chain. 

ESaSHSaSHSHHHSHSHSi 

36  c:  days  ahead  of  them  all. 


Keating  Wheel  Co.,  Holyoke,  Mass. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Qmolo^ioml  Magasine 

OR 

lUontt^Iy  journal  of  (Ecology: 

WITH   WHICH  IS  INCORPORATED 

"THE    GEOTvOGIST." 

EDITED  BY 

HENRY  WOODWARD,  LL.D. ,  F.  R.  vS.,  PrksG.  S.,  F.  Z.  S.,  F.  R.  M.  S. 

OP  TH^  BRITISH  MUSHUM  OF   NATUKAL   HISTORY  ; 

ASSISTED  BY 

ROBERT  ETHERIDGE,  F.  R.  S.  h.  &  E.,  F.  G.  S.,  F.  C.  S  .  &c. 

WILFRID H.  HUDLESTON,  ]VP.  A.,  F.  R.  S.,  F.  G.  S  ,  F.  L.  S.,  F.  C.  S- 

GEORGE  J,  HINDRE,  Ph.D.,  V.  P.  G.  S.,  &c. 

AND 

HORACE  BOLINGBOKE  WOODWARD,  F.  G.  S. 


The  NEW  SERIES.    Decade  IV.    Vol.  H.No.  1-4. 
Jan.-    April,  1895,  NOW  READY. 

PUBLISHED    BY 

MESSRS.    DULAU    &,    CO., 

37  SOHO  SaUARE,  LONDON,  W. 

It  is  earnestly  requested  that  Subscriptions  may  be  sent  to  DuLAu  and 
Co.  in  advance.  Snbecribers  otlSs.  for  the  year  will  receive  the  Magazine, 
Post-free,  direct  on  the  Ist  of  each  Month.     Single  copies  1 5.  6<i.  each. 


All  Communications  for  this  Magazine  should  be 
addressed  to  the  Editor.of  the  Geological  Magazine, 

129  BEAUFORT  STREET,  CHELSEA," 

LONDON,  S.  W. 

Books  and  Specimens  may  in  future  be  addressed  to  the  Editor,  care  of 

MESSBS.  DULA.U  &  00.,  37  Soho  Square,  London,  W. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1 


Special 
Announcement 


D" 


-  I  N 


MICROSCOPY. 


^URIKO  the  iMt  few  moathe 
I  have  been  buey  preparing 
many  rate  and  novel  olfJecCs 
for  Mlcroecoplcal  purposes,  aud 
hKTe  arranged  them  as  under  in 
Illustrated  Series. 

The  fl ret  of  tbeee  is  the  Ml- 
croscopicfil  Stadies  in  HXa- 
riQe  Zoology. 

The  •econd  Seriea  (viz.:  tliat 
for  1895)  consiHtd  ot  14  eplendid 
prepamtiouR.  all  of  the  highest 
pomible  exrelleucc?  hdcI  guaranteed 
permanent.  The  14  elidt^  appeal 
ID  quarterly  iottallments,  anil  are 
accumpanied  by  over  100  pages 
of  descriptive  letterpreas, 
dealing  in  pleasant  but  oxac-t  man- 
ner with  the  anatomy,  life-biBtojy 
and  habits  ot  the  respective  anb- 
J(Tt«i.  while  12  fuU-paD^e  plates 
of  photo-eug^raving^t  orawn 


from  life,  make  plain  all  detnilfl. 
Inclusive  Subscription,  96. 2S,  po-^t-frcc.     Full  pr<i»iMHtn«  on  application. 
The  foUowiug  are  among  the  Glided  iucluded  iu  this  Series : 


1.  Colony  of  the  lovely  Radiolarian  Sphstro-         I 

•ottm,  showing  parasitic  al^a?.  40c 

2.  The  lovely  Zoophyte  Obclia^  polyi»  fully 

expanded.  36c 

3.  Stalked  stage    of    the  larva    of    Busy 

Feather  Star  (aiUedon)  40c  ' 

4.  An  entire  Sea- Butterfly  (Ptcropod),  40c 

5.  Lovely  expauded  Zoophyte  Synconjne.      40c  ^ 


6.  Lovely  Expanded  Zoophyte  Sertvlana     60c 

7.  0|K><:iHumHthrimp  Myait^  showing  audi- 

tory organ  in  tnil  38c 

8.  The  fiHendid  rare  organ-pipe  Polycoon, 

Lichetiftpora  40c 

9.  Entire  larval  Plaice,  eye  jnst  tnmlng 

from  blind  side  and  6  other  equally 
fine  slides.  SOc 


The  prices  agKiu^t  each  are  those  at  which  the  preparations  are  sold  separately,  show- 
ing what  a  cheap  lot  I  oficr  in  series  at  S6.2.),  post  free.  A  few  sets  of  Siiies  1  sUU  available, 
$6.25,  post  free.     Sample  Shde,  oOc.,  post  free. 

Prof.  J.  R.  Ainrtworth  Duvis,  University  College,  Aberystwith.  writes:  "^Ilnw  me  to 
congratulate  you  on  the  very  useful  work  y«.u  are  doing  by  the  pubU(Mii..u  of  luurual,  with 
aooompanyiug  slides,  which  are  most  admirable. 

Superb  microscopical  preparations  of  Brazilian  I^lnnas  — I  have 
been  unfortunate  in  ol>taining  a  quantity  «»t  ili-«.»»  r-upoib  stemA — the 
most  lovely  in  the  whule  plant  kingdom — and  have  arranged  them 
iu  two  setsof  6  each,  at  the  pri«'e  of  Sl.:^5  j»«r  fM-t,  or  S"i  25  for  thf 
two.    The  most   exqnl4it«'fy   ciurmmg  slides  that  conid  ix^s^ibly  b« 

imagined  for  exhibition  at  popular  githerings.    As  the  quantity  is 

^■^^^^^^^^^^^^     very  limited,  I  am  unable  t^^  well  single  slides. 

Microscopical  Studies  in  Botany. — In  answer  to  mnnv  requests,  I  have  ar- 
ranged 20  magnificent  preparations  in  a  series  on  similar  lines  to  thut  in  murine  SKMlogy  de- 
scribed above. 

The  first  series  is  now  \>eguD  anu  c^mpnses  2(f  highest-class  slides  (Mich  as  sell  singly 
at  25c  to  35c  each),  illustiated  by  descriptive  letterpress  aud  20  specially  beautiful  photo  micro- 
graphs of  the  sections. 

Subscriptions,  $6.25  only,  for  all,  a  sum  which  would  be  cheap  for  the  series  of  illus- 
trations alone. 

Prof.  J.  W.  Carr,  University  Odlege,  Nottingham,  writes :  "Tour  Botanical  Slides 
are  the  most  beautiful  I  have  ever  H'.n-n.     The  following  ure  among  the  slidea  already   iMued  iu 


aooompanyiug  slides,  which 

Botany. 


above  lines : 

1.  Tr.  sec.  flower-bud  of  Lily 


2.     "    "  do 

.3.  Louk'I  sec.    do 
4.  do  fruit 


of  Dandelion 
of       do 
of  Fig 


26c 
30c 
25C 
30c 


5.  Tr.  sec.  fruit  of  Date  (splendid)  36c 

6      "     *'    flower  of  EschachoUzia  90c 

7.  Long*l.  sec.  double  flower  of  Peony  26c 

8.  Leaf-fall  of  Sycamon*  26c 


I  lEfuarantee  the  perfection  of  all  my  mounts  and  will  be  pleased  to  send 
selections  on  approval  to  approved  correspondents. 

A  great  range  of  Miscellaneous  Zoological  and  Botanical  slides  in  stock 
at  prices  from  $1.30  per  dozen. 

Cost  of  MaiUug^.  1  slide,  10  cents  ;  2  slides,  15  cents  ;  3  slides,  20  cents  and 
so  on.     Large  parcels  by  express  at  very  cheap  rates. 

Speciality.  Marine  /Zoology  (especially  in  expanded  Zoophytes  and  larval 
stages,  and  plant  and  flower  anatomy. 

Terms.  Remittance  by  P.  O.  O.,  draft  on  London,  or  U.  S.  paper  currency,  the 
former  preferred  If  wished,  Mr.  C.  W.  Smiley,  Washington,  D.  '.  will  hold  the 
amount  till  order  is  satisfactorily  executed.  Mr.  Smiley  has  kindly  promised  to 
vouch  for  the  excellency  of  the  slides  and  will  give  references  to  U.  8.  Microscop- 
ists  who  have  been  well  satisfied  with  my  preparations. 

JAMES  HORNELL, 


Biological  Station,  Jersey,  England. 


Spscialist  in  Hiorosoopical  Mounting. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


X 


Digitized  by 


Google 


i 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


AHH#NOL 

3n  ia  (grippe 

behaves  as  a  stimulant  as  well  as  an    9\  9w  ( 1 49  \lji^^  t  S^ 


g^fl4      flXtOiVi^^iC^     thus  differing  from  other 


Coal- 


tar  products.  It  has  been  used  in  the  relief  of  rheumatism  and  neuralgic 
pains  and  in  the  treatment  of  the  sequelae  of  alcoholic  ezdess.  ABCMONOL 
is  also  prepared  in  the  form  of  salicylate,  bromide,  and  lithiate.  The  pres- 
ence of  Ammonia,*  in  a  more  or  less  free  state,  gives  it  additional  properties 
as  an  expectorant,  diuretic  and  corrective  of  hyperacidity .^Z,^wiribfi  Lancet. 

She.  .Stimutont 

AMMONOL  is  one  of  the  derivatives  of  CoaMar,  and  differs  from  the  aumerou*  sim- 
ilar products  in  that  it  contains  Ammonia  in  active  form.  A9  a  rMult  of  this,  AMMO- 
NOL possesses  marked  stimulating  and  expectorant  nroperties.  The  well-known  cardiac 
depression  induced  by  other  Antipyretics  has  frequently  prohibited  their  use  in  otherwise 
suitable  cases.  The  introduction  of  a  similar  drujr,  possessed  of  stimulating  properties, 
is  an  event  of  much  Importance.  AMMONOL  possesses  marked  anti-neuralgic 
properties,  and  it  is  claimed  to  be  especially  useAil  in  cases  of  dysmenorrboea.— 7%^  mai- 
{cal  Afagarine,  Ijmdon. 

Ammonol  may  be  obtained  from  all  Leading  Druggists.    Send  for  **Aromonol  Bjl- 
ccrpta,"  a  48-page  pamphlet. 

THE  AMMONOL  CHEMICAL  CO., 

NEW  YORK,  U.  S.  A. 


FOR   SALE. -"Microscope,  Bausch  and  Lomb's  Hanrard  stand  with 

^  and  1-5  odjectives  and  one  and  two   inch  eye,  doable  nose  piece,  slides, 

etc.,   in   fact   a   complete   first-class  outfit;   nearly  new;   price  very  low. 

Write  for  particulars  to 

S.    A.    BROOKS,    M.    D., 
Springfield,  N.  Y. 

Sixth   Edition  of  '  ~~ 

THE     IVIICROSCOPE 

AND    MlOROSOOPIOALx    MELTHODS, 
BY  SIMON   HENRY  GAGE, 

Professor  of  Microscopy.  Histology  and  Bmbryoloffy  in  Cornell  Uniyerslty  and  Um  Nsw 
YoriL  State  Veterinsry  CoUege,  Itbaoa,  N.  T.,  U.  8.  A. 
The  figures  b»Te  been  Increased  from  103  to  166.  Id  matter  this  edition  has  grown  fhMB  166  to  tt7 
pagee.  This  Increase  Is  due  to  additions  In  the  text  of  preTioos  editions  and  to  some  wholly  new  mattar 
open  methods  of  isolation  and  of  sectioning  by  the  collodion  and  by  the  parafln  methoifa,  the  prtparatton 
of  drawings  for  pabllcatlon  and  lectnre  room  diagram.    PRICE  fl.60  POS-f  PAJH    CoasrocK  Pvbusm 

ISO  Co.,  THACA,  N.  Y. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL 

Contents  for  March,  1897. 

The  Striped  Mnscle   Fibre :   A  few   Points  in  its  Comparative   Hintology. 

Tayler.     (With  Fiontispieoe.) TJ 

TestA  £or  MicnMoope  Objectives.    Nelson 80 

Notes  on  (Comparative  Histology  of  Blood  and  Muscle.  Clay  pole 84 

On  Soundings  fh>m  the  Pacific  Ocean.     Edwards 89 

Practical  Methods  of  Demonstrating  l*abercle  Bacilli.    Sherman 92 

Editobial. 

Le  Natnraliste  Canadian 95 

DiatomaceoQS  Earth  Free... ...  95 

Pritchaid's  Infhsoria 96 

ThePastear  Gardens 96 

Monumental 96 

P&ACTHAL  Hints.    Ward^ 

A  Simple  Expedient  in  Focussing 97 

Preservation  of  Library  Mucilage 98 

For  Moistening  Envelopes 98 

MicBoscopicAL  Manipulation. 

Stable  Picro-Carmine  Solution 99 

Stain  for  Tubercle  Bacilli 99 

Revival  of  an  Old  Histological  Method  for  Rapid  Diaguunis 100 

Stains  for  Vegetable  Tissues 100 

The  Sterlization  of  Milk 100 

Plants  Growing  under  Microscope 101 

Storax  as  a  Mounting  Medium 101 

Walter  White's  Botanical  Specimens 101 

Bactkeioixxjy. 

Cheede  Curd  Inflation,  its  Relation  to  the  Bacterial  Flora  of  Fore- 
milk   102 

The  Constancy  of  the  Kinds  of  Bacteria  in  Normal  Milk 102 

The  Fly  as  a  Germ  Carrier 103 

Infections  Character  of  the  Feces  of  Tuberculous  Cattle 103 

Rapid  Isolation  of  Bacillus  Coli  Communis 104 

Excretions  of  Microorganisms 105 

Mkdical  Microscopy. 

On  the  Actions  of  Antitoxin 105 

The  Functions  of  Suprarenal  Bodies 106 

Scarlet  Fever  by  Mail 106 

Physicians  can  Testify  as  to  Stains 107 

Biological  Notes. 

Rhizopods  as  Scavengers 107 

Microscopical  Notss. 

Meeting  of  American  Publisher's  Association  108 

New  Publications. 

.     Bacteria  in  Rocks 108 


Digitized  by 


Google 


JUL  a    . 


307 


I  Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


HISTOLOGY  OF  THE  STRIPED  MUSCLE. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE    AMERICAN 

MONTHLY 

MICROSCOPICAL    JOURNAL. 


Voi,.  XVIII.  MARCH.  1897.  No.  3 


The  Striped  Muscle  Fibre:    A. few  Points  in  its  Compara- 
tive   Histology. 

By  LOUISE  TAYLER, 
PATTBRSON,  N.  J. 

(With  Frontispiece.) 

The  striped  muscle  fibre  has  been  the  centre  of  interest 
for  many  years.  This  may  be  seen  from  all  books  touch- 
ing upon  the  subject  found  in  any  biological  library. 
Perh9.p8  the  most  work  has  been  done  toward  determin- 
ing the  ultimate  nature  of  the  cross  striping,  and  in  other 
regards  it  has  had  less  attention.  In  the  few  notes  here 
offered,  some  points  of  a  different  nature  are  presented; 
points  not  so  generally  presented  in  those  discussions. 

The  muscle  tissue  of  the  following  animals  has  been 
examined  in  regard  to  these  points: 

,   1  The  Elasmobranch,  2  Prog, 

3  Turtle,  4  Snake, 

6  Pigeon,  6  Rabbit,  7  Cat. 

Before  taking  up  this  discussion  a  general  review  of 
striped  muscle  may  be  of  use.  The  mass  of  skeletal 
muscular  substance  is  collected  into  distinct  organs,  mus- 
cles, the  most  of  which  are  attached  by  means  of  fibrous 

DBSCRIPTION  OF  THR  FRONTISPIIOE. 

1.  Trftnsectloo  of  striped  muacle ;  fros, 

2.  Transection  ofitriped  muscle;  rabbit. 

A.  Larger  section  of  striped  muscle  fibre ;  trog. 

4.  Same  as  Fig.  I,  enlarged. 

I.  Transection  of  striped  muscle  fibre ;  turtle. 

6.  Transection  of  striped  muscle  fibre ;  pigeon. 

7.  Same  as  in  FIr.  2,  enlarged. 

8.  Transection  of  striped  muscle;  13-daj  chick  embryo. 

9.  Transection  of  striped  muscle;  20-day  chick  embryo. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


74  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [March 

connective  tissue  to  some  firm  part  upon  which  they  may 
act  (Fig.  1,  2).  The  whole  muscle  is  enclosed  within  a 
connective  tissue  sheath.  Each  muscle  is  divided  into 
bundles  called  fasicles,  which  are  also  surrounded  by 
sheaths  of  connective  tissue..  The  fasicles  again  are 
divided  into  individual  fibres,  which  are  separated  by 
very  similar  connective  tissue  sheaths  from  each  other. 

These  fibres,  the  structural  elements,  are  elonfs^ated 
transversely  striated  cells,  or  rather  fibres,  composed  of 
two  distinct  parts,  the  sarcolemna  and  the  sarcoas  sub- 
stance. The  sarcolemna  is  a  thin  transparent  and  elastic 
sheath.  The  sarcoue  substance  is  a  semi-fluid  with  the 
appearance  of  alternate  dark  and  light  bands  and  also 
of  longitudinal  striations.  This  substance  is  the  essen- 
tial part  of  a  muscle  fibre.  It  is  not  yet  certain  whether 
the  covering  or  sarcolemna  fits  over  this  sarcous  sub- 
stance like  a  glove  finger  or  whether  it  is  connected 
structurally  with  it. 

Very  complex  theories  have  been  proposed  concerning 
the  ultimate  structure  of  the  muscle  fibre;  the  simplest 
and  that  most  in  harmony  with  the  probable  structure  of 
other  cells  is  as  follows:  The  protoplasm  of  the  fibre  is 
composed  of  a  network  of  threads.  This  network,  in- 
stead of  being  arranged  irregularly  as  in  most  cells,  is 
arranged  regularly  in  longitudinal  and  transverse  threads 
(Fig.  3).  These  threads  cross  each  other  at  right  angles 
and  at  points  of  crossing,  enlargements  like  beads  are 
formed.  The  enlargements  optically  run  together  across 
the  fibre,  making  the  dark  bands,  the  thin  parts  between 
appearing  to  form  light  bands.  Owing  to  the  fact  that 
the  longitudinal  threads  are  stronger  than  the  transverse 
threads,  there  is  a  tendency  for  the  fibres  to  break  up 
into  longitudinal  elements  known  as  fibriles. 

In  a  transverse  section  each  muscle  fibre  shows  a  divi- 
sion into  a  number  of  small  polygonal  areas,  known  as 
Cohnheim's  areas.     These  are  composed  of  bundles    of 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICEOSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  76 

fibrils  and  bear  a  similar  relation  to  the  tibres  that  the 
fasicles  do  to  the  muscle. 

Baeh  fibre,  moreover,  contains  nuclei.  They  are  oval 
bodies,  the  long  axis  usually  placed  paralled  with  the 
iQngaxis  of  the  fibre  (Fig.  3).  The  position  of  nuclei  varies 
greatly  in  the  different  animal  forms  and  for  this  reason 
special  stress  is  laid  upon  it  in  this  discussion.  The 
points  to  be  emphasized  are,  the  position  and  number  of 
nuclei  imbedded  in  the  sarcous  substance  and  the  relative 
sizes  of  the  different  fibres.  The  animals  have  been 
chosen  from  widely  varying  classes  to  give  a  fair  repre- 
sentation of  all  types.  They  are  taken  up  in  order,  ac- 
cording to  their  classification  in  the  animal  kingdom. 

The  fish  representative  is  an  elasmobranch,  the  dog- 
fish. Its  striped  muscle  fibre  is  long  and  cylindrical  as 
is  usual.  At  its  ends  it  tapers  suddenly,  the  striated 
condition  is  lost  and  only  the  connective  tissue  covering 
stretches  out  into  muscle  attachment.  The  fibres  vary  in 
width  but  an  average  diameter  of  twenty  fibres,  as  shown 
in  section,  is  74  microns.  The  nuclei  are  imbedded  in  the 
sarcous  substance  and  only  rarely  is  one  found  by  the 
edge,  making  but  eleven  per  cent  of  the  whole  number  in 
this  position. 

The  frog  is  the  amphibian  representative  (Fig.  4). 
The  different  fibres  vary  greatly  in  width,  those  nearer 
the  outer  edge  of  a  muscle  section  appearing  much 
smaller.  This  may  be  due  to  the  fact  that  the  fibres  ter- 
minate on  the  outer  edge  in  the  sheath  of  muscle.  The 
average  diameter  of  twenty  fibres  as  shown  in  section  is 
66  microns.  The  only  measurements  found  mentioned  are 
those  given  by  Gage  (Reference  Handbook  of  Medical 
Science,  Vol.  V.  p  ):  the  approximate  width  is  56  mi- 
crons for  amphibians.  87  per  cent  of  the  nuclei  are  im- 
bedded in  the  sarcous  substance.  A  transection  of  a 
fibre  shows  from  one  to  six  nuclei.     The  frog  is  quite  a 


Digitized  by 


Google 


76  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [March 

differ eutiated  amphibian  and  for  that  reason  these  points 
may  differ  in  the  more  generalized  forms. 

The  turtle  representing  the  reptiles,  differs  from  the 
frog  (Fig.  5).  The  muscle  fibres  appear  in  transection 
a  little  more  angular  and  the  diameter  is  smaller.  An 
average  of  twenty   measures  55  microns,  in  the  turtle. 

77  per  cent  of  the  nuclei  are  imbedded  in  the  sarcoussub. 
stance.    This  shows  and  advance  in  one  line,  over  the  frog. 

The  pigeon  is  considered  next  (Fig.  6).  This  animal 
though  not  belonging  to  the  highest  class  of  mammals  be- 
longs among  warm  blooded  animals.  Naturally  differences 
are  to  be  expected  between  this  and  the  cold  blooded  forms. 
The  first  difference  noted  is  that  the  fasicles  are  more 
distinct.  The  average  diameter  of  twenty  fibres  is  24 
microns.  The  nuclei  are  found  to  a  great  extent  at  the 
edge  and  only  3  per  cent  are  imbedded  in  the  sarcous 
substance. 

Turning  to  the  mammals,  one  finds  still  more  differ- 
ences (Fig.  7).  The  fasicles  in  the  rabbit  are  much 
more  distinct  than  has  yet  been  found  and  are  surrounded 
by  more  connective  tissue.  In  section,  the  individual 
fibres  are  far  more  angular,  making  the  form  more  pris- 
matic than  cylindical, — an  average  of  20  diameters  26 
microns,  less  than  one-half  the  size  of  the  frog.  The 
rabbit's  fibre  has  only  i  per  cent  of  its  nuclei  imbedded 
in  the  sarcous  substance.  This  leaves  by  far  the  greater 
number  at  the  edge,  projecting  out,  even  push  out  the 
sarcolemna.  The  cat's  muscle  is  very  like  that  of  the 
rabbit  though  there  is  more  connective  tissue  between  the 
fasicles  and  also  between  the  fibres  themselves.  This 
m,ay  be  due  to  the  greater  activity  and  strength  in  the 
cat  than  is  possessed  by  the  domestic  rabbit,  necessitat- 
ting  a  large  blood  supply  and  firm  binding  of  parts  to- 
gether. An  average  of  20  fibres  in  diameter  measures 
24  microns,  and  none  of  its  nuclei  are  imbedded  in  the 
sarcous  substance. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897.]         MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  77 

There  is  a  wide  difference  between  these  last  fibres  ex- 
amined and  the  first;  the  results  are  expressed  in  the 
following  summary: — 

Average  Average  per  cent  of  nuclei  im- 

Diameter.  bedded  in  sarcous  substances. 

Dog-fish,  74  mierons  89  per  cent 

Frog,  66  microns  87  per  cent 

Turtle,  55  microns  77  per  cent 

Pigeon,  24  microns  3  per  cent 

Rabbit,  25  microns  i  per  cent 

Cat,  24  microns  0  per  cent 

This  table  shows  a  gradual  change  in  the  muscle  fibre 
from  the  more  general  to  the  specialized  animals;  the 
size  of  the  fibres  not  only  gradually  grows  smaller  and 
generally  more  angubvr  but  they  are  more  surrounded  by 
connective  tissue.  The  nuclei  gradually  approach  the 
edge  and  in  the  highest  forms  are  even  pushing  out,  mak- 
ing projections  on  the  surface  of  the  fibres. 

There  is  a  large  gap,  however,  between  the  cold 
blooded  and  warm  blooded  animals,  giving  two  distinct 
groups,  both  in  diameter  of  fibre  and  per  cent  of  nuclei 
imbedded  in  the  sarcous  substance. 

Pacts  from  Embryological  Forms. — There  is  a  sug- 
gestion that  perhaps  some  intermediate  forms  could,  be 
found — unless  variation  is  dependent  on  physiological 
conditions  wholly — in  developing  muscle  in  embryos. 
By  a  study  into  some  developing  tissues  of  the  chick  em- 
bryos of  13,  16,  18  and  20  days,  the  series  of  changes  ob- 
served is  both  interesting  and  suggestive.  The  series 
begins  with  irregular  ill-defined  cells  (Pig.  8),  which 
in  the  next  stage  (16  days)  ghows  clearly  defined  fibres 
with  centrally  placed  nuclei.  The  next  stage,  in  transec- 
tion shows  in  a  cell,  more  than  one  nucleus  generally 
centrally  placed  and  the  last  stage  examined  (Fig.  9) 
shows  most  of  the  nuclei  at  the  edge  of  the  sarcous  sub- 
stance as  in  the  adult  pigeon.  The  cells,  however,  are 
very  much  smaller  than   in    the   adult,  the   20  examined 


Digitized  by 


Google 


78  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [March 

measuring  only  an  average  of  10  microns  at  the  20-day 
stage.  This  would  be  expected  from  the  physiological 
conditions  of  inactivity. 

Facts  fr(»m  Adult  Forms. — As  the  skeletal  muscle  is 
looked  upon  as  the  most  highly  developed,  consequently 
an  examination  of  striped  muscle  which  is  not  voluntary 
may  also  throw  some   light  upon  the  subject  under  con - 
sideration.     Of  these  forms,  the  cardiac is  most  sugges- 
tive; the  fibre  in  it  is  much  shorter  and  contains  only 
one  centrally  placed  nucleus.     This  then  is  less   special- 
ized than  the  striped   muscle  fibre   of  the   frog   for  one 
centrally    placed     nucleus    is    a    characteristic     of   the 
plain  muscle  fibre.      The  question  arises,  is  there  any 
striped  muscle,  otherwise  placed,  which  may  show  some 
difference?     The  muscle  in  the  esophagus  offers  a  basis 
for  comparison.     Sections  both   longitudinal  and   trans- 
verse have  been  examined  from  the  various  parts  of  the 
tubes  of  some  of  the  animals  already  noted.   The  esopha- 
gus of  the  frog  has    only   plain   muscle.     The   rabbit's 
esophagus  has  plain  muscle  fibre  at  the  stomach  end,  but 
this  gradually  changes  toward  the  other  end  where  the 
striped  muscle   fibre  is  like  the  skeletal  muscle  in   the 
position  of  its  nuclei.     The  average    per  cent   of   nuclei 
imbedded  in  the  sarcous   substance  is    IJ    per   cent,  but 
the  variation  from  the  middle  of  tube  to   the  mouth   end 
is  from  4  per  cent  to  0  per  cent.     Nothing  like  cardiac 
muscle,  in  the  gradual  change,  could  be  observed,  though 
some  writers  state  that   fibres   become  short  toward  the 
middle  of  the  esophagus.     The  cat's  esophagus  has  also 
plain  muscle  at  the  stomach  end  and  gradually  changes 
to  striped    muscle    toward    the    other  end.     It    has    an 
average  of  20  per  cent  of  nuclei  imbedded  in  the  sarcous 
substance.     This  large   number   may  be  due   to  the  fact 
that  the    sections,    from    which    the   observations   were 
made,  were  of  tissue  quite   far  down  this  tube.     Taking 
it,  however,  as  correct  on  the    whole,  the  position  of  the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICEOSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  !r» 

nuclei  in  the  striped  muscle  fibres  of  the  cat's  esophagus 
may  be  considered  less  specialized  than  that  of  the  rab- 
bit's esophagus.  It  may  be  regarded  as  an  interesting 
fact  that  in  the  rabbit,  the  nuclei  are  quite  centrally 
situated  when  not  at  the  edge  where  as  in  the  cat,  those 
in  the  sarcou^  substance  appear  only  just  oflF  the  edge 
of  the  sarcolemna. 

The  embryonic  chick  esophagus  affords  interesting 
gradations  too.  The  earlier  stages  show  distinct  cells, 
each  with  a  central  nucleus.  They  appear  in  transection 
as  very  like  plain  muscle  fibres.  In  an  older  embryo,  the 
fibres  are  more  angular^  the  striated  condition  distinct 
and  the  nuclei  both  centrally  and  marginally  situated 
as  in  the  pigeon,  with  the  greater  per  cent  at  the  margin. 

Thus  we  find  a  series  of  adult  structures  in  various 
animals  showing  certain  marked  differences.  An  em- 
bryological  series  may  be  made  showing  variation  of  a 
developing  structure  in  one  animal  that  corresponds  in 
general  to  the  series  of  adult  forms.  Also  intermediate 
forms  may  be  found  in  adult  animals  by  considering  some 
part  (esophagus)  not  so  strongly  voluntary  in  action. 

The  table  given  above,  shows  that  the  muscle  fibres  be- 
come more  specialized,  the  higher  we  go  in  the  animal 
kingdom.  In  position  of  nuclei,  the  large  gap  between 
the  cold  blooded  and  warm  blooded  animals  is  bridged 
over  by  the  developing  tissues  of  the  chick  embryo.  It 
is  known  that  striped  muscle  develops  from  cells  similar 
to  plain  muscle  fibres.  The  facts  given  above  in  regard  to 
the  striped  muscle  of  the  esophagus  and  chick  embryonic 
tissues  illustrate  how  specialized  skeletal  muscles  devel- 
ope,  from  plain  muscles  and  that  ancestral  forms  may  be 
found  in  the  skeletal  muscles  of  the  less  specialized 
animals. 

[The  above  work  waa  done  at  the  Wesley  College  laboratory  under  the 
kindly  direction  or  Miss  E.  J.  Clay  pole,  to  whom  the  writer  gratefi^ly-iic- 
knowledges  indebtedness.]  .    ^        .       .^v. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


80  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [March 

Tests  For  Microscope  Objectives.! 

By  EDWARD  M.  NELSON, 

I«ONDON,  tNGI^ND. 

Power,  practically,  has  very  little  to  do  with  the  reso- 
lution of  diatomic  stri©  with  oblique  light — eyepiecing 
easily  remedies  any  defect  on  that  score;  quality  of  ob- 
jective has  also  (contrary  to  the  usually  received  opinion) 
litle  to  do  with  it;  a  bad  objective  maybe  a  strong  striae 
resolver.  The  only  other  factors  left,  then,  are  those  of 
aperture,  skillful  manipulation,  and  keenness  of  percep- 
tion. Given  the  requisite  aperture,  skillful  manipulation 
and  keenness  of  perception  (assuming  that  keenness  of 
vision  is  present)  will  come  with  intelligent  practice. 

We  must  in  the  first  place,  recognise  that  some  of 
the  diatoms  above  enumerated  are  bj  no  means  constant 
in  the  fineness  of  their  structure;  consequently,  the  reso- 
lution of  their  stride  by  oblique  illumination  is  no  criterion 
of  the  aperture  of  an  objective,  neither  is  it  of  its  quality. 

With  a  i  axial  cone,  P.  angulatufn,  dry  on  cover,  is  a 
good  t«st  for  the  highest  quality  lenses  from  Jin.  up- 
wards. Note,  the  slide  should  be  what  is  called  a  "sprend 
slide."  As  a  rule,  it  is  betterto  avoid  '^selected  diatoms," 
especially  when  mounted  dry  on  cover. 

We  should  also  remember  that  the  test  lies  more  in  the 
quality  of  the  image  than  in  the  strength  of  the  resolu- 
tion. Therefore,  the  quality  of  an  image  yielded  by  a 
coarse  diatom,  well   within    the    grip   ot   the    objective. 


tin  replj  to  tbe  following  qnestions  :  (I)  for  what  particalar  powers  are 
the  following  diatoms  generally  recognised  as  suitable  tests:  Sarirella  gemmae 
Pleurosignia  attenuatam,  Pleurosigma  ancnlatum,  Navicnla  Ijrra,  Grani- 
matophora  marina,  Stanroneis  phoenicenteron,  Triceratiam  favos?  (2)  In 
which  of  the  following  media  are  the  above  diatoms  resolved  most  easily  with 
dry  objectives  of  suitable  power  and  aperture:  Styrax,  balsam,  mono-brom 
naphthalin,  mono-brom  balsam,  or  mounted  dry?  (3)  What  is  approximately 
tbe  lowest  magnifying  power  under  whidi,  with  an  objective  capable  of 
dividing  Pleurosigma  angulatum,  the  dots  may  be  distinctly  discerned  by  an 
eye  of  average  power  of  vision?  (4)  Which  variety  of  OoeciDodiscns  most 
easily  shows  tbe  secondary  markings? 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOUKNAL.  81 

affords  a  better  test  than  a  faint  striation  just  glimpsed 
with  a  lens  barely  possessing  the  necessary  aperture  to 
resolve  it. 

N.  lyra, — ^Two  nights  ago,  I  saw  one  valve  in  balsam 
beautifully  dotted  with  a  1  in.  on  a  dark  ground.  Another 
valve,  however,  was  so  fine,  that  it  required  a  wide- 
angled  h  in.  to  do  it. 

One  of  the  best  diatoms  to  work  on  with  the  higher 
powers  is  the  large  N.  rhomboides,  tonnd  in  "Sozodont" 
tooth-powder  (discovered  in  this  material  by  G.  Main- 
laud,  F  E.M.S.);  it  is  very  constant  in  fineness,  the  trans. 
atrisB  being  60,000  per  inch.  Zeiss  apochromatic  ^in. 
crosses  it. 

The  best  test  for  low-power  lenses,  say,  from  1}  to  ^ 
or  4-10  of  '6  N.A.  is  a  balsam-mounted  diatom  with  dark 
g^round  illumination  by  Abbe's  achromatic  condenser  and 
central  stop.  The  stop  should  be  just  of  a  sufficient  size 
to  give  a  perfectly  dark  ground,  and  no  larger.  This 
teat  consists  in  the  freedom  from  scattered  light  about 
the  diatom.  A  coarse  N,  lyra  does  very  well;  the  clear 
structureless  parts  of  the  diatom  should  be  free  from 
scattered  light  from  the  neighbouring  parts  that  have 
structure.  Of  course,  the  lenses  must  be  accurately  ad- 
justed by  the  alteration  of  tube-length.  For  the  higher 
powers  a  bright  field  should  be  used  from  a  f  axial  cone, 
and  the  finer  forms  of  Lyra^  or  P.  formosum,  or  the 
larger  N,  rhomboidea  are  suitable.  These  may  be  mounted 
in  balsam,  or  better,  styrax;  or,  better  still,  in  quinidiue. 
Quinidine  is  the  best  medium,  but  for  some  reason  or 
other  it  is  very  difficult  to  work  with.  I  have  one  of  the 
first  slides  prepared  in  this  medium  which  is  still  excel- 
lent; but  most  of  the  others  in  my  possession  have  gone 
bad.  The  fact  that  one  of  the  early  slides  is  perfect 
shows  that  mounts  in  this  medium  are  possible.  Why 
they  cannot  be  multiplied  is  a  mystery  I  am  unable  to 
fathom. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


82  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [March 

A  spread  slide  of  P.  angulatum  dry  on  cover  is  an  ex- 
cellent test.  The  minimum  power  required  to  see  it  in 
dots  with  a  }  axial  cone  is  about  220  diams.  I  have  my- 
self glimpsed  it  with  slightly  less,  but  then  the  image 
was  very  diflBcult.  An  old  cheap  student's  i  N.A.  "72 
showed  it  with  a  magnification  of  250.  Probably  some 
of  the  modern  cheap  semi-apochromats  would  do  it  with 
less.  The  Zeiss  apochroraatic  i  N.  A.  -65  dots  it  easily 
with  a  large  axial  cone.  It  has  even  been  seen  with  this 
fine  lens  with  the  8  compensating  eyepiece.  P.  and  L. 
t>ld  achromatic  4-10  N.A.  -64,  power,  290,  also  does  it. 
All  modern  students'  i  and  i,  semi-apochromatic  or  other- 
wise, should  do  it  also. 

The  golden  rule  for  the  resolving  power  of  any  o"bjec- 
tiV'e  with  a  i  axial  cone  of  illumination  is  that  they  should 
show  a  fineness  of  structure  equal  to  70,000  multiplied  by 
their  N.A.     Thus— 

Table  I. 

FiDeuesBof  Stractnre  ' 

N.A.  Reuolved. 

01     7,000 

0-2     14,000 

0  3 21,000 

0  4     28,000 

05     35,000 

0-6     42,000 

0-7     49,000 

0-8     56,000 

0-9     63,000 

10     70,000 

11     77,000 

1-2     84,000 

1-3     91,000 

1-4     98,000 

1-5      105,000 

Table  II.  agrees  very  well  with  Table  I,  It  must  be 
remembered  that  some  of  the  lenses  which  apparently  do 
not  come  up  to  the  rule  gave  a  very  strong  resolution  of 
the  numbers  opposite  lo  them;  they  therefore  would 
probably  have  resolved  a  trifle  more,  but  there  was  not 
at  hand  a  slightly  finer-marked   diatom  to  test  them  on. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18»7]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  83 

The  following  table  shows  what  has  actually  been 
achieved  on  diatoms  in  balsam  with  a  i  axial  cone.  A 
comparison  of  this  table  with  the  former  will  be  instruc- 
tive:— 

Table  II. 
Objective.  N.  A.  Heaolved. 

Apochromaticlin '32     t>2,000 

Achromatic  4- 10 64     40,000 

Apochromatici -66     46,000 

Senii-apochroiuatic  i '71     53,500 

Achromatic  1 79     53,000 

Semi  apochromatic  1-7 86      60,000 

Achromatic  15 ^8     60,000 

Apochromatic   \ 95     65,000 

Semi-apochromatic  1-12 126     90,000 

Apochromatic} 143     94,000 

I  do  not  know  which  of  the  Coscinodisci  has  the  coars- 
est secondaries.  Asteromphalus  is  fairly  coarse.  Some 
of  the  Triceratia  have  very  coarse  secondaries — Thuniii 
may  be  one  of  them. 

With  regard  to  mounting  media,  there  has  b^en  too 
much  made  of  high  refractive  index,  and  too  little  of 
cipectrum  irrationality.  Piperine  has  a  high  index,  but 
it«  irxationality  spoils  it. 

-  The  order  of  merit  may  be  taken  as  follows: — 
1.  Quittidine,  by  far  the  best;  unstable. 

..   2.  Styrax,  v-ery  good  and  permanent. 
a.  Balsam,  perman^it. 
4.  Monobromide,  not  good. 

-  ProL  Smith's,  Br.  Meale's  and  Father  Thompson's 
media  are  uncertain,  difficult,  and  very  dangerous  to  work 
with. 

In  concfusion,  let  me  urge  workers  to  procure  a  (xif- 
ftird's  F  line  screen  for  use  at  the  back  of  the  condenser; 
they  are  quite  inexpensive.  They  greatly  improve  the 
definition,  and  make  cheap  semi-apochromats  almost 
equal  to  the  most  expensive  apoehromats;  they  even  im- 
prove apochromats,  and  they  increase  the  resolving 
power. — English  Mechanic. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


84  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [March 

Notes  on  Comparative  Histology  of  Blood  and  Muscle. 

By  EDITH  J.  CLAYPOLE, 

WELLBSLBY,   MASS. 

There  is  great  diflSculty  in  batiitig  general  bistologj 
on  the  various  books  and  discussions  of  human  histolbgjf. 
Even  if  any  mammal  other  than  man  is  made  the  oDJect 
of  study  there  is  difScuIty  since  many  of  the  tissues  of 
the  cat  and  rabbit  for  instance,  vary  widely  from  the 
same  tissues  in  man,  while  among  the  still  lower  forms 
still  greater  diiferences  exist.  Compound  tissues  vary 
largely  and  even  many  elementary  ones  are  markedly 
distinct. 

The  animals  chosen  for  these  few  notes  were  the  rab- 
bit, cat,  pigeon,  turtle,  snake,  frog,  ambleptoma,  crypto- 
branchus,  hecturus;  slightly  amia,  a  ganoid  fish  and  pro- 
topteus,  a  dipnoan  fish;  only  two  tissues  were  examined 
thoroughly,  blood  and  striped  muscle.  Others  are  partly 
worked  out,  but  not  fully  enough  for  discussion. 

Blood. — This  tissue  has  been  very  largely  worked  on 
owing  to  its  medico-legal  importance,  interest  being  cen- 
tred in  the  size  and  number  of  the  red  corpuscles.  These 
cells  of  all  animals  fall  into  two  natural  groups,  those 
with,  and  those  without  nuclei.  All  mammals  possess  non- 
nucleated  corpuscles;  vertebrates,  birds,  reptiles,  amphib- 
ians and  fishes  possess  nucleated  corpuscles. 

From  various  sources  I  have  collected  or  made  measure- 
ments of  as  many  forms  in  these  classes  as  possible  with 
the  following  results  placed  in  tabular  form. 

These  figures  are  suggestive.  Variation  occurs  from 
6  to  75  microns,  a  gradual  decrease  in  size  from  general- 
ized to  specialized  forms,  both  in  different  members  in 
the  same  class  (salamanders,  frogs,  csBcilians)  and  in  the 
different  classes  (amphibians,  fishes,  reptiles,  birds,  and 
mammals).  At  each  end  of  the  table  are  specialized  forms, 
not  equally   so,    but   both   far   from    primitive,    modern 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  85 

fishes  and  birds  and  mammals.  The  amphibia  lie  be- 
tween a  class  acknowledged  to  contain  widely  varying 
forms,  some  highly  specialized,  others  exceedingly  gen- 
eralized. The  variation  in  size  of  red  corpuscle  corre- 
sponds with  this  range  in  form.  They  are  small  in  ciecil- 
ians,  18*2x15  very  large  in  amphiuma,  a  salamander. 


OVAL  CI 

XLS. 

L. 

B. 

Fissss 

L. 

B. 

microns 

microns 

nieod                micioD0 

micTOos 

Amphinma 

75. 

45. 

Oarp 

15. 

9. 

Reptiles 

Omkoid 

Turtle 

10. 

6. 

Stnigeon 

13. 

10. 

Snake 

10.7 

12.9 

Amia 

11.6 

8.6 

Lizard 

/16. 

10. 

Elatma9 

il3. 

10. 

Ray 

2a5 

Alligator 

20. 

7. 

Shark 

22.6 

Birds 

DWMOOM 

Lepidosinm 

41. 

29. 

Fowl 
Pigeon 

12. 
12. 

7. 
7. 

Amphibiaks 

Mammals 

Sf»ly 

18.2 

15. 

Camel 

8. 

4. 

Frog 

23.2 

16.5 

• 

Toad 

24. 

16. 

CIRCULAR  CELLS 

Megalobatiachns  47. 

33. 

microns 

Cryptobranchiw 

48.7 

29.2 

Man 

7.5 

Nectnrns 

58.4 

31.1 

6.5 

Pioteas 

58. 

35. 

Lampery 

12.6 

Sireo 

59. 

30. 

Cyclostomefi 

11.3 

There  is  another  striking  change  in  this  series.  The 
normal  absence  of  the  nucleus  from  the  mammalian  red 
corpuscles  and  the  presence  of  it  in  all  other  red  corpus- 
cles is  well-known.  A  brief  consideration  of  the  func- 
tion of  the  red  cell  helps  in  explaining  this  fact.  It  is 
no  longer  a  typical  cell,  it  is  very  highly  specialized  for 
one  purpose,  to  take  up  oxygen,  the  more  oxygen  it  can 
carry  the  more  efiBcient  it  is.  Hsmoglobine  is  the  essen- 
tial oxygen  carrier  in  the  corpuscle,  by  crowding  out  the 
nucleus  more  of  this  .substance  can  be  present,  hence  the 
corpuscle  becomes  more  efficient.  A  series  can  be  made 
showing  the  gradual  loss  in  different  animal  forms,  large 
in  amphibians,  it  is  reduced  to  small  size  in  birds  and  in 
mammals  is  gone  entirely.  Decrease  in  size  follows  the 
same  law.  Exchange  is  far  more  rapid  between  small 
masses  ih^n  between  large  ones,  and  small  cell  elements 


Digitized  by 


Google 


86* 


THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY 


[March 


result  ill  mammals,  shown  ia  blood  corpuscles  as  well  as 
el-«ewhere. 

Muscle. — The  subject  of  striped  muscle  hasbeeu  much 
worked  on,  but  some  of  the  minor  points  are  the  ones  of 
most  significance  in  this  present  discussion.  It  is  well 
known  that  in  mammals  the  nuclei  of  the  fibres  lie  just 
under  the  sarcolemma  or  limiting  membrane  of  the  fibre. 
In  the  frog  they  lie  scattered  through  the  sarcous  sub- 
stance. The  size  and  shape  of  fibre,  number,  shape  and 
size  of  nuclei  and  also  the  structure  of  the  sarcous  sub- 
stance as  apparent  from  longisections  and  transections 
are  of  significance.  The  following  animals  were  used: 
lamprey,  amia,  frog,  amblystoma,  cryptobranchus,  nectu- 
rus,  snake,  turtle,  pigeon,  and  cat.  The  results  are 
shown  in  the  following  table. 


Size 

No.  of  Nuclei 

Location  of 

Uoarse  or  Fine 

Microns 

Nuclei 

in  section 

lamprey 

10 

1-2 

Inside 

Medium 

Amia 

18.9 

1-2 

'* 

Fine 

Protopterus 

liiy 

1-2 

I':dge 

** 

Frog 

45 

2-5 

Inside 

n 

Amblystoma 

42.3 

2-3 

t( 

Coarse 

Cryptobranchus 

78.6 

2-3 

(t 

(( 

Necturus 

88.5 

2-3 

(t 

«* 

Turtle 

54 

2-1 

** 

i( 

Snake 

r97.8 

I  89.7 

3-5 
25-35 

It 

;  Very  Fine 
'[        Fine 

Bird 

20.7 

2-3 

Edge 

Coarse 

Mammal 

21.1 

1-2 

<i 

Fine 

Warm  blooded  and  cold  blooded  animals  are  sharply 
cut  away  from  each  other  with  one  exception  the  dipnoan 
Protopterus,  in  which,  strange  to  say,  the  nuclei  are  at 
the  edge  as  in  birds  and  mammals.  On  the  whole  there 
is  about  the  same  number  of  nuclei,  with  one  exception 
to  be  discussed  later.  The  terms  coarse  and  fine  are  used 
to  describe  the  appearance  of  the  fibres  in  transection. 
This  difference  in  character  is  probably  due  to  the  vary- 
ing size  of  the  constituent  fibrils  in  different  animals. 
If  they  are  large,  a  coarse  effect  results;  if  small,  a  fine 
eflfect.     The  same  fact  explains  the  difference  in  length- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  87 

wise  view,  some  show  very  markedly  longitudinai  stria- 
tions,  the  coarse  ones.  In  the  snake  some  peculiar  con- 
ditions were  found.  Two  kinds  of  fibre  shown  in  tran- 
section, one  typical  coarse  grained  with  3-4  nuclei, 
another  very  dense  with  25-35  nuclei  in  it.  Examina- 
tion of  longisection  shows  these  to  belong  to  one  fibre, 
one  structure  passing  abruptly  into  the  other.  The 
nuclei  are  small  round  bodies  instead  of  oval,  the  only 
suggestion  as  present  is  that  it  may  be  some  especial 
form  of  ending. 

The  general  conclusions  reached  are  that  in  nuclei  as 
in  blood,  generalized  forms  of  animals  have  large  ele- 
ments, specialized  small,  in  spite  of  greater  muscular 
power  in  latter.  The  difference  in  location  of  nuclei  may 
be  explained  by  the  mechanical  disadvantage  of  a  num- 
ber of  non-contractile  masses  among  the  contractile  ma- 
terial. They  interfere  with  the  straight  pull,  hence  in  most 
differentiated,  active  animals  (birds  and  mammals)  the 
nuclei  are  ''pushed  to  the  wall,"  making  the  contractile 
force  all  available  for  locomotion  instead  of  being  some- 
what dissipated  by  oblique  pulls. 

This  general  law  is  deduced,  — the  more  generalized  the 
animal  the  larger  the  tissue  elements,  the  more  highly 
specialized  the  smaller  are  the  elements.  Exceptions  oc- 
cur of  course,  but  they  only  serve  to  prove  the  rule.  Only 
two  tissues  have  been  discussed  here,  but  an  interesting 
field  of  work  is  opened  by  this  treatment  of  these  com- 
ponent parts  of  animals  by  the  same  method  as  have  long 
been  applied  to  the  study  of  comparative  anatomy. 

DISCUSSION. 
BBFOBE  THE  AMERICAN  MICROSCOPICAL  SOCIETY. 

Professor  S.  H.  Gage — This  subject  that  ha8  been  gone  over  often  has  had 
a  little  new  life  pnt  into  it.  Miss  Claypoie  has  considered  it  from  the  phy . 
Biological  instead  of  from  the  mechanical  standpoint.  There  are  at  the  pres- 
ent day  two  great  schools  of  phjsiologisto,  thoe$e  that  believe  physiology  is 
refined  mechanics,  and  those  that  believe  it  is  something  more  than  ordinary 
mechanics. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


88  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [March 

This  p9per  has  another  beaatiful  featore  aboat  it  that  shows  to  the  older 
ones  as  well  as  to  the  yonnger  that  there  is  not  any  subject  exhausted  yet 
Every  increase  in  knowledge  makes  an  old  subject  a  new  one,  and  this  sub- 
ject has  been  made  alive  and  interesting. 

Mrs.  R.  P.  Gage — It  has  been  very  pleasing  to  notice  in  this  study  that 
the  evolotion  of  tissues  is  coming  to  be  considered  of  equal  intereist  with  the 
evolution  of  the  grosser  structures.  ^ 

Profesiwr  E.  W.  Claypole— We  have  the  evolution  of  these  tissues  and 
of  these  animals  to  consider.  Unfortunately,  from  a  geological  8tMid|fc>lAt» 
we  can  not  get  tissues,  except  in  a  few  cases,  to  replace  what  these  aodoit 
creatures  possessed  in  the  way  of  tissues.  If  we  trust  the  embryologist, 
there  must  have  been  some  change  going  on  in  the  course  of  the  evolution  of 
these  animals  on  the  earth,  and  it  occurred  to  me  that  that  is  partly  connec- 
ted with  the  change  that  took  place  when  land-life  first  began.  As  long  as 
the  reptiles  were  confined  to  the  sea  the  animals  possessed  the  advantage  of 
bieathing  through  their  skins,  but  land-life  deprived  the  animals  of  the 
power  oif  breathing  through  the  skin,  and  that  along  with  the  Increased  bur- 
den of  breathing  through  the  lungs.  The  change  took  place  somewhere  in 
reptile  life  ;  that  change  was  accompanied  by  the  necessity  for  greatly  in- 
creased oxidation  of  blood  In  the  lungs. 

We  then  have  to  consider  such  a  question  as  this  :  Why  should  the  ^unel 
alone  among  the  mammalia  possess  these  oval  blood  corpuscles?  That  is  a 
iquestion  not  yet  answered  by  the  paleontologistB.  The  lamprey  may  be 
regarded  as  a  highly  specialized  parasitic  creature,  because  it  sucks  the 
blood  of  other  creatures.  The  lampreys  can  be  carried  back  to  the  Devon- 
an  era,  and  if  they  possessed  blood  discs  almost  spherical,  then  these  must  be 
prerequisites  of  very  ancient  vertebrates.  If  the  lamprey  goes  back  to  the 
Devonian  age,  it  counts  among  the  very  early  ones. 

Dr.  V.  A.  Moore — No  tissue  is  more  laiigely  affected  in  the  diseases  of 
animals  than  the  blood,  although  much  is  known.  Still  little  is  known 
about  its  variations,  changes  and  susceptibility  to  not  only  the  solids  but 
those  now  ffoing  under  the  name  of  toxin  and  antitoxin.  This  paper  opens 
up  the  field  of  the  variability  of  structure  of  the  blood  in  the  same  individu- 
al regarding  atmosphere  and  temperature,  food,  and  so  on.  I  do  not^  know 
of  an  exhaustive  treatise  on  the  blood  of  a  single  healthy  animal,  and'it  is 
on  the  healthy  condition  that  pathologists  base  their  status.  It  is  import- 
ant we  should  study  the  condition  of  the  blood  in  a  single  specimen. 


Disinfection  of  Mails  from  Plague  Districts.— The  Pen- 
sylvania  State  board  sufi^gests  to  the  Post-master  General, 
in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  plag-ue  is  a  germ  disease,  the 
importance  of  taking  the  necessary  steps  to  insure  the 
disinfection  of  all  mails  coming  from  districts  in  which  the 
disease  may  prevail. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  89 

On  Soundings  from  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

By  ARTHUR  M.  EDWARDS,  M.  D. 

NEWARK,  N.   J. 

In  February,  1877,  there  were  submitted  to  me  by  the 
California  Academy  of  Science  certain  soundings  brought 
home  by  Commander  George  E,  Belknap  of  the  U.  S.  8. 
"Tuscarora"  which  were  taken  in  the  Pacific  Ocean  with  an 
understanding  that  I  should  make  a  microscopical  exam- 
ination of /them    and    submit  a  report  thereon.      Being 
called  away  to  the  Eastern  coast  by  illness,  I  was  unable 
to  do  so  until  lately.     I  then  made  a  partial    report    be- 
cause I  had  already    made  certain   discoveries    that    the 
soundings  brought  to  light.     A  fuller  report  has  waited 
the  obtaining  of  further  samples.     The  discoveries  made 
and  herein  suggested,  bear  on  the  soundings  from  the  At- 
lantic Ocean,  as  well  as  the  Neocene  rocks  of  California 
aud  also  of  the  Eastern  coast  of  North  America  and  else- 
where.    The  report  made  was  only  temporary,      (First) 
because  of   the  imperfect    state  the  specimens    were    in, 
being  dry  and  old;  and  (Secondly)  because  they  are    so 
incomplete,  there  being  many  in  the  list  which  I  will 
detail  further,  and  which  at  this  time  I  do  not  have,  and 
(Thirdly)  because  this  branch  of  science  is  in  a  very  un- 
satisfactory   state.     Hence  a    report  at  the  present  time 
most  be  to  a  certain  extent  unsatisfactory.     But  their  ex- 
ajnination  does  not  interfere  with  the  discovery  which  I 
have  now  to  report  and  which  may  seem  important. 

The  specimens  werp  one  hundred  and  eighty-four  in 
number  and  will  be  described  in  detail  hereafter. 

Lately  I  came  across  a  thin  volume,  which  is  called  : 
"Synopsis  of  the  cruise  of  the  U.  S.  S.  Tuscarora  from  the 
date  of  her  commission  to  her  arrival  in  San  Francisco, 
Cal.,  Sept.  2,  1874.  Compiled  by  Henry  Cummings, 
San  Francisco,  1874."  This  gave  me  a  list  of  all  the 
soundings  made.     They  are  from  Cape  Flattery  to  San 


Digitized  by 


Google 


90  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [March 

Francisco,  from  Cape  Flattery  to  A tcha (Aleutian  Islands), 
from  San  Francisco  to  San  Diego,  Cal.,  from  San  Diego, 
Cal.,  to  Honolulu,  H.  I.  to  Port  Lloyd,  Bonin  Islands, 
from  Bonin  Islands  to  Yokohama,  Japan,  and  from  Yok- 
ohama, Japan  to  the  Island  of  Tanaga  (Aleutian  Group). 

One  of  the  soundings  of  which  unfortunately  the  label 
was  destroyed,  but  which  from  other  evidence  seems  to 
be  from  somewhere  near  the  Sandwich  Islands  is  of  con- 
siderable interest,  for  it  appears  to  be  correlative,  if  it  is 
not  of  the  same  date,  with  what  was  taken  by  H.  M.  S. 
''Challenger''  in  the  South  Pacific.  But  the  Tuscarora 
sounding  is  from  the  North  Pacific.  It  also  is  the  same 
as  was  secured  by  Sir  J.  D.  Hooker  in  the  Antarctic 
region  and  is  described  in  the  transactions  of  the  British 
Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science.  Oxford 
meeting,  1847. 

The  forms  of  Bacillariacese  (Diatomaceae)  were  in  the 
Tuscarora  specimens  as   follows : 

Actinocjclas  ehrenbergii,  J.  K. 
Actiuoptychns  nndnlatos,  C.  G.  £. 
Araehnoidiscns  ehrenbergii,  J.  W.  B. 
Asteromphaius 
Biddnlphia  aurita,  L. 
Cbaetooeras  gHstridinoi,  C.  G.  £. 

moDiCje,  A.  G. 
Cosi^iuodiscus  excentricas,  C.  G.  E. 

patera,  C. 

radiatna,  C.  G.  £. 

umbonatas,  C. 
Cyclotella  astraea,  F.  T.  K. 
DeDticiila  elegans,  F.  T.  K. 

palea,  N. 
Fragilaria  pacidca,  A.  G. 
GramiLiatopbora  tropica,  F.  T.  K. 
Istbmia 

Podoeira  hormoides,  M. 
RbizoAolenia 
Synedrajeffrey«ii,  G.  D. 
Thalasicolia  iraunfeldii,  (G.)  C. 

A  specimen  I  have  from  H.    M.  S.    Challenger  sound- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  91 

ings,   which  is   labelled  as   from  1950  Jathoms,  coa tains 

in  it: 

Aciinocyclus  ehrenberRii,  J.  R. 

ActiQoptychos  nndalatas,  G.  G.  E. 

ATachiioidi8cii»«breDbergii,  J.  W.  B. 

Biddolpbia  aarita,  L. 

Cboetoceros  gastridinm,  C.  G.  £. 
monicse,  A.  G. 

Oofldnodiwns  patera,  C. 

umboQiatiis,  C. 

Denticala  palcea,  N. 

Fngilaria  pacifica,  6.  G. 

Grammatopbora  tropica,  F.  T.  K. 

Podosira  honuoides,  M. 

^jnedia  jeffireyaii,  G.  D. 
The  same  forms  are  to  be  found  in  the  Neocene  of  Cal- 
ifornia whenever  it  has  been  examined,  from  Crescent 
City  in  Del  Norte  county  on  the  north  to  a  spot  about 
forty  miles  south  of  the  southern  limit  in  Southern  Cali- 
fornia, that  is  to  say  into  Mexico.  They  are  the  same 
in  the  infusorial  earth  of  the  Atlantic  Coast  of  North 
America,  and  likewise  in  South  America  when  it  has 
been  detected  at  Payta  andMejillones  in  Peru.  In  North 
America  it  is  known  as  Miocene  territory  and  is  seen  at 
Atlantic  City  in  New  Jersey,  at  Richmond  in  Virginia, 
at  various  points  in  Maryland,  as  at  Nottingham,  and  at 
Tampa  Bay  in  Florida.  It  is  likewise  known  at  Oran  in 
Africa,  at  Moron  in  Spain,  at  Mors  in  Denmark,  at  Cata- 
nisetta  in  Sicily,  at  Simbirsk  in  Russia,  and  at  Senz  Peter 
in  Hungary.  Besides,  it  is  known  at  Netansi  in  Japan 
and  Oamaru  in  New  Zealand. 

And  what  does  this  bring  us  to  ?  We  have  to  compare 
the  forms  of  Bacillariria,  Rhizopoda  and  Foramenif era  of 
these  different  localities  and  we  find  them  essentialy 
the  same  in  all.  We  have  also  to  compare  the  forms  of 
Bacillaria,  Rhizopoda  and  Foramenif  era  of  the  soundings 
in  the  Pacific  and  Atlantic  oceans  and  we  find  them  the 
same.  Can  we  not  say  that  the  strata  are  the  same  in 
composition   chemically  and  the  same    in   organic  forms? 


Digitized  by 


Google 


92  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [March 

I  think  they  are.  And  can  we  separate  the  Neo- 
cene from  the  recent  soundings  in  any  respect  ?  I  do  not 
think  so.  It  has  been  more  than  hinted  at  the  likeli- 
hood of  the  Neocene  of  California  being  but  recent  from 
comparing  them  by  lithographic  reasons,  and  I  think 
they  can  also  be  likened  from  palsBontologic  reasons 
likewise.  We  can  not  distinguish  Neocene  Bacilliaria, 
Rhizopoda  or  Poramenifera  from  recent  which  are  living 
now.  Although  the  strata  in  New  Zealand  have  been 
placed  in  the  Cretaceous,  and  at  Simbirsk  in  the  lower 
Eocene,  we  must  expect  to  see  them  bearing  like  forms 
to  the  recent,  and  which  live  more  on  the  bottom,  of  the 
ocean  and  are  in  every  inlet  along  the  coast. 


Practical  Methods  of  Demonstrating  Tubercle  Bacilli. 

By  W.  N.  SHERMAN  M.  D., 

MERCBD,  CAL. 

Read  before  the  San  Joaquin   Valley  Medical  Society, 

When  we  consider  the  rapid  progress  of  medical 
science,  we  must  realize  the  vast  field  of  literature  with 
which  the  general  practitioner  should  familiarize  himself, 
in  order  to  keep  posted.  With  such  conditions  confront- 
ing us,  we  must  economize  our  time  and  adopt  methods, 
that  ape  shortest  and  quickest,  in  enabling  us  to  reach 
conclusions  and  to  obtain  results.  For  this  reason  the 
tendency  of  the  science  of  bacteriolgy  is  to  teach  methods 
by  which  we  can^most  quickly  reach  results,  and  thus 
make  a  quick  and  sure  diagnosis  of  contagious  and  other 
diseases.  In  such  diseases  as  cholera  and  diphtheria,  a 
skillful  bacteriologist  may,  within  24  hours,  establish  a 
positive  diagnosis,  by  means  of  the  microscope.  In  cases 
of  tubercular  disease  of  the  lungs,  a  positive  diagnosis 
may  be  established  in  fifteen  minutes,  when  the  most 
careful  and  skillful  physical  examination  may  have  failed 
to  reveal  the  slighest  lesion. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  93 

The  various  methods  of  examining  sputa  for  the  tuber- 
cle bacillus  would  only  seem  to  confuse  the  beginner,  un- 
less he  had  ample  time  at  his  disposal.  Numerous  modi- 
fications of  the  orignal  Koch-Erhlich  method  have  been 
recommended  and  adopted,  the  constant  aim  being  to 
simplify  and  shorten  the  technique  without  detracting 
from  its  reliability.  Biedert  has  recently  recommended 
the  following  method  for  demonstrating  the  bacilli  when 
they  are  scant  in  number.  A  teaspoonful  of  sputum 
and  two  teaspoon fuls  of  water  are  boiled  with  15  drops 
of  solution  of  caustic  soda,  then  four  tea5*poonfuls  of 
water  are  added  and  the  whole  again  boiled  until  it 
forms  a  homogenous  fluid.  It  is  allowed  to  stand  for  two 
days  (not  longer)  in  a  conical  glass,  when  the  bacilli  and 
elastic  fibers  form  the  sediment,  which  is  to  be  stained 
by  the  Ziehl-Neilson  process.  When  one  is  not  accus- 
tomed to  examine  for  the  bacillus  tuberculosis,  for  the 
purpose  of  controlling  the  degree  of  staining,  he  should, 
at  the  same  time,  stain  some  sputum  that  is  known  to 
contain  the  bacillus,  or  else  keep  a  few  test  slides  on 
hand. 

Another  method  of  preparing  the  sputum,  is  the 
method  of  Dahnen  :  the  sputun,  contained  in  a  vessel,  is 
heated  (not  boiled)  in  boiling  water,  thus  precipitating 
the  solid  substance  and  the  bacilli,  which  can  be  exam- 
ined at  once.  The  digestive  method  is  a  substitute  for 
the  Biedert  method,  and  is  superior  in  many  respects. 
The  sputum  is  introduced  into  a  test  tube,  and  the  diges- 
tive fluid  added,  which  is  1  per  cent  of  hydrochloric  acid 
containing  pepsin.  The  test  tube  is  then  placed  in  an  in- 
cubator or  water  bath,  at  a  temperature  of  98.6°  F.  for 
an  hour,  when  it  is  removed,  shaken  and  allowed  to  sedi- 
*ment.  Before  spreading  on  the  cover  glass  the  fluid 
mast  be  rendered  alkaline  by  adding  a  drop  or  more  of 
caustic  potash.     The  staining  is  done  in  the  usual  way. 

It  is  best  for  the  beginner  to  choose  a  simple  and  easy 


Digitized  by 


Google 


94  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [March 

method  of  staining,  and  to  stick  to  the  one  method,  as 
by  constant  practice  he  becomes  more  skilled.  It  is 
always  best  to  prepare  a  number  of  slides  from  each 
specimen,  as  some  of  them  may  fail   to  show  the  bacilli. 

The  simplest  and  quickest  method  of  staining  is  that 
of  Gabbet,  and  it  requires  but  two  solution,  which  may  be 
preserved  for  months.  The  cover  glass,  prepared  and 
dried  in  the  usual  way,  is  placed  for  two  minutes  in  a 
solution  of  1  part  of  f uchsin  in  100  parts  of  a  5  per  cent 
solution  of  carbolic  acid,  and  10  parts  of  absolute  alcohol. 
It  is  best  to  warm  this  solution.  The  cover  glass  is  next 
removed  from  this  solution,  rinsed  in  water,  and  placed 
for  one  minute  in  a  solution  of  2  parts  of  methylin  blue 
to  100  parts  of  a  25  per  cent  solution  of  sulphuric  acid. 
It  is  again  rinsed  in  water,  then  in  alcohol;  and  dried 
and  mounted  in  balsam.  The  preparations  made  by  this 
method  are  very  beautiful  and  permanent. 

The  method  which  I  employ  is  that  of  Pittion  and 
Broux.  With  this,  more  time  is  required,  and  more  skill 
in  manipulation;  but  when  skillfully  used,  the  bacilli  are 
larger  and  more  distinct  than  by  any  other  procedure. 
Three  solutions  are  used,  and  all  should  be  fresh  except 
the  first.  Sol.  a  is  10  parts  of  fuchsin  in  100  parts  of  ab- 
solute alcohol.  Sol.  6,3  parts  liq.  ammon.  in  100  parts 
distilled  water.  Sol.  c,  alcohol  50,  water  30,  nitric  acid 
20,  aniline  green  to  saturation ;  dissolve  the  color  in 
alcohol,  then  add  the  water  and  next  the  acid. 

To  use,  take  of  a  1  part  and  of  b  10  parts,  heat  until 
vapor  appears,  and  float  cover  glass  in  usual  way  for 
about  two  minutes,  then  rinse  in  distilled  water,  and 
place  in  solution  c  until  the  red  color  disappears,  then 
wash  and  mount.  It  takes  some  experience  to  know  just 
how  much  to  decolorize. 

The  tubercle  bacilli  are  distinctly  recognized  by  their 
red  staining.  With  a  good  specimen  and  careful  stain- 
ing by  this  method  the  bacilli  appear  as   large   under  a 


Digitized  by 


Google         J 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  95 

dry  1-5  objective  as  under  a  1-10  immerBiou  objective 
by  staining  processes.  Their  presence  in  the  sputum  is 
a  sare  indication  of  tuberculosis  of  the  lungs  or  larynx. 
Quite  a  close  approximation  of  the  severity  of  the  disease 
may  be  made  by  the  number  of  bacilli,  but  more  closely 
by  the  quantity  of  the  vpores.  Bacilli  are  often  dis- 
covered when  the  physical  signs  are  still  indistinct  or 
altogether  wanting.  Absence  of  the  bacilli  at  a  single 
examination  is  without  value. 

These  slides  [specimens  exhibited]  are  stained  by  the 
two  methods  last  mentioned,  and  are  from  the  sputum 
of  a  patient  under  treatment  with  Edison's  aseptolin 
since  February  22,  1896.  The  expectoration  has  contin- 
ually decreased  in  quantity,  but  there  seems  to  be  little 
elBTect,  if  any,  upon  the  form  and  number  of  the  bacilli. — 
Occidental  Medical  Times, 


EDITORIAL. 

Le  Naturaliste  Canadien. — The  scientific  publication  of 
that  name,  founded  by  I'Abbe  Provencher  and  edited  at 
present  by  TAbbe  V.  A.  Huard  of  Chicoutimi,  Canada, 
enters  with  the  January  number  upon  its  24th  year.  We 
wish  success  to  one  of  the  oldest  pioneers  of  learning  in  a 
country  where  natural  science  has  comparatively  few 
votaries. 

Diatomaceous  Earth  Free. — Mr.  K.  M.  Cunningham, 
having  in  the  month,  June,  1896,  discovered  a  new  Fossil 
Marine  Diatomaceous  deposit  near  Suggsville,  Clarke  Co., 
Ala.,  which  deposit  has  characters  closely  approaching  the 
deposits  of  Richmond,  Va.,  and  Monterey,  Pacific  Coast, 
and  further  having  in  the  month  of  December  past,  secured 
some  fifty  pounds  of  the  material  for  distribution  to  any- 
one, makes  a  free  oflFer  to  our  subscribers  who  may  en- 
close to  us  postage  at  the  rate  of  one  cent  per  ounce.  The 
material  contains  twenty-five  or  more  genera  of  Diatoms, 


Digitized  by 


Google 


90  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [March 

many  species  of  Foramenifera,  sponge  spicules,  Radiolar- 
lans,  Coccothths  of  the  chalk,  stellate  spicules  crystals  of 
selenite,  and  is  a  rich  clay  that  can  be  studied  with  ease 
by  experts  or  amateurs  in  microscopy. 

Pritchard's  Infusoria. — We  have  for  sale  a  copy  of 
the  latest  edition  of  that  beautiful  work  with  colored  plates. 
Price  $30.  Also  Smith's  British  Diatomacea?,  two  volumes, 
uncut.  Price  $30.  These  works  are  very  scarce  and  can 
only  be  got,  as  in  this  case,  when  a  microscopist  from 
Europe  finishes  using  them.  We  trust  that  some  scien- 
tific society  or  public  library  will  be  desirous  to  possess 
them,  since  they  are  very  rare  volumes. 

The  Pasteur  Gardens. — The  muncipality  of  Mexico  has 
given  the  name  of  Pasteur  to  the  gardens  situated  in  front 
of  the  National  School  of  medicine  in  that  city. 

Monumental. — A  conflict  more  windy  than  sanguinary 
arose  between  Surgeon  General  Sternberg,  of  the  United 
States  Army,  and  Surgeon  General  A.  L.  Gihon,  of  the 
United  States  Marine  Hospital  Service,  retired.  General 
Sternberg  made  a  motion  at  the  American  Public  Health 
Association  that  the  secretary  be  requested  to  accept  con- 
tributions for  a  monument  to  Pasteur,  and  he  suggested 
that  each  member  contribute  a  dollar  for  the  cause.  This 
brought  General  Gihon  to  his  feet  with  a  jump.  For  years 
he  had  been  trying  to  raise  funds  for  a  monument  to  Ben- 
jamin Rush,  whom  he  considered  to  have  been  the  great- 
est American  physician,  and  he  moved  as  an  amendment 
to  Dr.  Sternberg's  motion  that  each  member  that  contri- 
buted $1  to  the  Pasteur  monument  should  be  called  on  for 
$10  for  a  monument  to  Benjamin  Rush.  The  amendment 
was  declared  out  of  order,  and  Dr.  Gihon  submitted  a  mo- 
tion similar  to  that  of  Dr.  Sternberg,  with  Rush's  name  in- 
stead of  Pasteur's.  All  of  the  resolutions  were  referred 
to  the  Executive  Committee. 


Professor  Nocard  of  Alfort,  near  Paris,  has  received  the 
award  of  the  Lacaze  prize,  $2000  in  value,  for  his  researches 
in  animal  tuberculosis. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18971  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  97 

PRACTICAL   HINTS. 

By  R.  H.  ward,  M.  D. 

TROY,  N.  Y. 

A  Simple  Expedient  in  Focusing. — I  have  just  noticed 
that  one  intended  suggestion,  which  is  perhaps  curious 
enough  to  be  worth  noticing  separately,  was  inadvertently 
omitted  in  putting  in  order  my  article  on  **Focusing  Up- 
ward'* in  a  former  No.  of  Thk  Microscope.  In  the  method 
there  recommended  as  the  only  safe  one  for  fhe  inexper- 
ienced, and  the  best  one  for  all,  of  looking  horizontally 
through,  between  the  objective  and  the  slide,  until  the 
lens  is  near  the  slide  without  touching  it,  there  is  often 
difficulty,  in  certain  arrangements  of  the  microscope  and 
the  light,  requiring  light  to  be  thrown  through  by  a  hand 
mirror,  or  a  bright  background  to  be  presented  by  holding 
up,  in  suitable  position  and  light,  a  piece  of  white  paper  or 
card.  In  such  cases  it  is  often  very  easy  to  trace  the  de- 
scent of  the  lens  by  looking  obliquely  downward-and  view- 
ing the  reflection  of  its  lower  face  from  the  surface  of  the 
slide.  This  method,  which  is  familiarly  and  safely  used 
by  the  expert,  is  however  a  critical  one,  and  excessively 
dangerous  to  the  rash  and  inexperienced,  especially  if  not 
thoroughly  familiar  with  optical  principles  and  appear- 
ances. The  working  distance  of  the  objective  is  not 
shown  directly,  as  in  the  former  case,  but  obliquely  and  it 
may  easily  be  misjudged;  and  the  end  of  the  mounting  of 
the  objective  is  not  always  what  or  where  it  seems.  There 
are  of  course,  moreover,  four  reflections  in  dry  mounts, 
from  the  top  and  bottom  each  of  the  cover-glass  and  the 
slide,  though  two  of  these  are  naturally  obliterated  by 
**medium"  in  other  mounts,  and  the  deeper  reflections  are 
not  usually  distinct  enough  to  mislead,  even  if  noticed  at 
all.  This  method,  however,  should  not  be  used  by  begin- 
ners, nor  ever  with  objectives  or  slides  that  are  not  the 
property  of  the  manipulator;  as  a  slight  misunderstand- 
ing would  cause  a  fatal  accident  to  slide  or  objective,  if  not 
to  both. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


98  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [March 

Preservation  of  Library  Mucilage. — Th«  recent  discus- 
sions, in  Thk  Microscope  and  elsewhere,  of  methods  for 
preparing"  permanent  mucilages  and  pastes  for  the  library 
or  study  table,  seem  to  leave  little  need  of  addition,  except  to 
g"ive  a  caution  that  salicylic  and  carbolic  acids,  lately  rec- 
ommended as  preservatives  by  a  very  hig-h  chemical  au- 
thority, are  w^holly  unsatisfactory.  Antiseptics  of  this 
class  soon  turn  the  whole  stock  to  a  red  color  which  is  said 
to  be  due  to  action  upon  the  metal  of  the  brushes  com- 
monly used  in  the  mucilag-e  bottle. 

For  those  who  prefer  an  oflf-hand  method  wholly  free 
from  the  delay  and  trouble  of  making*  up  a  special  formula 
the  camphor  method  is  probably  the  best.  You  simply 
drop  a  lump  of  camphor,  about  as  larg^e  as  a  bean  or  half 
of  a  chestnut,  more  or  less,  into  the  bottle  of  mucilage,  and 
then  use  and  replenish  the  supply  just  as  if  the  lump  was 
not  there.  It  does  no  harm  there,  but  keeps  the  solution 
so  saturated  wMth  camphor  that  it  cannot  mould  or  fer- 
ment. When  the  supply  of  mucilage  becomes  low,  you 
drop  in  some  gum  Arabic  powder,  and  pour  in  and  stir  in 
some  cold  filtered  water,  and  it  is  ready  to  use  in  two  or 
three  minutes.  When  you  happen  to  notice,  after  some 
months,  that  the  piece  of  camphor  is  very  small,  you  drop 
in  another  piece.  And  that  is  all.  I  have  used  this  method 
a  great  many  years,  and  have. never  seen  it  fail. 

For  Moistening  Envelopes,  postage  stamps,  and  gum- 
med pasters  generally,  I  have  found,  after  trying  also  var- 
ious fancy  arrangements  that  have  been  introduced,  noth- 
ing so  practicable  for  general  library  use  (excluding  per- 
haps some  business  uses  where  the  employment  is  almost 
constant)  as  a  second  mucilage  bottle  and  its  brush,  sup- 
plied with  filtered  water.  A  mere  trace  of  gelatin  or  gum 
added  to  the  water  makes  it  more  manageable,  by  giving  a 
little  body  to  it;  though  this  is  by  no  means  necessary, 
and  though  it  greatly  hastens  the  deterioration  of  thestock 
by  keeping.  A  lump  of  camphor  floating  on  the  liquid,  as  a 
preservative,  will,  in  either  case,  keep  it  in  a  neat  condi- 
tion much  longer  than  without.  It  ought  to  be  no  longer 
necessary  to  say  a  word  in  favor  of  some  such  expedient  in- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897.]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  99 

stead  of  the  filthy  fashion  of  licking  pasters;  to  say  noth- 
ing* of  the  certainty  of  irritation  and  discomfort,  and  the 
evident  danger  of  serious  disease,  from  the  sawing  of 
harsh  edges  of  dry  paper  across  the  tender  surface  of  the 
tongue.  

KICSOSGOPICAL  HANIPULATION. 


Stable  Picro-Carmine  Solution. — A  satisfactory  picro- 
carmine,  yielding  a  solution  that  has  been  proved  to  keep 
good  for  five  years,  may  be  made  as  follows: 

Pure  carmine  is  dissolved  in  a  mixture  of  ammonia  water 
1  part  by  volume  and  water  4  parts,  care  being  taken  to 
keep  the  carmine  in  slight  excess.  After  standing  for 
two  days  filter  the  solution,  and  expose  it  until  a  precipi- 
tate begins  to  form,  protecting  it  from  dust  meanwhile. 
Again  filter,  and  add  concentrated  solution  of  picric  acid 
(?  to  excess),  then  agitate  and  set  aside  for  24  hours,  when 
a  third  filtration  must  be  followed  by  the  addition  of  1  part 
of  chloral  hydrate  to  every  1,000  parts  of  solution.  At  the 
end  of  a  week  filter  for  the  last  time,  and  immediately  bot- 
tle off  in  small,  glass-stoppered  vials. 

Stain  for  Tubercle  Bacilli.— Hardin  W.  Bright,  M.  D., 
Professor  of  Histology,  Pathology  and  Bacteriology  in  the 
Tennessee  Medical  College,  sends  us  the  following:  Place 
three  drams  water  in  test  tube,  add  five  drops  alboline. 
Shake  thoroughly,  then  filter.  Of  above  filtrate  100  parts 
Sat.  aqueous  sol.  Fuchsin  ten  parts,  80  per  cent  alcohol 
ten  parts.  The  above  solution  will  keep  better  than  if 
aniline  oil  be  used. 

Stain  ten  minutes  in  above  solution,  decolorize,  in  30  per 
cent  Nitric  acid,  wash  in  alcohol,  stain  three  minutes  in 
aq.  Sat.  Sol.  Methylene  Blue,  wash  in  water,  dry  and  mount 
in  Canada  balsam.  The  above  stain  is  an  improvement 
over  Ehrlich*s.  I  find  it  unnecessary  to  warm  solution. 
I  have  a  specimen  stained  by  this  method  which  I  have 
kept  for  over  one  year  and  the  bacilli  are  as  distinct  as 
when  first  stained.  The  envelope  can  be  clearly  differ- 
entiated from  thestained  protoplasmic  contents  of  the  cell. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


100  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [March 

Revival  of  an  Old  Histological  Method  for  Rapid  Diag- 
nosis,—Dr.  A.  A.  Kanthack  and  Mr.  T.  S.  Pigg  foiind,  of 
all  rapid  methods  of  hardening  tissue,  that  of  immersing 
small  blocks  in  boiling-  water  for  three  or  four  minutes  or 
in  the  caseof  delicate  tissue  one  minute,  was  the  most  rapid. 
The  tissue  could  then  be  at  once  cut  on  the  freezing  mitro- 
tome,  and  the  section  stained  well  with  logwood  or  other 
dyes;  or  it  could  be  preserved  in  alcohol  or  MuUer's  fluid, 
or  treated  by  the  paraffin  method.  For  rapid  diagnosis  in 
the  case  of  surgical  operations,  it  was  particularly  valuable. 
— British  Medical  Journal. 

Stains  for  Vegetable  Tissues.  -Dr.  E.  Vinassa  has  in- 
vestigated the  value  of  aniline  colors  for  staining  vegeta- 
ble tissues,  and  divides  them  into  three  groups  only:  saf- 
ranin,  congo-red,  benzopurpurins,  etc.;  those  affecting 
lignilied  tissues,  coUenchyma  vessels,  and  nuclear  sheaths 
— vesuvin,  Victoria  green,  chrysoidin,  violet,  methyl  green, 
fuchsin,  etc.;  and  stains  that  merely  differentiate,  such  as 
Victoria  blues  B,  RRRR,  and  BB,  which  color  the  thick- 
ened cells  darker  than  the  surounding  tissue,  and  thus 
render  them  more  conspicuous.  To  ensure  sections  being 
well  stained,  all  protoplasm,  etc.,  must  be  got  rid  of.  This 
is  effected  with  soda  lye,  washing  with  much  water  (acidi- 
fied with  acetic  acid  if  necessary),  and  then  allowing  to 
drain.  Afterwards  immerse  in  a  j4  to  1  per  cent  lukewarm 
stain  solution  for  two  or  three  minutes,  and  again  wash  un- 
til the  water  runs  clear. 

For  double  staining,  first  put  sections  in  the  stain  affect- 
ing the  lignified  tissue,  thickened  cell-walls,  etc.,  wash  well 
and  transfer  to  stain  for  parenchyma.  This  should  be 
heated  to  100  C.  and  rendered  slightly  alkaline.  Colors 
which  are  fast  on  cotton  were  found  to  stain  parenchyma, 
whilst  those  that  dye  wool  or  silk  directly  stain  the  thick- 
ened cell-wall,  etc.  Suitable  mordants  (tannin,  acetate  of 
lead,  etc.)  for  fixing  the  colors  must  be  found  by  experi- 
ment. 

The  sterilization  of  Milk. — J.  A.  Forret  has  examined 
various  methods  for  the  sterilization  of  milk  and  finds  that 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  101 

the  best  results  are  obtained  by  placing*  the  jar  containing^ 
a  pint  of  milk  into  a  tin  vessel  filled  with  3  pints  of  water 
in  such  a  manner  that  the  water  and  milk  are  at  about  the 
same  level  when  the  jar  is  supported  about  half  an  inch 
from  the  bottom.  The  water  is  then  heated  until  it  boils, 
after  which  the  milk  is  allowed  to  remain  in  the  water  for 
15  minutes.  The  water  should  boil  in  not  less  than  25 
minutes  and  the  milk  must  be  stirred  continuously  to  pre- 
vent the  separation  of  the  cream. 

Plants  Growing  Under  Microscope. — Procure  a  little 
CoUomia  seed.  Take  one  of  the  seeds  and  with  a  razor  cut 
off  a  very  tiny  slice,  place  it  on  a  slide,  cover  with  a  cover- 
glass  and  place  under  the  microscope.  The  instrument 
must  be  in  a  vertical  position.  When  it  is  well  focused 
and  lig'hted,  moisten  it  with  a  drop  of  water.  The  seed 
will  absorb  the  moisture  and  throw  out  a  very  larg"e  num- 
ber of  spiral  fibers,  g'iving"  the  appearance  of  veritable 
germination.  Beginners  will  find  it  easier  if  one  applies 
the  moisture  while  the  other  looks  thoug^h  the  instrument. 

Storax  as  a  Mounting  Medium. — Permanent  prepara- 
tions can  be  mounted  in  storax  according  to  Dr.  J.  H.  Piflf- 
ard  if  it  is  prepard  as  follows:  The  storax  is  liquified  in 
a  water  bath,  then  filtered  throug-h  two  or  three  thick- 
nesses of  cheese  cloth  in  a  hot-water  funnel  and  when  cold 
mixed  with  an  equal  weig'ht  of  xylol.  Shake  well  several 
times  throug-h  absorbent  cotton  or  Swedish  fitter-paper, 
and  evaporateat  ag-entleheatjto  the  consistency  of  treacle. 
Finally,  to  each  two  parts  of  the  fluid,  add  three  parts  of 
napthaline  monobromide,  and  heat  g'ently  until  a  clear 
amber-colored  fluid  is  obtained.  Probably,  the  refrac- 
tive index  of  the  medium  should  be  broug-ht  to  1,625  by 
adding-  more  of  the  ingredient  that  may  be  found  defi- 
cient, and  the  product  will  then  be  found  suitable  for 
work  with  the  highest  powers. 


Walter  White's  Botanical  Sections.— We  have  just  re- 
ceived from  England  a  new  supply  of  objects  and  we  can 
furnish  at  present,  almost  every  number  on  the  list. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


102  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Mareh 

BACTERIOLOGY. 


Cheese  Curd  Inflation — its  Relation  to  the  Bacterial 
Flora  of  Foremilk.— H.  L.  Bolley  and  C.  M.  Hall,  use  the 
word  "foremilk"  to  mean  the  milk  from  the  first  part  of 
a  milking,  not  colostrum.  Some  studies  were  made  on  the 
formation  of  *'pin-holes"  in  curds  which  indicated  it  to  he 
due  to  the  action  of  bacteria.  '^Experienced  cheese 
makers  have  quite  generally  affirmed  that  its  chief  origin 
is  dirty  milk."  The  work  upon  which  this  paper  is  based 
reaffirms  this  belief."  Preliminary  cheese  curd  and  fer- 
mentation tests  were  made  at  two  different  times  with  the 
milk  of  two  cows,  using  the  milkdrawn  first,  thestrippings, 
and  the  mixed  milk  of  the  whole  milking.  '*The  evidence 
from  these  tests  is  that  the  gas-originating  organisms 
were  not  located  in  the  udders  either  in  the  fore  or  last 
milk  and  that  the  few  *pin-holes'  of  the  curds  must  have 
had  an  external  origin." 

Studies  were  then  made  of  the  bacterial  flora  of  the  milk 
of  10  healthy  cows,  living  under  healthy  stable  conditions, 
from  January  22  to  April  25.  In  each,  samples  were  taken 
of  the  first  and  last  milk  of  the  milking  by  means  of  a  ster- 
ile silver  milking  tube  inserted  well  up  into  the  milk  cis- 
tern. As  a  result,  16  distinct  species  of  bacteria  were  iso- 
lated, some  of  which  were  common  to  both  the  first  and 
last  milk,  and  others  to  only  one  of  these.  All  the  micro- 
organisms found  were  bacteria,  and  none  were  found 
which  produced  gas.  **The  work  is  given  as  a  prelimin- 
ary study,  and  may  be  said  to  indicate — (1)  no  bacterial 
flora  common  to  the  animals  investigated,  save  one  pecu- 
liar non-milk  affecting  species;  (2)  that  a  given  form  when 
once  present  may  be  quite  constant  in  its  occupancy  of 
the  udder  of  an  individual  animal.  Finally,  the  absence 
of  gas-producing  organisms  remains  unexplained,  but  adds 
significance  to  the  previously  described  curd  tests." 

The  Constancy  of  the  Kinds  of  BacteriainNonnalMilk. 
— H.  L.  Bolley  made,  during  the  summer,  cultures  of  the 
milk  drawn  from  each  teat  of  three  cows.     The  samples  of 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1895.J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  103 

milk  were  obtained  in  the  same  way  as  in  the  preceding- 
studies,  except-  that  in  some  cases  the  milking  tube  was 
inserted  to  different  depths.  About  60  cultures  were 
made.  In  all,  37  different  kinds  of  bacteria  were  found  rep- 
resenting various  physiological  types.  *'As  in  the  previ- 
ous studies,  there  is  no  evidence  that  the  same  species  are 
common  to  different  animals,  but  the  constancy  of  the 
occurence  of  certain  types,  if  present  at  all,  is  very  appar- 
ent. It  is  plain  that  the  greater  number  of  the  germs  are 
found  only  accidentally  at  a  certain  time  in  a  given  udder 
or  teat,  and  perhaps  come  from  the  surrounding's  of  the 
animal.  But  there  are  certain  single  germs  which  if  once 
found  in  a  teat  or  udder  reappear  with  a  striking  con- 
stancy." 

The  Fly  as  a  Germ  Carrier. — In  1866,  Hoffman  demon- 
strated the  presence  of  tubercle  bacilli  in  the  bodies  of  flies 
captured  in  a  room  occupied  by  a  consumptive.  The  drop- 
ping's  of  the  flies  were  full  of  bacilli,  which  were  shown  by 
experiment  to  be  fully  virulent. 

Six  years  later,  M.  A.  Cop  pen  Jones,  of  Switzerland, 
proved  by  means  of  chromogenic  bacteria  that  infection 
can  be,  and  actually  is,  carried,  not  only  in  the  bodies  of 
flies,  but  also  by  their  feet.  In  the  experiment,  cultures 
of  the  bacilli  prodig-iosus  were  mixed  with  tuberculous  spu- 
tum. Flies  which  had  been  in  contact  with  this  mixture 
were  permitted  to  walk  across  the  surface  of  sterlized  po- 
tatoes. In  forty-eight  hours  numerous  colonies  of  the  ba- 
cillus prodigiosus  were  visible. 

From  these  results  we  may  reasonably  conclude  that 
flies  are  a  con^>tant  source  of  infection.—  Modern  Medicine. 

Infectious  Character  of  the  Feces  of  Tuberculous 
Cattle.- -Scientific  research  is  constantly  bringing  to  light 
new  methods  by  which  tubercle  bacilli  are  communicated 
to  human  beings.  The  Bulletin  Medical  recently  published 
a  report  of  a  series  of  experiments  conducted  for  the  pur- 
pose of  determining  whether  these  bacilli  are  to  fte  found 
alive  in  the  excreta  of  cattle.     A  young  bullock  was  fed  a 


Digitized  by 


Google 


104  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [March 

meal  consisting  of  bread  and  a  portion  of  a  tuberculous 
lung-.  During  the  three  days  following,  portions  of  fecal 
matter  were  collected  and  investigated,  both  by  the  injec- 
tion of  animals  and  microscopical  examination.  Bacilli 
were  constantly  found  in  the  feces,  and  out  of  fifteen  rab- 
bits inoculated,  twelve  became  tuberculous,  showing  that 
the  fecal  matters  of  tuberculous  cattle  are  as  infectious  in 
character  as  the  sputum  of  persons  suflFering  from  this 
disease. 

Rapid  Isolation  of  Bacillus  Coli  Communis. — Abba  gi  ves 
a  new  method  for  **rapid  and  certain  isolation  of  bacillus 
coli  communis  from  water.''  He  prepares  the  following 
culture  medium:  Lactose,  20  g.;  dry  peptone,  100  g.;  sod- 
ium chloride,  50  g.,  and  water,  1  liter.  This  may  be  solidi- 
fied by  the  addition  of  gelatin.  Into  a  liter  of  suspected 
water  is  placed  100  c.  cm.  of  the  previously  sterilized  cul- 
ture medium;  to  this  is  added  0.5  c.cm,  of  a  one  per  cent 
alcoholic  solution  of  phenol-phthalim,  and  afterward  a  cold 
saturated  solution  of  sodium  carbonate  (usually  2  to  3  c, 
cm.  suffice)  until  the  water  becomes  of  a  permanently 
pink  color.  This  water  is  placed  in  five  or  six  Erlen- 
meyer's  flasks,  and  incubated  at  37  per  cent  C.  At  the 
same  time  an  agar  plate  is  poured,  and  is  placed  in  the  in- 
cubator alongwith  the  Erlenmeyer's  flasks.  If  bacillus  coli 
were  present  in  the  water,  after  twelve,  sixteen,  or  twenty- 
four  hours  one  or  several  or  all  of  the  flasks  will  then  com- 
plete decolorization  of  the  contents.  The  agar  plate  is 
inoculated  from  the  surface  of  one  of  the  colorless  fluids; 
this  is  again  incubated,  and  in  from  eight  to  twelve  hours 
or  less  a  number  of  colonies  will  be  visible  on  the  surface 
of  the  agar.  These  colonies  are  examined  under  the  mic- 
roscope, and  cultures  made  from  the  ones  which  most  re- 
semble those  of  the  bacillus  coli.  Under  these  conditions 
the  bacillus  coli  rapidly  gains  the  upper  hand  over  most  of 
the  other  micro-organisms  present  in  the  water.  The 
colonies  oy  the  agar  plates  are  usually  composed  of  bacil- 
lus coli  alone,  and  the  first  examination  leads  to  their  de- 
tection, if  present. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  105 

Excretion  of  Micro-organisms. — Biedl  and  R.  Kraqs. 
have  previously  shown  that  micro-orgfanisms  present  in 
the  blood  are  excreted  by  normal  kidneys,  the  urine  being- 
free  from  albumin  or  blood.  These  investigators  now 
record  their  experiments  on  the  excretion  of  micro-organ- 
isms by  the  glandular  organs.  By  injecting  of  staphylo- 
coccus into  the  blood,  they  have  investigated  the  function 
of  the  liver  and  submaxillary  gland  in  this  respect.  They 
found  negative  results  in  two  of  the  first  four  experiments 
where  the  gall-bladder  was  opened  immediately  after  death, 
the  precautions  being  used.  In  another  series  of  experi- 
ments the  bile  was  inoculated  directly  into  nutrient  media, 
a  canula  having  been  placed  in  the  bile  passages.  In  case 
of  the  submaxillary  gland  a  canula  was  placed  inthe  duct, 
and  the  same  method  followed.  In  all  these  cases  the  staphy- 
lococcus was  obtained  from  the  bile,  but  the  results  were 
negative  in  all  cases  where  the  submaxillary  secretion  was 
investigated.  The  micro-organisms  were  shown  to  be 
continuously  excreted  in  the  bile  during  one  and  a  half  to 
two  hours,  while  the  experiment  lasted.  From  these  ex- 
periments these  investigators  conclude  that  as  in  the  case 
of  the  kidneys  the  excretion  of  micro-organisms  is  a  nor- 
mal function  of  the  liver. 


VEDICAL  MICBOSGOPT. 


On  the  Action  of  Antitoxin. — Dr.  P.  Ehrlich  states 
that  by  the  original  conception  of  the  destruction  of  poi- 
sons through  the  anti-bodies  it  was  considered  untenable 
that  in  physiologically  neutral  toxin-antitoxin  mixtures 
both  compounds  still  existed  as  such,  but  now  two  oppo- 
site opinions  are  prominent. 

According  to  one  view,  poison  and  antidote  exist  in  the 
liquids  of  the  tissues  as  a  kind  of  copulative  double  com- 
pound, which  is  of  course  inactive  in  effect.  In  opposition 
to  this  chemical  view  it  has  been  held  by  many,  especially 
Roux  and  Buchner,  that  the  action  of  the  antitoxins  is 
more  indirect.  They  act  on  the  cells,  and  theseto  a  certain 


Digitized  by 


Google 


106  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [March 

extent  become  immunized  against  the  action  of  the  poison. 
Having"  in  view  the  complications  which  arise  in  experi- 
ments on  animals,  and  with  a  view  to  substituting  as  far 
as  possible  the  reagent  glass  forthe  animal  organism,  Ehr- 
lich  has  experimented  with  ricin,  a  vegetable  tox-albumen, 
concerning  which,  he  says,  there  is  no  doubt  that  in  its 
principal  features,  immunity  to  it  is  similar  to  immunity 
to  diptheria  and  tetanus.  Ricin  possesses  the  property  of 
coagulating  the  blood.  The  blood  of  a  rabbit  treated  with 
a  series  of  mixtures  of  ricin  in  varying  porportions,  was 
injected  into  six  mice.  In  those  cases  where  the  mixture 
gave  a  precipitate  with  blood  the  animals  died;  in  one 
case,  where  the  precipitate  was  very  slight,  the  result  was 
not  fatal;  in  the  three  cases  where  the  antitoxin  was  (ac- 
cording to  the  blood  test)  present  insufficient  or  excessive 
quantity  to  neutralize  the  toxin,  the  animal  was  unharmed. 
These  facts  militate  against  the  cellular  theory  of  Roux 
and  Buchner,  and  tend  to  confirm  the  chemical  copulative 
theory  of  Ehrlich  and  Behring,  at  any  rate  so  far  as  ricin 
(castor-oil )  is  concerned.-  B.  C.  Druggist. 

The  Function  of  the  Suprarenal  Bodies. — Dubois  has 
shown  that  the  principal  function  of  the  suprarenal  bodies 
is  to  destroy  toxins  present  in  the  circulation,  especially 
those  resulting  from  muscular  and  nervous  activity.  The 
glands  contain  a  peculiar  ferment  which  is  capable  of  mod- 
ifying organic  poisons  developed  by  the  tissues  or  of  bac- 
terial origin.  A  considerable  quantity  of  poisonous  liquids 
is  found  in  the  glands. 

Scarlet  Fever  by  Mail.- (irasset,  on  investigating  the 
source  of  infection  in  an  instance  in  which  a  child  was  at- 
tacked by  scarlet  fever  in  a  place  where  there  had  been  no 
case  of  the  disease  for  years,  found  that,  six  days  before 
the  child  was  taken  sick,  the  parents  had  received  a  letter 
from  its  grand-parents  stating  that  another  child  in  the 
family  had  had  the  disease  and  was  peeling.  Two  flakes  of 
the  convalescent's  skin  were  enclosed  in  the  letter.  The 
parents  had  allowed  the  child  to  play  with  the  letter. — An- 
nales  d'Hygiene  Publique. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


I8»7j  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  107 

Physicians  can  Testify  as  to  Stains. — After  an  examin- 
ation thereof,  both  under  a  microscope  and  by  a  chemical 
analysis,  the  supreme  court  of  South  Carolina  holds,  in  the 
homicide  case  of  State  v.  Martin,  decided  July  11,  18%, 
that  physicians  are  clearly  entitled  as  experts  to  g-ive  their 
opinion  as  to  the  character  of  stains  found  on  a  piece  of 
floor  ^Jour.  A,  M.  A.).  That  the  latter  was  not  taken  from 
the  house  in  which  the  defendant  lived  at  the  time  of  the 
alleg-ed  homicide  until  a  few  days  before  the  trial,  after 
the  defendant  had  moved  from  it,  and  while  it  was  occu- 
pied by  another  person,  it  is  further  held  did  not  render  it 
inadmissible  in  evidence,  thougfh  the  force  of  the  evidence 
was  perhaps  weakened  by  these  circumstances. 


BIOLOGICAL  NOTES. 


Rhizopods  as  Scavengers. — It  is  interesting- to  see  what 
a  small  animal  can  do  as  a  scavenger.  Mr.  Thomas  Craig, 
at  a  meeting  of  the  Natural  Science  Association  of  Staten 
Island,  exhibited  a  bottle,  the  inside  of  which  had  been 
covered  with  alga?  and  a  small  diatom  to  such  an  extent  as 
to  make  it  practically  opaque.  Upon  examination  he  not- 
iced that  a  portion  near  the  bottom  was  clear.  A  further 
examination  showed  that  an  army  of  rhizopods  were  march- 
ing in  regular  order,  eating  as  they  went. 

The  name  of  the  animal  is  Centropyxis  aculeata,  (me  of 
the  lobose  rhizopods.  The  animal  itself  is  only  a  drop  of 
jelly,  in  which  the  highest  powers  of  the  microscope  re- 
veal no  orgfanization  of  any  kind,  yet  it  can  travel  by  means 
of  pseudopodia,  whieh  are  merely  parts  of  the  body  pro- 
truded from  any  part  of  it.  By  the  same  means  it  can 
sieze  its  food,  convey  it  inside  its  body  and  then  digest  it, 
and  when  all  the  nutriment  is  exhausted  cast  the  refuse 
out.  This  it  does  at  any  part  of  the  mass  as  it  has  neither 
head  nor  tail. 

This  particular  animal  builds  a  shell  for  itself,  com- 
posed of  a  material  like  chitin,  and  grains  of  sand  on  the 
empty  shell  of  diatoms.     The  chitin  is  produced   by  the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


108  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [March 

animal  and  is  used  to  cement  grains  of  sand  and  other  ma- 
terial into  the  proper  form  of  house  for  this  particular 
species, 

Kach  species  has  its  own  form  of  habitation  and  it  is 
rare  to  find  them  departing-  from  it.  The  animal  is  well 
illustrated  in  Leidy's  Rhizopods. 

MICROSCOPICAL  NOTES. 


Meeting  of  American  Medical  Publishers'  Association. 
-The  Fourth  Annual  Meeting- of  the  American  Medical 
Publishers'  Association  will  be  held  in  Philadelphia,  on 
Monday,  May  3lst,  1897  (the  day  preceding- the  meeting- of 
the  American  Medical  Association ).  Editors  and  publish- 
ers, as  well  as  everyone  interested  in  Medical  Journalism, 
cordially  invited  to  attend,  and  participate  in  the  delibera- 
tions. Sevveral  very  excellent  papers  are  already  assured, 
but  more  are  desired.  In  order  to  secure  a  place  on  the 
program,  contributors,  should  send  titles  of  their  papers 
at  once  to  the  Secretary,  Chas.  Wood  Fassett,  St.  Joseph, 
Mo.  _J 

NEW  PUBLICATIONS. 


Bacteria  in  Rocks. — M.  B.  Renault  has  long-  worked  at 
the  indications  of  bacteria  found  in  geological  strata,  and 
now  publishes  the  general  result  of  his  observations  in  a 
paper  illustrated  with  a  large  number  of  drawings.  As 
might  be  expected  from  their  simple  structure,  bacteria 
appear  to  have  been  coeval  with  the  first  appearance  of 
organic  life  on  the  earth,  the  coccoid  form  being  appar- 
ently earlier  than  the  bacillar.  Indications  of  their  pres- 
ence are  found  in  bone,  teeth,  scales  and  coprolites,  as  well 
as  abundantly  in  vegetable  tissues,  the  spores  and  spor- 
anges  of  ferns  appearing  to  have  been  especially  subject 
to  their  attacks.  The  species  are,  as  a  rule,  distinct  from 
those  at  present  in  existence.-Ann.  des  Sciences  Nat- 
urelles. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


A  NEW  EDITION  OF 

iA£.  ifl£KTSON  St  SONS' 

Illustrated  Catalogue  of  Mwroscopes,  Objeotivea^ 
and  Aecessaries. 

In  it  will  be  found  fUUjr  descrilM  M  the  latest  improvements  and  designs 
of  the  Watson  Instruments,  also  many  new  kinds  of  accessories  including  the 
following-: 

A  SERIES  OF  NEW  PARACHJROMATIC 

WJCROSCOPIC   OBJECTIVES. 

Th€4M9  Ivenses  will  be  found  to  possess  large  apertures,  to  be  of  uniform  qic^il- 
ity.  and  to  )>«  as  low  iu  price  as  any  Objectives  in  the  market  They  are 
coustmcied  almost  entirely  of  Jena  Glass. 

Th6  following  i^pB  selected  from  the  Series 


POWER.           N.  A. 

i'KlCE. 

POWER. 

N.  A. 

PKICK 

1-2  inch            0.34 

i:l.2.6 

^in. 

0.28 

£1.6.0 

1-4  inch            0.68 

1.5.0 

1-6  in. 

0.87 

,1.10.0 

l-8fndi            0.88 

2.0.0 

1-0  in. 

0.90 

.5.0 

Homogeneous  Immeision. 

1-8  inch           1-20 

4.15.0 

1-12  in. 

1.25 

5.0.0  , 

W.  WATSON  &  SONS' 

New  "  PARACSROHATIC:'  Stibstagfe  Cond€>iser^ 

This  condenser  has  a  total  aperture  of  1.0' N.  A ^  baraiY  extremely  -laige ' 
Aplaoatic  Aperture,  exceeding  ,90  N.  A.    Its,  power  is  2-7  ii\t'b,  and.  with^. 
the  front  lens^removedy  4.10  inch.     It  is  mounted  with  lx\»,  I>1aphii^n^^i)<| 
revolving  carrier  for  stops  tor  dark  ground  and  obliqueiUum illation..    The 
[risDiaphmgm  is  di Tided  so  as  to  tndieate  the  N:  A.  at  rhirh  Ihcirondeiiier 
i s  employed .    The  diameter  of  thet  baok  lens  is  5-8^  inch « 

PRICE  COMPLETE   ^£3.15. 

APLANTIC  MAGNrFTERS 

Inadditiou  to  W.  Watson  &  Sons'  well-known  regular  series  they  are 
working  Mr.  E.  Mr  ^elson^  newforrra,  magnifying  15  diameters, -which  gives 
great  working  distance  aud  large  apertnre. '  It  Is  believed  to  be  unequalled 
bj  any  similar.  leBSvfor  (^oadities. 

PRICE — iu  German  silver  mount,  pocket  form  15.6. 
For  diisettfiug.  in  wooden  box  14.6. 

The  above  catalogue- will  be  mailed  poat-^freeonapplicatioiit 
MICROSCOPIC  OBJECaS. 

Watsoo  &  Sons  bold  a  stock  of  ^,000  speeimeiti  all  of  the  bigfacat  cla8flu> 
forming  nudoabtedly  the  finest  ool^eetion  in  the  world.  Full  classified  4iati' 
forward  post-free  on  application  to 

iA£,  W.73CTSON  5^  SONS 

(ESTABLISHED  1837) 

OPTICIANS  TO  H.  M.  GOVERNMENT. . 

313  High   Holbom,  London,  W.  C;  and  78  Swanston  Street,    Melbourne, 

Austraim* 
Awarded  38  Gold  and  other  medals  at  Intemational^Exhibitions  including 
5  Highest  Awards  at  the  World's  Fair,  Chicago,  1893.    2  Gold  Medals,  Paris 
Universal  Exhibition  1889  &c.  &c, 
NOTE— The  postage  on  letters  to  England  is  5  cents,  or  postal  cards  2  cento. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


CARL  REICHERT 
MICROSCOPES. 

SOLE  A&EKTS  FOR  OKITED  STATES. 

xWCHAJlDS  >&  CO.^  I«TD.., 

NEW  YORK,  CHICAGO, 

'  41  -Barc)ar<  S&ttt.      108  Lake  Street. 

Microscopic  Freparatioiii!  DlnstratiiKi  tlie  HioDte  Stmctiirii 
of  Vtetalle  Life. 

Being  enclosed  in  a  novel  transparent  envelope,  these  objects  may 
be  examined  without  removal  heifore  mounting.   .They  are  .  prepared 
(}witlL'tbe>utmo6t£are.  by.  *Wax;C£K  Whits,  Bngtand^  and  are^  mostly 
stained  in  one  or  two  colors  of  the  most  permanent  character. 

A  friend  says :  The  sample  section  is  exquisite.  It  is  so .  good 
CAbat  I>vicnt<!flS0re.  iAs  a  iitellMSut  and.  welVstain^d  section-  it  is 
equal  to  anything  I  have  seen  in  that  line. 

PRICES. 

Catalogue  of  172  objects,  -  -  I0.02 

Single  specimens,      -  -  -  -  -  .08 

20  specimens,  assorted,  ...  i.oo 

€HiAd.  W.SBIICKT;  Washingrton,  T>.  C. 


SWEDENBORG 

is  not  only  a  theologian  ;  he  is  a  scientist  and  a  scientific  writer, 
whose  keenly  philosophical  analysis  of  phenomena  is  helpful  to 
every  scientific  student.    Send  for  catalog^ues  or  answers  to  questions, 
Address 

ADOLPH  ROEDER, 

VinelaHd,  N.  J. 

FOR  SA.LE.— A  set  of  slides  Ulustroting  the  Woody  Plants  of  Dlioois, 
96  Qflima.  H.  F,  IfUNROE,  ^21  Jackson  SouleyajDdU  OhicagQ,  m. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Special 
AQDOuQcement 


D" 


-IN- 


MICROSCOPY. 


from  lif»,  BMlM  pUin  all  4€to0«. 
IndnstreSiibMiipttoii,  •6.S5,po8t-^« 

The  foUowidi  v  mdooc  the  SUdet  incloded  la 


1.  OoloayoftheloTalyBAdiokriMi^iAjBro- 

n.  •howing  pwMicle  alga.  40p 

-    -  ophyte  C-  - 


t.  TheloTely  Zoopj 


iOhdia,poljVBtanj 


JjnUXQ  the  leet  few  montht 

I  here  been  baty  prepertng 

nutny  rare  and  novel  okdeeti 

for  Microaoopical    purpoeee,  and 

baTe'mrraaged  thein  ae  nnder  W- 

The  ftrtt  «r  tteee  to  ^m«Q« 
croacoplipAl  Stadies  In  Ma- 
rine Zoology. 

The  aeooDd  Serlee  (tIs.:  that 
fbr  1896)  ooDeista  of  14  aplendid 
^reparatiooa,  all  of  the  bigheet 
poMf  hie  excellence  tnd  coaranteed 
.permanent.  The^  14  didei  appear 
in  qoarterly  inetaltmenta,  and  are 
.accoBpanled  by  oTer  100  pnge* 
of  dMoriittlTO  letterpress, 
dealhif  in  pleasant  bat  exact  man- 
ner with  the  anatomy,  life^hieto  y 
and  babita  of  the  reepeottri'  huI> 
Jecte,  while  1 2  ftill-page  platen 
of  photo-engraTUigs,  drawn 

Full  woepectna  on  application. 

e.  LoTely  SxDsnded  Zoophyte  Sartnfaria     50c 

7.  OpMttm-ehrlmp  Jfyac,  allowing  audi- 
tory  organ  in  tail  38c 

8.  The  aplendiil  rare  organ-pipe  PoIysooB, 
Lickenopora  40e 

9.  Kntire  larral  Plaloe,  eye  juat  turning 
fhMDbUsd  aide  and  6  other  equally 
fine  didea.  60c 

The  prices  agalnat  each  are  thoae  at  which  the  preparations  are  aold  aeparately,  abow- 
ing  what  a  cheap  lot  I  offer  in  aeriea  at  16.26,  poat  tr—.  A  few  aeta  of  Setiea  1  atttl  aTailable. 
16.26,  post  f^.    flahtptoSUde;  600.,  poat  f^. 

Prof.  J.  B.  Alnaworth  DaTis,  UniTenity  Oullege,  Aberyatwith.  writea:  ** Allow  me  to 
congratulate  you  on  the  very  uaefbl  work  you  are  doing  by  the  publication  of  Journal,  with 
aeoompanyingslidea,  which  are  most  AmnmASLi: 

Superb  mioroocopical  preparationa  of  BrasiUan  I«lanas.— I  hsTe 
been  unfortonaU  in  obtaining  a  quanti^  of  these  auperb  stems  ths 
moat  toTsly  in  the  whole  plant  kingdomn  and  have  artaaged  theta 
in  two  seta  of  6  each,  at  the  price  eftl.3S  per  set,  or  $2.26  for  the 
two.  The  moat  exquiaitely  charming  alidea  that'oould  possibly  be 
imagined  for  exhibinon  at  popular  gatherings.  As  the  quantity  is 
— ^-~-~— ^— ^^-^—     Tery  limited.  I  am  unable  to  sell  single  dides. 

MIorosoopieal  Stndles  in  Botany.— In  answer  to  many  requests,  I  hsTe  ar- 
ransed  20  magnifloent  preparations  in  a  sseies  en  simMmr  lines  to  that  In  marine«anlogy  de- 
scribed above. 

The  flrat  series  is  now  begun  and  dompnses  20  nighest-class  slides  (such  as  aell  singly 
at  26o  to  36c  each),  iUuslrated  by  dessriptive  tetteiprcas  and  30  speetaUy  beeutlfttt  photo-mlcro- 
grapha  of  the  sections. 

SubacriptionB,  16.25  only,  for  all,  a  sum  which  would  be  cheap  for  the  series  of  iUus* 
trattonsalone* 

Prof.  J.W.Oarr.  UnlTerrity  CoUeg^  Nottfngh«m>  writes :  "Tovnr  Botanical  BUdes 
are  the  most  beautlftal  I  have  ever  seen.  The  following  are  among  the  slides  already  issusd  ia 
above  lines : 


expanded. 

3.  Stalked  stage   of   the  larva    of    Bosy 

Veather  Star  (anisdon) 

4.  An  entire  8ea>BntteiSv  fPisrvpod). 
6.  Lovely  expanded  2o6|diyte  ^meoryn*. 


S6o 

400 
40c 
40e 


aeoompanyingslidea,  which 

Botany. 


1.  Tr.  aec.  flower-bud  of  Lily  26c 

2.  **    "  do       of  Dandelion  30o 

3.  LongH  sec    do       of       do  26c 

4.  do  fhiit    of  Fig  30c 


5.  Tr.  sec.  friiit  of  Date  (splendid) 
6     **    **   tomw  of  S»eh$ohoUma 

7.  LongU.  sec.  double  flower  of  Peony 

8.  Leaf-fell  of  Sycamore 


36c 

aoe 

26c 

25c 


I  guarantee  the  perfection  of  all  my  mounts  and  will  be  pleased  to  aend 
selections  on  approval  to  approved  correspondents. 


so  on.    Large  parcel 
Speoialltar.     ~ 


A  great  range  of  Miscellaneous  SSodogipal  and  Botanical  slides  ia  stodk 
at  prices  from  91.30  per  dozen. 

Cost  of  Mailing,    i  slide,  xo  cents  ;  3  slides,  15  cents;   3  slides,   accents  and 
^parcels  by  express  at  very  cheap  rates. 

tar.  Marine  iSoology  (especially  in  expanded  Zoophytes  and   larval 
stages,  and  plant  and  flower  anatomy. 

T9VBkM,  Remittance  by  P.  O.  O.,  draft  on  London,  or  U.  S.  paper  currency,  the 
former  preferred.  If  wished,  Mr.  C.  W.  Smiley.  Washington.  D.  ''.  will  hold  the 
amount  till  order  is  satisfactorily  executed.  Mr.  Smiley  has  kindly  promised  to 
vouch  for  the  excellency  of  the  slides  and  will  give  references  to  U.  S.  Microacop* 
ists  who  have  been  well  satisfied  with  my  preparations. 

JAMES  HORNELL, 


Biological  Station,  Jersey,  Bngland. 


Specialist  in  Microscopioal  Mounting. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


109 
118 
124 
126 

128 
128 
128 

128 

129 
131 
131 

133 

133 
134 
134 

135 
136 
136 
137 

138 
138 
140 


Digitized  by 


Google 


JUL    8      I30f 


Digitized  by 


Google 


>- 

Q 


CO 

X 


CO 

(J 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE    AMERICAN 

MONTHLY 

MICROSCOPICAL    JOURNAL. 


VOL.  XVIII.  APRIL.  1897.  No.  4 

Notes  on  Some  New,  or  Presumably  New,  Infusoria.— I. 

By  J.-"C.  smith,  of 

NEW  ORLEANS,  I, A. 
IWITH  FRONTISPIECE  ! 

The  classification  followed  in  this  paper  is  that  adopted 
by  Saville  Kent  in  his  '^Manual  of  the  Infusoria." 
Family. — Actinomonadida^.  S.  K. 
Genus. — Actinomonas.  S.  K. 
Species. —Actinomonas  primus  (figs.  1,  2,  and  3). 
Body  inactive  flagellate  stage  cylindrical,  variable  in 
form,  usually  obovate  with  the  posterior  continued  as  a 
caudal  prolongation,  sometimes  ovate  and  at  other  times 
irregular  in  shape  and  nodulate;  the  largest  and  usual 
obovate  form  about  twice  as  long  as  wide;  flagellum  sin- 
gle   anterior,    equalling    one    longest    body    length    and 
vibratile   through    its    whole   extent;  contractile    vesich^ 
conspicuous  and  located  in  posterior  body  half;  nucleus 
round  and^ubcentral;  endoplasm  hyaline  containing  to  a 
greater  or  lesser  extent,  a  number  of   bead-like  granules 
of  a  blueish  tint,    presumably    food;  locomotion  equable, 
fairly  rapid  and  by  revolution  on  long  axis. 

Size  1-1250  inch.  Habitat — Infusion  of  aquatic  plants. 
Body  in  Heliozoan  stage  variable  in  form,  usually  sub- 
globose  and  undergoing  slight  changes  of  contour;  rays 
numerous,  fine  and  projected  from  all  parts  of  the 
periphery;  equalling  in  length  from  one  to  two  diameters 
of  the  zooid;  flagellum  quiescent  and  coiled  close  to  the 
bod  jr. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


110  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [April 

Thi8  remarkable  form  was  found  very  abundant  and 
was  given  prolonged  study.  In  the  active  flagellate 
stage  it  moved  about  in  an  easy  manner,  revolving  on  its 
long  axis;  the  flagellum  being  thrown  into  graceful 
curves  from  its  origin  to  its  distal  end.  After  moving 
about  for  an  hour,  more  or  less,  the  coming  change  to  the 
heliozoan  stage  was  ushered  in  by  a  slower  movement, 
an  occassional  halt,  slight  tremors  and  the  appearance 
on  the  anterior  body  half  of  short,  heavy  and  blunt  ten- 
tacle-like processes,  with  a  simultaneous  contraction  of 
the  body. 

If  the  endoplasm  was  well  filled  with  the  granules  men- 
tioned, the  body  would  be  modulated.  The  rays  then 
extended  until  as  long  as  one  or  two  of  its  diameters; 
the  tentacle-like  processes  covering  the  anterior  half, 
going  to  form  the  anterior  rays;  the  flagellum  becomes 
inactive  and  is  coiled  close  to  the  body.  In  this  state  it 
resembled  very  much  a  light  colored  Heterophry  Leidy, 
changing  its  contour  gradually  and  almost  impercept- 
ably,  but  never  to  any  great  extent. 

The  change  from  the  heliozoan  to  the  flagellate  stage 
is  heralded  by  the  gradual  withdrawal  of  the  rays,  the 
flagellum  uncoiling  and  having  a  slight  movement,  a  few 
slight  quivers  of  the  body  and  simultaneous  elongation 
to  the  original  shape  of  the  flagellate;  the  flagellum  be- 
comes very  active  at  once  and  the  infusorian  darts  oflF  to 
live  for  an  hour  or  so  in  this  phase.  Sometimes  the 
original  form  is  not  restored  entirely  until  it  has  moved 
about  for  a  h.hort  while,  but  in  all  cases  observed  the 
original  shape  was  finally  assumed. 

Each  one  of  the  phases  of  this  dual  life,  as  witnessed 
by  the  writer  occu{)ied  from  fifteen  minutes  to  one  and  a 
half  hours. 

While  in  the  heliozoan  stage  the  manner  of  capturing 
and  engulphing  food  is  identically  the  same  as  when  per- 
formed by  the  Actinophry  sol.     One  form  that    ^as  un- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897  !  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  Ill 

'  er  ohservHtion  for  four  hours  underwent  five  changes 
and  durifi^  the  heliozoan  phase  captured  and  en^ulfdied 
six  large  forms  of  Hexamila  inflata  (which  were  abund- 
ant), three  forms  of  Cerconionas  longicauda  and  two  forms 
of  lleteromita  lens.  From  this  and  a  number  of  similar 
observations  the  writer  feels  justified  in  concluding  that 
this  infuBorian  is  truly  carnivorous. 

Larger  infusoria  and  those  of  greater  consistency 
when  in  contaet  with  the  rays  were  visibly  affected;  they 
seemed  to  experience  a  shock,  changed  their  routes  and 
NJHckeued  their  pace.  A  number  of  large  forms  of  the 
very  active  Treporaonas  agilis  were  often  found  among 
the  rays  and  were  not  affected  in  the  slightest  manner. 
Defecation  was  observed  during  both  stages,  btit  the  flag- 
ellate form  was  never  seen  to  take  food. 

During  the  heliozoan  stage  this  form  has  no  locomotive 
movement  and  is  not  anchored  in  any  way;  this  last  as- 
sertion is  clearly  demonstrated  by  its  being  at  the  merey 
of  every  current  produced  by  a  passing  infusorian,  worm 
or  rotifer. 

Saville  Kent,  in  his  manual  of  the  Infusoria,  mentions 
an  observation  of  his  wherein  he  witnessed  the  develop- 
ment of  an  Actinophry  from  a  flagellate  zoospore.  In 
his  figure  of  the  zoospore  the  contractile  vesicle  is  placed 
iu  the  posterior  half,  and  in  his  figure  of  the  Actinophry 
the  nucleus  is  central.  The  position  of  these  two  essen- 
tials corresponds  with  the  form  here  described.  It  may 
he  presumptuous,  but  the  writer  cannot  help  but  incline 
to  the  belief  that  if  the  Actinophry  had  been  given  a  pro- 
longed study  it  uiight  have  reverted  to  its  original  flag- 
ellate state  and  thus  have  rendered  this  record  of  a  new 
form  unnecessary. 

Family. — Heteromitid».     S.  K. 
Genus. — Heteromita.     Dujardin. 
Species. — Heteromita  ligulata  (fig.  4) 
Body  ovale,  cylindrical;  one    and  a  half   to  two    times 


Digitized  by 


Google 


112 


THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY 


[April 


as  long  as  wide  ;  plastic  and  changeable  in  shage  ;  ven- 
trum  slightly  concave  anteriorly  ;  flagella  originating 
together  at  the  anterior  extremity,  the  anterior  vibratile 
flagellurn  nearly  one  half  the  body  length  ;  this  flageilum 
is  heavy  strap-like  and  of  uniform  thickness  from  its  ori- 
gin to  its  distal  end ;  the  trailing  flageilum  from  two  to 
two  and  a  half  times  the  body  length  ;  contractile  vesicle 


.^^^7^-     ^^>-«^ 


1 . — ActinomoDiiH  primus,    x  90U. 

•_'.  -  \' f'tioiiM  an  iutermediatebt  '  , 

A. —  Nitinomonaw.     HpHokokd  |>1i  i.  . 

4.— Ueteromiui  liguUU.    x  llOu. 

5. — PeUlomoDM  pusilU.    x  2250. 

0.— Atractonema  ftuiformia.    x  1750. 

7. — Diplomastix  rcwtrum.    x  1400. 

A.— Diplomastix  agilis.    x  120(J. 

9. — Diplomastix  Iatei\>< ventral  view. 
10.— Anitonema  disomato.    x  1'250. 
11. — Anisonenia.    Traniverse  sectioD. 


conspicuous  and  situated  close  to  the  anterior  extremity; 
nucleus  round  and  located  in  the  posterior  body  half; 
endoplasm,  hyaline  and  slightly  granular;  locomotion 
slow  and  equable  while  the  anterior  strap-like  flageilum 
is  constantly  and  rapidly  wagged.  Size  from  1-5000  to 
1-3000  inch. 

Habitat — Ubiquitous.     Transverse  fission. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


189.7]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  113 

This  infusorian  has  been  found  by  the  writer  in  all 
kinds  of  water,  fresh  and  stale,  in  animal  and  vegetable 
macerations;  sometimes  in  great  abundance.  The  an- 
terior ilagellum  is  heavy  and  strap-like,  and  is  dijffer- 
ent  from  any  appendage  found  on  any  of  the  flagellata, 
80  far  recorded.  The  movements  of  this  flagellum  are 
more  like  the  wagging  of  the  tail  of  a  pleased  dog  than 
the  ordinary  vibatile  movements. 

At  times  this  flagellum  is  bent  backwards  on  either  the 
dorsum  or  ventrum  and  no  matter  how  rapid  the  move- 
ments are  it  does  not  in  the  least  seem  to  accelerate  the 
even  gliding  movements  of  the  body.  While  the  writer 
has  observed  a  perceptible  increase  of  the  granules  of 
food  in  the  endoplasm,  he  has  never  been  able  to  detect 
the  inception  of  such  food,  but  he  has  a  strong  presump- 
tion that  such  inception  takes  place  in  the  slight  concav- 
ity existing  just  behind  the  origin  of  the  flagella  on  the 
ventral  surface. 

Family. — Paramonadid».     S.  K. 

Genus. — Petatomonas.     Stien. 

Species. — Petalomonas  pusilla  (fig.  5). 
Body  subovate,  twice  as  long  as  wide ;  flattened  and 
without  a  furrow  or  ridge ;  Anterior  slightly  narrower 
than  the  posterior ;  both  extremities  rounded;  sinistral 
border  of  greater  convexity  than  dextral  border;  flagellum 
equalling  a  little  more  than  one  body  length  and  directed 
forwards,  in  a  straight  line  and  stiff"  manner,  the  distal 
end  vibratile;  contractile  vesicle  conspicuous  and  located 
well  forwards  in  the  anterior  body  half  and  near  to  the 
sinistral  border;  nucleus  round  and  situated,  medianly, 
in  the  posterior  body  half;  Endoplasm,  hyaline  and 
slightly  granular  posteriorly  ;  locomotion  same  as  all 
the  species  ;  Size  1-3000  inch.  Habitat — stale  infusion  of 
aquatic  plants. 

This  form  is  evidently  the  smallest  of  the  genus  so  far 
recorded.     Kent  in  his  *'  Manual  of  the  Infusoria''  men- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


114  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [April 

tions  a  form — Petalomonas  irregularis,  observed  by  him- 
self, which  although  being  a  bit  larger  than  this  one, 
bears  a  close  resembhmce.  He  failed  to  locate  the  con- 
tractile vesicle  and  the  nucleus  and  in  consequence  leaves 
a  doubt  as  to  whether  his  Petaloraonas  irregularis  is  the 
same  as  this  form.  This  infusorian  is  dissimilar  from 
any  other  of  the  species  so  far  recorded,  in  being  devoid 
of  a  ridge  and  of  a  furrow.  When  first  observed,  the 
writer  was  inclined  to  place  it  among  the  genus  Para 
mouas,  but  on  closer  examination  it  was  found  to  conform 
in  every  detail  of  habit  with  the  genus  in  which  it  is 
placed. 

Family. — Paramonadidae.     S.  K. 

Genus. — Atractonema.     Stien. 

Species. — Atractonema  fusiformis  (fig.  6). 
Body  fusiform,  cylindrical,  more  than  twice  as  long  as 
wide  ;  widest  at  the  center  and  attenuate  at  both  ex- 
tremities; the  anterior  transversly  truncate;  posterior 
obtusely  pointed  and  at  times  produced  in  a  nipple-like 
process ;  pharynx  distinct  and  extending  backwards, 
meeting  the  contractile  vesicle,  which  is  conspicuous  and 
centrally  placed;  ttagellum  more  than  one  body  lengih; 
nucleus  round  and  medianly  placed  in  posterior  body 
half;  endoplasm  hyaline  and  slightly  granular;  locomo- 
tion slow  and  even.  Size  1-1400  inch.  Habitat — Pon*l 
water  with  algae. 

The  small  size  and  the  ratio  of  width  to  length  are  all 
that  make  this  form  ditFerent  from  Atractonema  teres. 
Stien. 

Family. — Anisonemidse.     S.  K. 

Genus. — Diplomastix.     S.  K. 

Species. — Diplomastix  rostrum  (fig.  7). 

Body  elliptical,  cylindrical    and  variable  in  size  ;  from 

one  and  a  half  to  three  times  as  long  as  wide;  anterior 

truncate   obliquely   to   ventrum  ;    this   truncation   being 

slightly  concave  and  producing  the  anterior  into  almost 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  116 

a  point  ;  posterior  evenly  rpunded ;  oval  aperture  incon- 
tspicuous  but  very  capacious,  situated  in  the  truncation ; 
flag^ella  originating  together  at  the  apex ;  the  anterior 
one  equalling  one-half  the  body  length  and  the  posterior 
one  twice  the  body  length,  and  much  heavier ;  contrac- 
tile vesicle  large,  very  conspicuous  and  located  well  up 
in  the  anterior  body  half;  nucleus  round  and  in  posterior 
body  half';  endoplasm  intrinsically  clear  and  of  a  blueish 
tint,  but  generally  filled  with  large  food  grains;  locomo- 
tion exceedingly  rapid  and  by  revolution  on  long  axis. 
Size  from  1-2600  to  1-1100  inch.  Habitat— Putrid  vege- 
table macerations.     Transverse  fission. 

The  movements  of  this  infusorian  are  so  rapid  that  a 
view  of  the  flagella  is  made  very  diflicult;  especially  is 
this  so  in  respect  to  the  anterior  shorter  one.  At  times 
the  posterior  longer  flagellum  is  twined  about  the  body. 
The  oval  aperture  would  never  be  suspected  to  exist  if 
the  infusorian  was  found  feeding  on  bacteria ;  it  is  only 
when  seen  engulphing  or  attempting  to  engulph  large 
particles  of  food  that  the  position  and  capaciousness  of 
the  oval  aperture  can  be  demonstrated.  The  writer  had 
under  observation  a  specimen  that  made  quite  a  number 
of  attempts  to  swallow  food  more  than  thrice  its  own  di- 
mensions. Where  it  is  found  with  abundance  of  food 
the  nucleus  and  contractile  vesicle  are  obscured  by  the 
large  globular  food  grains  it  contains.  It  is  a  veritable 
scavenger.  A  dead  Pluronema  has  been  seen  surrounded 
by  dozens  of  them  intent  on  devouring  the  remains  as 
rapidly  as  possible. 

Family. — AnisonemidsB.     S.  K. 

Genus. — Diplomastix.     S.  K. 

Species. — Diplomastix  agili8(fig8.  8  and  9). 
Body  sub-obovate,  compressed ;  less  than  twice  as  long  as 
wide  ;  dextral  border  of  greater  convexity  than  sinistral ; 
anterior  slightly  truncate  transversely  ;  dorsum  convex 


Digitized  by 


Google 


116  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [April 

and  veatrum  plane  ;  the  anterior  half  of  the  ventrum 
traversed  by  a  slight  concavity  which  includes  about  one- 
half  the  body  width;  ilagella  originating  together  ue«r 
the  center  of  anterior  border ;  the  anterior  flagelhiin 
equals  one  body  length  and  is  directed  obliquely  forward 
to  the  right  side  ;  the  anterior  third  of  this  tlagellum  is 
vibratile  and  is  flexed  still  further  to  the  right  side ;  the 
posterior  tlagellum  equals  nearly  two  body  lengths;  oval 
aperture  capacious,  situated  at  the  base  of  the  anterior 
flagellum  and  conspicuous  only  when  the  infusorian  is 
engulphing  or  attempting  to  engulph  large  particles  of 
food ;  contractile  vesicle  large  and  very  conspicuous,  lo- 
cated in  the  anterior  body  half  near  the  sinistral  border; 
nucleus  roundish  and  sub-central ;  endoplasm  blueish  and 
extrinsicaily  granular;  locomotion  smooth  and  rapid 
gliding.     Size  1-1400  inch.     Habitat — Pond  water  with 


This  exceedingly  active  infusorian  was  found  in  a 
number  of  different  collections  of  water  taken  from  a 
pond  in  one  of  the  parks  in  New  Orleans.  At  no  time 
was  this  form  observed  until  the  water  had  become  8tale. 
The  oblique  direction  of  the  anterior  flagellum  is  not  un- 
like the  same  appendage  of  the  genus  Petalomonas.  The 
ventral  concavity  is  well  seen  in  a  latero-ventral  view, 
which  it  often  presents,  as  it  has  the  habit  of  gliding 
through  and  about  debris  heaps,  after  the  manner  of  an 
Aspidisca,  but  in  a  hurried  and  nervous  sort  of  way. 
The  position  and  capaciousness  of  the  oval  aperture  can 
be  verified  only  by  observing  the  infusorian  swallowing 
or  attempting  to  swallow  large  particles  of  food.  It  often 
undertakes  to  swallow  particles  of  food  much  larger  than 
itself.  After  it  has  taken  any  large  particle  of  food  it 
immediately  becomes  much  altered  in  shape — but  after  a 
few  contortions  becomes  itself  again  ;  it  is  at  this  time 
only  that  it  demonstrates  its  flexibility. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18»7.J  MIOBOSCOPICAL  JOUElfAL.  417^ 

Family. — AnitjonemidaB.     S.  K. 

Genus. — Anisonema.     Dujardin. 

Species. — ^Anisonema  disomata  (figs.  10  and  11). 
Body  sab-elliptical,  less  than  twice  as  long  as  wide  ; 
anterior  extremity  slightly  wider  than  the  posterior^  and 
narrowly  truncate  centrally  ;  posterior  rounded  ;  dorsum 
and  ventrum  flat  and  both  traversed  longitudinally , by  a 
deep  groove  which  occupies  nearly  one-third  of  the  body 
width;  these  grooves  seem  to  cut  the  body  in  equal 
halves ;  flagella  originating  together  near  the  frontal 
border  and  on  a  line  with  the  slight  anterior  truncation  ; 
the  anterior  one  equals  one  body  length  while  the  pos- 
terior one  is  near  two  body  lengths ;  contractile  vesicles, 
two,  small  and  located  in  the  anterior  body  third,  one 
on  each  side  of  the  grooves;  nucleus  roundish,  in  the  pos- 
terior half  near  the  sinistral  border  ;  endoplasm  granular 
and  of  a  greenish  tint ;  locomotion  exactly  as  with  Anin- 
nema  grande.  Ehr.  Size  4-1666  inch.  Habitat — water 
from  a  flower  pot. 

This  form  was  taken  in  fairly  large  quantities  from 
water  of  long  standing  in  a  flower  pot  exposed  to  the 
weather.  The  grooves  give  to  the  infusorian  a  very 
transparent  Jine  extending  the  full  length  of  the  body. 
It  is  when  the  anterior  is  depressed  and  there  is  a  con- 
sequent elevation  of  the  posterior  border  that  these 
grooves  can  be  well  observed.  The  latel*al  borders  of 
this  form  are  not  rounded,  but  instead  are  cut  otF  at 
right  angles  to  the  dorsum  and  ventrum  (fig.  11). 

The  resemblance  that  this  form  bears  to  the  Anisonema 
solenotus  of  Dr.  Stokes  is  striking  and  apart  from  its 
smaller  size  would  require  careful  scrutiny  to  distinguish. 
The  writer  has  on  numerous  occasions  taken  the  Aniso- 
nema solenotus  of  Dr.  Stokes  from  pond  water  in  the 
Audubon  park  in  New  Orleans  and  has  thus  been  enabled 
to  compare  them. 

{To  be  continued.^ 


Digitized  by 


Google 


118  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [April 

Some  Experiments  on  the  Growth  of  Diatoms. 

By  GBORGE  C.  WHIPPLE, 

NEWTON  CSNT&B,  MASS. 

In  a  paper  published  in  1894  the  writer  suggested  an 
explanation  for  the  peculiar  8ea8onal  distribution  of 
diatoms  in  lakes  and  ponds.  It  was  shown  that  in  deep 
ponds  these  minute  plants  are  found  abundantly  during 
the  spring  and  fall»but  are  almost  entirely  absent  during 
the  summer  and  winter;  that  these  growths  are  closely 
connected  with  the  phenomena  of  circulation  and  stagna- 
tion of  the  water,  which  phenomena  are  due  to  tem- 
perature changes;  and  that  it  is  daring  the  periods  of  the 
year  when  the  water  is  in  complete  circulation  through- 
out the  vertical  that  the  diatom  growths  occur.  The  ex- 
planation offered  for  these  facts  had  reference  chiefly  to 
the  food  supply.  It  was  stated  that  diatoms  require  a 
suflBcient  supply  of  nitrogen  in  the  form  of  nitrates,  and 
that  they  require  a  free  circulation  of  air,  and  it  was 
shown  how  during  the  ^'periods  of  circulation"  in  the 
spring  and  fall  these  conditions  were  fulfilled.  In  the 
light  of  more  extended  observations  and  experiments  this 
food  supply  theory,  taken  alone,  is  seen  to  be  inadequate, 
and  while  it  is  true  that  the  question  of  food  is  one  of 
fundamental  importance,  yet  there  are  other  factors 
which  materially  influence  their  growth.  With  a  view 
to  determining  the  nature  and  efiect  of  some  of  these  in- 
fluences the  writer  has  conducted  recently  several  series 
of  experiments,  some  of  the  results  of  which  are  here 
presented. 

It  is  not  an  easy  matter  to  cultivate  diatoms  success- 
fully in  the  laboratory  to  obtain  comparative  results. 
They  are  organisms  which  have  an  extremely  sensitive 
nature,  and  slight  changes  in  their  environment  often 
make  great  differences  in  their  growth.  The  tempera- 
ture, the  amount  of  light,  the  shape  and  size  of  the  jar 
in  which  they  are  grown,  the  action  of  the  glass  upon  the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  119 

water,  etc.,  are  all  disturbing  elements  afifecting  their 
growth. 

In  order  to  determine  the  effect  of  light  upon  their 
growth  it  was  found  necessary  to  make  experiments  in 
the  open  reservoirs  under  conditions  practically  the  same 
as  those  found  in  nature. 

The  method  employed  was  an  extremely  simple  one. 
It  consisted  of  suspending  bottles  filled  with  water  from 
the  same  source  at  different  depths  in  the  pond,  the  bot- 
tles being  tied  to  a  rope  which  hung  from  an  anchored 
buoy.  After  a  certain  time  the  bottles  were  drawn  to 
the  surface  and  the  water  examined,  records  being  kept 
of  the  number  of  diatoms  in  each  sample  l)efore  and  after 
exposure.  The  bottles  varied  in  capacity  from  16ft  to 
1,000  cc.  In  the  first  five  experiments  they  were  tightly 
stoppered,  but  in  the  later  ones  silk  bolting  cloth  was 
tied  over  the  mouths  of  the  bottles,  and  inverted  glass 
tumblers  were  placed  above.  The  latter  arrangement 
gavt*  much  heavier  growths  on  account  of  providing  bet- 
ter opportunity  for  the  circulation  of  air  and  for  the  re- 
newal of  food  supply. 

Without  describing  the  experiments  of  [Forel  Forel, 
F.  A.  ''Le  Leman,  monographic  Ifmnologique/'  Laus- 
anne, 1896]  and  others  upon  the  intensity  of  light  at 
various  depths,  it  may  be  said  that  the  decrease  in  the 
intensity  below  the  surface  is  due  to  two  causes — ab- 
sorption by  the  water,  and  the  pr»^sence  of  fine  particles 
which  act  as  a  screen.  The  reduction  of  light  in  passing 
through  water  is  suppos^'d  to  follow  the  law  that  as  the 
depth  increases  arithmetically  the  intensity  of  the  light 
decreases  geometrically.  For  example,  if  the  intensity 
of  the  light  falling  upon  the  surface  of  a  pond  is  repre- 
sented by  1,  and  if  ^  of  the  light  is  absorbed  by  the  first 
foot  of  water,  then  the  intensity  of  light  at  the  depth  of 
one  foot  will  be  I;  the  second  foot  of  water  will  ab- 
sorb   i    of    f,   and   the   intensity    at     a   depth    of  two 


Digitized  by 


Google 


120  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [April 

feet  will  therefore  be  9-16,  and  so  on.  At  this  rate  of 
decrease  the  intensity  of  light  at  a  depth  of  ten  feet  will 
be  only  about  5  per  cent  of  that  at  the.surface.t 

The  following  experiments  selected  from  the  series 
mUcybe  cit.ed  as  a. typical  example  of  the  results  obtained: 

Cochituate  water  located  in  the  Chestnut  Hill  Reser- 
voir, April  29  to  May  13,  1895.  Temperature,  53''-62''. 
Color,  a:68. 


Date. 

Depths 

= 

i 

1 

i 

08 

■    i 

1 

1 

1 

1 

i 

1 

April  29 

AH  depths. 

94 

196 

3 

11 

16 

319 

May  13 

2  ft. 

4,040 

910 

20 

22,010 

550 

27,530 

May  13 

4ft.. 

570 

80 

10 

6.800 

120 

7,580 

May  13 

6  ft. 

380 

650 

26 

4,510 

284 

5,850 

May  13 

8  ft.   • 

650 

840 

26 

1,304 

100 

2,920 

Jdayl3 

10  ft, 

154 

1,380 

10 

80 

0 

1,624 

May  13 

25  ft. 

16 

132 

0 

88 

28 

264 

On  April  29,  the  bottles-  were  filled  with  watpr  from 
the  same  source  and  suspended  in  the  reservoir  at  the 
d^ths.iqdicated  ip  the  table.  On  that  date  the  water 
contained  319  diatoms  per  cc.  After  an  .exposure  of  two 
y/e^kp  the  bottles  were  drawn  to  the  surface  and  the 
W^ter  examined^  with  the  result  that  the  samples  near 
the  surface  showed  an  abundant  growth,  while  those 
which  bad  been  kept  at  a  greater  depth  showed  but  a 
slight  increase. 

The  temperature  of  all  the  samples  was  the  same  and 
the  only  facts  that  varied  were  the  intensity  and  quality 
of  the  light. 

la  order  to  better  appreciate  the  relation  between  the 
intensity  of  the  light  and  the  diatom  growth,  we  may 
conaider  fig.  1. 

This  diagram  shows  the  relative  diatom  growths  at 
various  depths  and  the  corresponding  intensity  of  light 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897] 


MIOROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL. 


121 


calculated  from  experiments  upon  the  coeflBcient  of  ab- 
sorption of  light  by  water.  The  pdif'Hilelism  of  the  two 
curves  is  very  striking. 

One  of  the  objects  of  the  experiments  was'to  determine 
the  depth  below  which  the  diatoms  are  unable  to  develop. 
The  results  show  what  we  should  naturally  expect,  that 
it  depends  upon  the  character  of  the  water. — its  color, 
turbidity,    etc.      This   is     illustrated    by    fig.  2,    whicii 


~''~ 

'0yMM^fm<.^.           \ 

- 

r- 

/*.-. 

VJ/T- 

/  Of 

n     4 

i/jA-r 

-:^ 

-^ 

^ 

/ 

i 

t, 

ij 

1 

: 

. 

— , 

1 

-<-' 

^      1 

- 

- 

• 

MU 

MMw  ^erec. 

1 

■ 

' 

' 

i 

J 

v^ 

■. 

^ 

^ 

-^ 

1 

/ 

i  *> 

/ 

1 

1 

/ 

% 

^ 

>  / 

/ 

I 

1 

lit  murrm  o»  «/r//4wr  r 

• 

i 

EXi'LANaTIOX  or  the  DIAOBAMfi. 

Fixuic  L. —  LwWtt  CucLituatu  witter  lucated  iu  Luke  Oochituat«,  Nov.  'iU,  luUO.  KaaiiiiuwU  Deo.  d, 
1896.  Temperature  ^ifiAAf^.  Color  0  33.  The  iuteuaity  of  light  at  different  depths  wax 
otlcuiated  oD  the  aMnmption  thnt  a  Inyer  Of  water  one  foot  in  depth  absorbs  V^  p^r  cent  I 
the  light  falling  npon  it. 

Fi}:urt*  'i,  — Ijake  Cuchituate  water  located  in  tho  Choetnut  Hill  Ke«eiviiir  and  in  IiMkpCocliitu«>. 
The  curves  reprMA-nt  the  aTeraK*)  "^  ^"^^  a^^ries,  the  ftnrt  fruni  Nov.  22  tu  2u,  the  secoi  d 
from  Nov,  29  to  Dec.  9, 1896.  Temperature  4i>°  to  4G°.  No  I .  C.  H.  Res.  Color  0.3*7. 
No.  ^.  Lake  CuchituMte.  Color  0.3:{.  The  DiaUimn  referred  tu  in  both  diagrams  wt  r» 
chiefly  Asteriunell«  and  Jfclosira. 

shows  the  results  of  two  series  of  experiments  upon  water 
of  the  same  kind  located  in  Lake  Cocliitiiate  and  Chest- 
nut Hill  Reservoir.  The  former  had  a  color  of  0,33, 
while  the  color  of  the  1  itter  was  0.87.  The  difference  be- 
tween the  two  series  is  very  striking.  In.  the  light 
colored  water,  the  giowths  were  heavier  and  extended  to 
greater  depths  than  in  the  darker  water. 

Curve  No.  1  represents  the   growths    in  Chestnut  Hill 
Reservoir,  and   curve  No.  2   those    in   Lake    Cochituate. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


^ 

i 


122  tHE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [April 

The  number  of  diatoms  in  the  original  sample  is  shown 
by  the  broken  line.  The  point  at  which  this  broken  line 
cnt8  the  curveH  may  be  called  the  limit  of  growth.  In 
Lake  Cochituate  this  point  was  at  a  depth  of  about 
twelve  feet,  in  Chestnut  Hill  Reservoir,  six  fet-t. 

Diatoms  are  said  to  be  positively  heliotropic,  that  is, 
tliey  tend  to  more  towards  the  light.  In  soni^  species 
this  power  is  quite  strong;  in  others  it  is  less  noticeable. 
For  the  purpose  of  determining  the  heliotropiam  of  the 
diatoms  commonly  found  in  water  supplies,  siimples  of 
water  rich  in  diatoms  were  placed  in  brass  tubes  three 
inches  in  diameter  and  thirty-two  inches  long, liavingglass 
ends.  One  end  was  covered  with  a  black  cap,  and  the 
other  end  exposed  to  the  light.  Atter  varying  lengths 
of  exposure,  portions  of  the  water  were  drawn  from  each 
end  of  the  tubes  and  examined  microscopically.  As  ;in 
example  of  the  results  obtained  the  following  may  be 
quoted.  Cochituate  water  containing  922  diatoms  per  cc. 
was  exposed  in  a  tube  for  twelve  hours.  At  tbe  end  of 
that  time  the  water  at  the  light  end  of  the  tube  contained 
1,438  and  that  nt  the  dark  end  only  320.  Some  of  the 
tubes  were  inclined,  to  see  if  the  diatoms  woiibl  nuive 
upwards  towards  the  light;  some  of  them  were  placMl 
vertically;  in  others  the  diatoms  were  given  lime  to  .seiile 
before  the  exposure  was  made.  The  experiments  showed 
that  most  of  the  common  genera  ten<le<l  to  move  towards 
the  light^while  settling,  but  that  having  once  reached 
the  bottom  of  the  tube  tliey  remained  where  tiiey  fell. 
They  apparently  did  not  possess  the  power  of  moving 
upwards  towards  the  light — certainly  not  through  any 
great  depth  of  water.  But  while  they  could  not  rise  of 
their  own  accord,  slight  currents  of  convection  caused  by 
varying  the  temperature  of  the  water  sufficed  to  keep 
them  near  the  surface. 

The  bearing  which  these  facts  have  upon   the  seasonal 
di>tfil)nti.)T|  of  ilj.'lfon)^  is  obvio'i«,  nni  we  are  pow  bett**r 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICE08C0PICAL  JOURNAL.  123 

able  to  understand  why  it  is  that  their  growths  occur 
daring  those  seasons  of  the  year  when  the  water  is  in 
circulation  throughout  the  vertical.  During  those  periods 
not  only  is  food  more  abundant,  but  the  vertical  currents 
keep  the  diatoms  near  the  surface,  where  there  is  light 
enough  to  stimulate  their  growth,  and  where  there  is  an 
abundance  of  air.  If  this  theory  be  true,  it  must  follow 
that  the  weather  has  a  marked  influence  upon  their 
growth.  We  should  expect  that  the  greatest  growths 
would  occur  on  warm,  fair  days,  when  there  is  just  enough 
wind  to  keep  the  diatoms  near  the  surface.  On  quiet 
days  we  should  expect  that  they  would  sink  in  the  water, 
perhaps  below  the  limit  of  their  growth.  During  a  long 
period  of  quiet  weather  they  might  sink  even  to  such  a 
depth  that  they  would  not  again  be  able  to  reach  the  sur- 
face. 

This  is  juftt  what  took  place  in  Lake  Cochituate  in  the 
spring  of  1895.  In  this  lake  there  is  almost  invariably 
a  heavy  spring  growth  of  diatoms,  but  in  1895  the 
growth  was  small.  It  began  as  usual,  the  diatoms  being 
apparently  in  good  condition.  Early  in  May,  however, 
there  were  a  few  days  of  uncommonly  warm  weather. 
The  temperature  of  the  air  went  above  90°,  and  the  tem- 
perature of  the  surface  water  on  one  day  was  76°.  For 
almost  a  week  the  water  was  very  calm.  During  this 
calm  weather  the  diatoms  settled  rapidly,  disappearing 
almost  entirely  from  the  surface.  In  the  meantime  the 
water  became  stratified,  on  account  of  the  high  tempera- 
ture of  the  surface  layers,  and  when  once  more  the  wind 
began  to  blow,  its  influence  was  felt  only  ten  or  fifteen 
feet  below  the  surface.  The  diatoms,  having  settled 
below  that  depth,  were  unable  to  rise,  and  consequently 
their  growth  ceased. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


124  THB  AMBRICAN  MONTHLY  [April 

On    a  Fossil   Lake  io    New    Jersey. 

By  ARtHUR  M.  EDWARDS,  M.  D., 

NEWARK,  N.  J. 

[Read  before  the  Waahington  Hicroseopical  Society.] 
I  wish  to  record  here  the  finding  of   a  fossil    lake    in 
New  Jersey;  first,  because  it  gives  me  an  opportunity  of 
clearing  up  the  knowledge  of  infusorial  earths  and  also 
because  I  found  in  it  two  strata  of  fossil  bacillaria,  com- 
monly called  diatomace®,  one  below  fresh-water  and  one 
above  brackish  water  forms.     Beside  these   are  growing 
now  and  depositing   their  shells,  fresh-water  bacillaria.  ' 
This  was  the  first  that  I   can  find  containing  the   fresh 
and  brackish  water  layers  of  bacillaria,  and  should  be  re- 
corded for  that  reason  alone.      But  I  was,  therefore,  led 
to  study  closely  the  genesis  of  similar  infusorial  earths  and 
I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  they  all,  in  this  coun- 
try- as  well  as  in  Europe,  are  the  same  lithologically  and 
the  same  in  the  forms  of  bacillaria  seen  in  them. 

The  earth  is  clay  and  so  are  all  of  them  in  North  and 
South  America  and  in  Europe.  When  discovered,  it  was 
communicated  to  the  San  Francisco  Microscopical  Society 
on  the  2lHt  of  January,  1891.  I  than  called  it  an  intra- 
glacial  deposit,  it  being  supposed  that  it  lay  between  the 
two  glacial  moraines  which  I  supposed  were  here  in  New 
Jersey.  But  then  I  studied  the  glacial  moraine  and  I 
found  there  was  but  one  in  this  part  of  the  state.  I  also 
learned  that  glacialists  were  inclined  to  place  but  one  iu 
the  east,  although  they  were  doubtful  if  there  were  two 
in  the  west.  I  now  call  it  Iceberg  period  clay,  being 
formed  when  the  ice  of  the  glacial  period  was  melting 
and  broke  into  icebergs  on  the  margin.  This  margin 
moved  further  north  as  the  ice  melted  and  at  last  disap- 
peared. When  I  found  the  earth,  it  was  just  developed, 
being  turned  up  by  the  Lehigh  Valley  railroad  forming 
a  bank  across  a  marsh  whicU  I  learned  bad  been  a  Uke 
formerly. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  125 

Weequachick  lake  was  known  to  the  Indians  but  has 
disappeared  now,  being  left  as  a  marsh  with  clear  places 
iu  it  where  the  water  was  clear  but  shallow.  It  is  at 
Waverly,  about  four  miles  from  Newark  and  close  to 
Elizabeth.  I  found  first  that  they  were  digging  for  the 
railroad  just  south  of  the  Marsh  and  almost  a  yard  down 
they  turned  up  a  dark,  almost  black  soil:  This  I  secured 
and  examined.  I  was  delighted  to  find  that  it  consisted  of 
nearly  pure  brackish  water  forms  of  bacillaria.  Going  to 
the  place  where  they  were  digging  to  secure  som«*  more  of 
the  earth,  I  saw  that  the  embankment  which  was  formed 
of  glacial  moraine,  in  this  case  being  in  the  majority  of 
sand  and  gravel,  had  been  laid  across  a  marsh  which  1 
also  learned  had  been  called  Weequachick  lake.  But  the 
soil  at  the  bottom  had  not  been  firm  enough  to  bear  the 
weight  of  the  embankment  which  had  sunk,  crowding  up 
the  bottom  of  the  marsh.  At  one  place,  it  rose  in  mina- 
ture  hill,  about  six  to  eight  feet  high.  In  this  place,  1 
collected  it,  and  found  it  was  peaty  on  top,  and,  for  five 
feet  down,  it  contained  brackish  forms  of  bacillaria,  and 
helow  that  for  at  least  two  feet  it  was  made  up  of  fresh- 
water forms.  Beneath  all  was  the  glacial  moraine  which 
at  this  place  is  over  thirty  feet  thick.  Where  the  fresh- 
water and  the  brackish  water  bacillaria  joined,  there  was 
a  mingling  of  forms,  so  that  one  could  collect  a  fresh 
water  infusorial  earth  having  some  salt  water  found  in  it. 
Thus,  I  got  Navicula  viridis  and  other  forms  along  with 
Triceratiiim  favus. 

Then  I  studied  the  infusorial  earths  which  I  had  or 
<-ould  procure  and  I  got  over  a  hundred  and  I  found  that 
they  all  contained  essentially  the  same  fresh-water  forms 
And  I  collected  any  clay  that  occurred  everywhere  in 
New  Jersey  and  I  found  it  contained  sparsely  the  same 
forms.  And  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  they  were  all 
one  in  the  Iceberg  period  clays  of  the  world.  This  is 
the  conclusion  I  have  come  to  now. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


126  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [April 

The  Microscopical  and  Cbemical  Aids  to  Diagnosis. 

By  Dr.  KATHRINE  R.  COLLINS. 

On  October    14th,  1896,    before    the    Tristate    Medical 
Society  at  Chattanooga,  Dr.   Kathrine    R.  Collins    read  a 
paper  on  "Microscopical  and  Chemical  Aids  to  Diagnosis." 
The  writer  takes  the    position    that  by    these  two    means 
valuable  assistance  to  diagnosis  may  be  obtained,  but  at 
present  it  is,   too  often,  the  case  that  these  examinations 
are  hurriedly  and  carelessly    made  thus  bringing   about 
very    unsatisfactory    results.       The  examination    of  one 
specimen  of  urine  being   frequently  considered   all  that 
is  necessary,  not  as    the    abnormal    C(»nstituents    of   the 
urine  may  occur  without  any  coexisting  pathological  con- 
dition, as  the  presence  of  sugar  or  albumen  after  a  meal 
rich  in  these  substances,  the  one  examination  is  without 
value.      Also  in  the  microscopical  work   many    conditions 
may  be  overlooked  in  the  single  examination  or  the  pres- 
ence of  the  tubercle  bacilli    in  the  sputum  of  tuberculous 
patients.     Attention  is  then    called  to  some    of  the   diffi- 
culties interfering  with  the  tests  for  sugar  in   the  urine; 
the  value  of  estimating  the  amount  of  chlorides  excreted 
in  pneumonia ;  the  presence  and  value    of  the    Drazo-re- 
action  in  typhoid  fever,    pulmonary    tuberculosis,   puer- 
peral conditions  and  concealed  septic  processes  ,  the  pro- 
gress of  structural  diseases  of  the  kidney  being   marked 
by  the  amount  of  urea    present,    a  diminution,   showing 
non-elimination  and  consequent  absorption. 

In  the  examinations  of  the  sputum,  the  Lurshman-Ley- 
den  spirals  in  bronchial  affections,  the  Charcol-Leyden 
crystals  in  bronchial  asthma,  the  elastic  fibres  and  the 
tubercle  bacillus.  The  presence  of  the  Klebs-LoeflSer 
bacillus  of  diphtheria  should  be  demonstrated  in  every 
case  of  that  disease,  as  it  will  lead  to  a  sharper  line  be- 
ing drawn  between  true  diphtheria  and  these  throat 
affections  that  siinulate   the  disease.     The  pneumococcus 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  127 

of  Fraenkel  while  not  yet  proven  the  sole  cause  of  pneu- 
monia is  considered  by  many  authorities  to  bear  a  casual 
relation  to  the  disease.  Going  on  to  the  blood  examina- 
ations,  here  the  condition,  number  and  relation  of  the 
red  and  white  blood  corpuscles  are  the  only  means  by 
whicli  we  can  distinguish  between  chlorisis  and  ana3mia, 
and  anemia  and  leukaemia.  While  Laveran's  experi- 
ments in  1880,  demonstrating  the  presence  in  the  blood  of 
the  Plasmodia  malaria*,  have  been  corroborated  by  other 
investigators  in  his  own  country  and  by  many  in  this, 
lie  thus  made  malaria  a  definite  disease.  The  Doctor 
proceeds  to  speak  of  the  revolution  of  opinions  in  regard 
t<»  the  causative  factor  in  typhoid  fever.  Babes  and 
Brieger  are  quoted  as  expressing  doubt  as  to  the  Eberth 
bacillus  being  the  sole  and  Only  cause.  Babes  fails'  to 
find  it  in  every  case,  while  Brieger  claims  a  mixed  infec- 
tion. Vaughan,  of  this  country,  in  1890,  made  experi- 
ments and  demonstrated  the  presence  in  drinking  water 
obtained  from  the  source  of  the  water  supply  of  a  town 
suffering  from  a  severe  epidemic  of  typhoid  fever,  of  a 
number  of  germs  capable  of  producing  in  rats  and  guinea 
[ugs  the  characteristic  symptoms  of  typhoid  fever,  and 
invariably  fatal.  Someof  these  germs  found  in  the  spleen 
after  death,  respond  to  the  tests  for  the  Eberth  bacillus. 
Vaughan  concludes  from  this  that  there  are  found  incert- 
ain  waters  a  number  of  germs  capable  of  producing  typh- 
oid fever,  and  that  the  P]berth  bacillus  is  an  involution 
form  of  any  one  of  these.  In  conclusion  the  Doctor 
urges  the  proft^ssion  in  the  report  of  all  cases  to  add  the 
results  of  microscopical  and  chemical  analysis  of  the  ex- 
cretions and  secretions  indicated. — Charlotte  Medical 
Journal. 

Liquid  Metal  Polioh. — Take  8  ounces  of  rotten  stone, 
2  ounces  oxalic  acid,  3  ounces  cotton  seed  oil  and  add  ben- 
zinc  enough  to  make  the  mixture  of  the  required  consist- 
ency. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


128  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [April 

EDITORIAL. 


Cigarettes. — An  analysis  at  the  Department  of  Agricul- 
ture showed :  Ash  13.00,  water  13.00,  ammonia  .05,  nico- 
tine 1.20,  oils  and  fats  5.00,  fiber  6.00,  sugar  starch  50.00, 
pretreate  matter  12.50.  No  opium  or  arsenic  was  found 
after  analyzing  samples  of  all  the  common  native  brands. 
The  opponents  should  confine  their  charges  to  the  injuri- 
ous effect  of  the  nicotine  upon  the  nervous  system  and 
upon  the  heart.  It  disturbs  the  regular  systole  and  dia- 
stole of  the  heart  and  changes  the  beat  to  a  muffled  flutter. 
After  the  cerebral  exhilaration  and  exaltation  produced 
by  smoking,  come  with  the  lapse  of  hours  irritating  and 
debilitating  or  soporific  effects,  which  give  way  under  the 
exhilaration  of  another  smoke  but  persist  unpleasantly 
unless  treatment  is  granted.  A  body  subject  to  such 
alternations  cannot  stand  during  25  years  what  it  could 
have  stood  if  freed  from  them. 

Good  Water. — Koch  said  that  water  is  good  unless  it 
contains  over  100  microbes  to  the  cubic  centimeter. 
Franland  says  that  there  may  be,  many  more  in  g-ood 
water. 

Typhoid  Germs. — Dr.  Frankland  put  typhoid  germs  into 
deep  well  water,  into  Thames  water  and  into  Lake  Katrine 
water.  The  bacilli  died  more  rapidily  in  Thames  water 
than  in  the  lake  water  while  they  persisted  longest  in  the 
deep  well  water.  The  longevity  of  the  germs  was  propor- 
tional to  the  freedom  of  the  water  from  other  inhabitants. 


MICROSCOPICAL  APPAIIATUS. 

A  New  Microscope  Lamp. — This  excellent  lamp,  which 
combines  portability  wuth  great  efficiency,  was  designed 
and  exhibited  at  the  meeting  of  the  Quekett  Microscopical 
Club,  on  the  16th  of  last  October,  by  Mr.  W.  Goodwin,  a 
member  of  the  club. 

The  lamp  which  is  nickel-plated,  is  2i^in.  in  diameter 
6 '2  in.  in  height,  and  weighs  about  ?>oz.     A  glance  at   the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897] 


MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL. 


129 


figure  shows  that  it  has  a  metal  chimney  with  two  opening's  : 
this  makes  it  available  for  the  illumination  of  two  micro- 
scopes at  the  same  time.  The  burner  takes  a  ^^in.  wick, 
which  yields  sufficient  light  for  an  armplification  of  2,000 
diameters  when  a  suitable  condenser  is  used. 

The  glasses  are  optically  worked,  one  being  tinted  steel- 
blue,  the  other  signal-green  ;  if,  however,  untinted  light  is 
desired,  circles  of  thin  cover  glass  may  be  used  instead. 
These,  if  carefully  selected,  will  stand  the  heat  of  the 
flame  without  cracking. 

The  lamp  is  so  small  that  it  can  easily  be  packed  in  the 
same  case   with  the  microscope,  thus  dispensing  with  an 


extra  box.  The  price  of  the  lamp  is  about  12s.,  and  it  is 
made  by  Mr.  H.  Hinton,  12  Vorley-road,  Upper  HoUoway, 
N. — English  Mechanic, 

A  Simple  Means  of  Illuminating  Objects  with  Low 
Powers  of  Artificial  Light. — The  following  is  a  simple 
means  of  obtaining  a  pleasant  equably  lighted  field  with 
sufficient  intensity  and  of  such  a  tone  as  to  permit  of  a 
prolonged  examination  of  low  power  specimens  without 
fatigue. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


130  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Apiit 

Such  an  illumination  was  felt  to  be  a  desideratum  in 
quite  early  microscopical  days,  and  in  all  the  older  text- 
books will  be  found  descriptions  of  apparatus  to  serve 
this  end,  rang-ing*  from  simple  contrivances  like  waxed 
paper,  g^round  g^lass  and  plaster-of-Paris  mirrors  to  lig^ht 
modifiers,  reflector  screens,  white-cloud  condensers, 
double  parabolic  specula,  and  many  more  elaborate  de- 
vices. It  is  pretty  obvious,  therefore,  that  nothing*  new  or 
striking^  is  likely  to  be  invented  for  the  purpose  now, 
when  the  tendency  is  to  diminish  rather  than  multiply 
apparatus. 

The  idea  is  to  intensify  the  ligfht  and  then  spread  it  over 
a  largfe  surface.  For  the  intensification  I  use  the  lower, 
crossed  lens  of  the  Abbe  condenser,  (fig-.  2,  b)  but  any 
suitable  fairly  large  lens  of  about  one  inch  focus  will  do  as 
well,  either  a  double  convex  or  the  field  lens  of  an  eye-piece. 
This  is  screwed  into  the  lower  end  of  a  piece  of  tube 
fitting"  the  sub-stag"e,  or  under  stage  ring,  which  tube 
should  be  a  little  longer  than  the  focal  length  of  the  lens 
employed.  Just  below  the  upper  end  of  the  tube  is  a  split 
ring  serving  as  a  ledge,  and  (m  this,  in  the  focal  plane  of 
the  -lens,  rests  a  circle  of  thinnish  glass  lightly  ground 
on  one  surface.  The  light  from  the  flat  of  the  lamp  is 
condensed  by  the  bulKs-eye  (m  the  mirror,  thrown  up 
through  the  lens  and  focussed  on  the  ground  glass,  ( fig.  2,  a ) 
which  is  racked  or  pushed  up  until  almost  in  contact  with 
the  slide.  The  image  of  the  flame  being  broken  up  at 
every  possible  angle  by  the  ground  glass,  with  a  little 
manipulation  one  can  fill  any  sized  field  with  a  most 
pleasant  soft  light,  which  can  be  employed  for  a  long  time 
without  detriment  to  vision.  It  was  long  ago  discovered, 
that  freshly-ground  glass  possessed  a  peculiar  property  of 
soft  brilliancy  which  the  commercial  product  did  not,  and 
I  get  circles  of  the  required  size  from  the  glass-cutter  and 
grind  them  myself  with  a  little  fine  emery  and  water  on 
another  piece  of  glass  until  just  sufficiently  abraded  lo 
stop  any  direct  pencils.  Besides  the  ordinary  white  glass 
it  is  a  great  advantage  to  get  .some  circles  cut  from  dif- 
ferent tints  of  blue  or  smoked  glass,  and  either  grind  these 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  131 

on  one  surface  in  the  same  way,  or  temporarily  cement 
them  to  the  unabraded  surface  of  the  ground  glass,  by  a 
drop  of  cedar  oil  or  glycerine;  one  thus  obtains  a  series 
of  tones  suited  to  all  sorts  of  oh]Qcis,— Journal  of  .Quekett 
Microscopical  Club, — G,  C,  Karop, 

Formaldehyde  Generator. — This  apparatus   shown  in 
the  illustration  has  been  designed  by  C.  Truax,  Green  and 
Co.,  for  the  safe,  convenient  and   economic  production  of 
formaldehyde  by  the  oxydation  of  methyl  alcohol. 
G  Methyl  alcohol  is  made  from  wood  and  is  much  preferred 

to  sulphur  for  disinfect- 
ing purposes.  It  will  pen- 
etrate bedding,  furniture 
and  clothing,  thoroughly 
^  disinfecting  them  without 

discoloration. 

This  lamp  is  conven- 
ient, economical  and  sim- 
ple in  construction,  com- 
pactly made  and  requires 
no  fine  manipulation  to 
secure  the  desired  result, 
A  room  having  2,500 
cubic  feet  capacity  may  be 
thoroughly  disinfected  by 
this  generator  without  any  previous  preparation  by  one 
filling  of  the  reservoir. 

Formaldehyde  in  its  gaseous  form  has  the  properties  of 
ready  diffusibility  and  great  power  of  penetration.  It  may 
also  be  used  in  connection  with  a  sterilizer  constructed  for 
the  purpose  of  sterilizing  surgical  instruments  and  dress- 
ings.— Journal  of  Am.  Med.  Association. 

A  Polarizing  Microscope.  Dr.  F.  C.  Van  Dyck  of 
Rutger's  College  described  in  this  Journal  in  May,  1895, 
a  polarizing  microscope  which  he  was  using  for  pro- 
jection. He  has  been  improving  it  since  that  time,  till 
now  the  results  are  highly  satisfactory.     The  lantern  is  a 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1 


I3d  THE  AMBRtCATf  MONTHLY  [April 

vertical  one,  the  rays  being-  reflected  horizontally  by  a  right- 
angled  prism  at  the  top  of  the  instrument. 

Referring  to  the  illustration  published  in  the  Journal  of 
May  18,  1895  (p.  154)  the  general  scheme  of  arrangement 
is  shown.  The  alum  cell  is  above  the  second  large  lens  as 
shown,  and  the  sub-stage  condenser  is  also  removed  with 
the  7-8  objective.  The  analyser  swings  out  from  the 
optical  axis,  as  does  also  a  selenite  placed  where  the  sub- 
stage  condenser  is  shown. 

As  for  its  performance,  the  field  on  the  microscope  stage 
is  1-4  inch;  on  the  screen,  31  feet  distant,  it  is  shown  just 
8  feet  in  diameter,  and  as  light  as  the  average  field  of  a 
calcium  light  stereoptican.  With  polarized  light  the  struc- 
ture of  granite,  pitchstone,  Labradorite,  and  marble  were 
distinctly  shown,  with  the  several  minerals  which  were 
present  in  them. 

The  blue  and  yellow  field  obtained  by  using  the  selenite 
with  open  and  crossed  nicols  gave  the  effects  of  polariza- 
tion with  much  greater  distinctness,  and  added  greatly  to 
the  beauty  of  the  slide.  Some  of  the  specimens  so  shown 
were  chalcedony,  salicine,  asparagin,  animal  and  vegetable 
sections.  If  a  hair,  or  any  dense  tissue  was  present  in  the 
preparation,  the  exact  location  of  such  a  part  was  very 
clearly  shown  by  this  combination  of  selenite  and  polari- 
zer. Thus  the  stellate  hairs  of  deutzia,  the  hairs  in  the 
nose  of  a  cat,  the  cartilaginous  portions  of  a  cat's  tongue, 
the  difference  in  composition  between  the  nail  and  the 
rhizoid  processes  forming  the  *'quick;''  were  all  shown  far 
more  clearly  by  this  means  than  by  normal  light.  The 
medullary  rays  in  trans-sections  of  woody  stems  were 
also  polarized,  and  indicated  a  beginning  of  a  new  field  for 
the  application  of  this  light,  heretofore  regarded  as  the 
monoply  of  the  mineralogist  and  petrologist. 

Dr.  A.  H.  Chester  has  heartily  co-operated  with  Dr.  Van 
Dyck  in  his  work,  and  they  have  used  their  instrument 
before  the  Brooklyn  and  New  York  Academies  of  Science 
recently  and  received  much  encouragement  and  hearty 
congratulations  from  other  students  of  physical  science. — 
Frederick  H,  Blodgett. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  133 

MICROSCOPICAL  MANIPULATION. 


Formaldehyde. — Among  the  newer  preparations  formal- 
clehydeappearstobemeetingmany  of  the  claims  made  for  it. 
It  seems  to  have  a  wide  field  of  usefulness  in  several  direc- 
tions: 1.  Asa  food  preservative;  2.  As  a  deodorant 
either  in  vapor  or  solution ;  3.  As  a  hardening-  ag^ent  in 
microscopical  work;  4.  As  a  preservative  of  human  cada- 
vers; v^.  A  careful  inspection  has  shown  that  disinfection 
by  means  of  formaldehyde  vapor  is  most  thoroug-h  and 
complete. 

Experiments  prove  conclusively  that  formaldehyde  as 
a  preservative  for  mucilage  and  paste  is  the  ne  plus  ultra. 
Before  however,  this  preparation  can  be  used  indiscrim- 
inately as  a  preservative  for  foods  and  liquors,  its  non tox- 
icity must  be  established  beyond  the  shadow  of  a  doubt. 
It  would  seem  that  this  preparation  covers  a  wider  field  as 
a  preservative  than  either  salicylic  acid  or  borax,  and  the 
same  care  which  has  been  used  in  testing  the  physiologi- 
cal effects  of  these,  should  be  employed  with  formaldehyde. 

Not  long  ago,  when  for  present  lack  of  time,  several 
specimens  of  pathological  urine  could  not  be  examined 
immediately  by  a  physician,  he  added  two  drops  of  the  40 
per  cent  solution  of  formaldehyde  to  each  four  ounce  bot- 
tle of  the  specimens,  which  expedient  answered  admirably. 
Recent  experiments  in  mounting  tube-casts,  using  form- 
aldehyde as  a  preservative,  have  proved  its  efficacy  after 
five  weeks.  Still  these  experiments  have  not  continued 
long  enough  to  guarantee  the  permanency  of  the  result. — 
Western  Druggist. 


MEDICAL  MICROSCOPY. 


Yellow  Fever.  -  There  seems  no  reason  to  doubt  that 
Giusseppe  Sanarelli  has  discovered  the  bacillus  of  yellow 
fever,  as  announced  some  weeks  ago.  Whether  he  has 
discovered  a  means  of  curing  it,  remains  to  be  proved; 
but  the  experiment  and   the  result   will  shortly   be   pub- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


134  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [April 

lished.  At  Monte  Video  it  is  believed  that  Dr.  Sanarelli 
has  succeeded,  and  it  is  believed  that  he  will  win  the  re- 
ward of  about  ^30,000  offered  by  the  Brazillian  Govern- 
ment. It  may  be  remembered  that  the  enthusiastic  Ital- 
ian biolog^ist  cured  himself  of  yellow  fever  caug^ht  in  the 
course  of  his  investigations. — Scientific  American. 

Diagnosis  ofPregnancy  with  the  Microscope. — Dr.  Park, 
of  Philadelphia,  (Amer.  Gyn.  and  Obstet.  Jour.)  reports 
that  after  a  microscopic  study  of  the  triple  phosphates  in 
^  the  urine  of  pregnant  women,  he  is  satisfied  that  they  be- 
gan to  change  their  form  within  twenty  days  after  concep- 
tion. The  feathery  appearance  first  disappears  from  the 
tips  of  the  crystals  and  progresses  downward  to  the  base. 

Sometimes  it  occurs  only  on  one  side,  but  generally  on 
both.  If  the  foetus  dies  they  resume  their  normal  appear- 
ance again.  The  advantage  of  this  means  of  diagnosis  is 
that  it  can  be  made  without  the  patient's  suspecting  the 
object  of  the  examination,  and  at  a  much  earlier  period 
than  any  reliable  physicial  sign  can  be  obtained. 

Fish  Diet  and  Leprosy, — Dr.  Hensen,  of  Bergen,  says: 
**I  do  not  think  that  there  is  any  choice  given  to  the  bac- 
teria of  leprosy  as  to  localization,  just  as  there  is  none  in 
the  tubercle  bacillus.  They  develop  wherever  chance  has 
deposited  them  and  wherever  they  find  favoring  conditions 
and  no  obstacles;  for  example,  on  the  outside  of  the  arm 
where  there  is  little  muscular  movement.  On  the  ex- 
posed portions  of  the  body,  oxygen  retains  and  feeds  them. 
The  inoculation  by  insects  can  only  be  successful  in  these 
places;  in  others,  circumstances  are  too  much  against 
them.  An  internal  inoculation  is  also  easily  imaginable 
and  even  probable.  Salt  fish  is  eaten  all  over  the  world; 
raw  fish  is  eaten  only  in  some  countries,  like  Japan.  Fish, 
especially  the  carp,  which  is  so  general  an  alimentation  in 
Japan,  where  it  is  eaten  raw  and  even  alive,  feed  on  the 
larva?  of  mosquitoes,  and  may  be  suspected  of  commun- 
icating the  spores  of  disease  extracted  by  the  insects  from 
the  exposed  parts  of  diseased  bodies.  If  not,  however, 
spores,  then  the  toxins  of  the  bacilli.     In  reflecting,   then, 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOUKNAL.  135 

upon  these  points,  I  should  be  disposed  to  conclude  that 
external  leprosy  inoculation  means  tubercular  leprosy, 
and  internal  inoculation  anesthetic  leprosy.'* 

Medico-legal  Importance  of  the  Excrements. — Prof. 
Moeller  has  an  article  in  the  tVnn,  Mn,  Rundchau  of  March 
14  calling"  attention  to  the  value  of  the  testimony  afforded 
in  criminal  proceedings  by  microscopic  examination  of  the 
dejecta.  He  suggests  that  criminals  arrested  on  suspic- 
ion should  be  interrogated  as  to  what  and  where  they  had 
eaten  recently,  and  the  feces  will  confirm  the  truth  of  their 
assertions  or  the  reverse,  disprove  an  alibi,  etc.  He 
mentions  two  separate  instances  where  the  criminals 
were  traced  and  brought  to  justice  by  casual  discovery  of 
fig-  seeds  in  their  excreta,  and  adds  that  the  microscope 
should  be  used  more  frequently  than  at  present  in  crim- 
inal proceedings. 

BACTKRIOLOGI. 


The  Saliva  a  Microbe  Killer. — It  has  long  been  known 
that  secretions  of  the  mucous  membranes,  especially  saliva 
possess  antiseptic  properties  under  certain  circumstances, 
which  explains  the  reason  why  the  germs  which  enter 
daily  and  hourly  through  the  mouth  do  not  reach  a  harm- 
ful development;  but  Edinger  has  now  found  the  active 
material  in  potassium  rhodanate,  which  is  present  in  saliva.. 
Potassium  rhodanate  is  a  compound  of  sulphur,  cyanogen, 
and  potassium,  and  is  in  large  quantities,  narcotically 
poisonous  to  warm  blooded  animals;  it  is,  like  other  rhod- 
anates  fatal  to  bacilli.  It  is  said  that  quinolin  rhodanate, 
in  a  solution  of  three  parts  to  the  thousand,  will  kill  the 
cholera  bacillus  in  a  minute,  and  in  a  solution  of  three  times 
this  strength,  will  kill  the  diphtheria  bacillus  in  the  same 
time.  It  was  found  by  further  researches  that  this  rho- 
danate has  the  effect  of  carbolic  acid  and  of  corrosive  sub- 
limate, and  at  the  same  time  is  harmless  to  man. 

Rhodanate  is  the  same  thing  as  sulpho-cyanatc,  a  much 
better  word  because  it  explains  itself,  and  is  not  liable  to 
be  confounded  with  the  derivatives  of  rhodium. — Popular 
Science  News, 


Digitized  by 


Google 


136  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [April 

Natural  and  Acquired  Immunity. — The  natural  immun- 
ity of  certain  animals  to  certain  diseases;  even  when  the 
actual  virus  is  injected,  has  long-  been  known.  Recently 
careful  investigations  have  been  carried  out  at  the  Pas- 
teur Institute  at  Lille.  In  the  experiments  use  was  made 
of  the  following*  poisons;  an  animal  virus,  serpent's  venom, 
and  a  vegetable  poison  (abrine)  prepared  by  macerating- 
jequirity  seeds  in  water.  They  found  that  the  immunity 
of  pig's  and  hedg^ehog-s  to  venom  and  of  fowls  and  tortoises 
to  abrine  could  not  be  due  to  the  presence  of  antitoxins  in 
the  blood  previously  to  inoculation,  for  the  serum  of  the 
normal  animals  had  no  protective  effect  on  susceptible 
animals,  nor  had  it  any  neutralizing  effect  on  the  poison 
when  mixed  with  it  outside  the  body  before  inoculation,  in 
both  these  respects  differing  from  serum  containing  anti- 
toxins. They  were  also  unable  to  discover  any  antitoxic 
substance  in  the  brain,  liver,  spleen,  or  other  organs  of 
the  normal  animals.  They  hold  therefore,  that  the  anti- 
toxic serum  is  independent  of  immunity,  since  that  may 
exist  when  no  antitoxic  properties  are  possessed  by  the 
serum.  They  attribute  both  kinds  of  immunity  to  special 
characters  of  the  cells  of  the  body. — Lancet. 

Bartonology  Technique  of  Obtaining  Serum  and  Dried 
Blood. — Drs.  Hermann  Biggs  and  William  H.  Park  give 
tfie  following  methods  for  collecting  blood  to  diagnose 
typhoid  fever  by  the  Widal  method.  Blood  may  be  easily 
obtained  by  pricking  the  tip  of  the  finger  or  the  ear.  Two 
or  three  large  drops  should  be  collected  on  a  glass  slide  and 
allowed  to  dry.  Paper  is  not  as  good  a  receiver  for  the 
blood  as  glass,  for  the  blood  soaks  more  or  less  into  it,  and 
later,  when  it  is  dissolved,  some  of  the  paper  fibre  is  apt  to 
be  rubbed  off  with  it. 

In  preparing  the  specimen  for  examination  the  dried 
blood  is  brought  into  solution  by  mixing  it  with  about  five 
times  the  quantity  of  water.  Then  a  drop  of  this  decid- 
edly reddish  mixture  is  placed  on  a  cover-glass  and  to  it  is 
added  a  drop  of  fifteen-to-twenty-hour  bouillon  culture  of 
the  typhoid  bacillus.     The  two  drops,  after  being  mixed, 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  137 

should  have  a  faint  reddish  tinge.  The  cover-glass,  with 
the  mixture  on  the  surface,  is  inverted  over  a  hollow  slide 
(the  edges  about  the  concavity  having  been  smeared  with 
oil  or  fluid  vaseline  so  as  to  make  a  closed  chamber),  and 
the  hanging  drop  then  examined  under  the  microscope 
(preferably  by  gas  light),  a  high-power  dry  lens  (about  1-6 
inch)  being  used. 

If  the  reaction  takes  place  rapidly,  thefirst  glance  through 
the  microscope  reveals  the  completed  reaction,  all  the  ba- 
cilli being  in  loose  clumps  and  nearly  or  altogether  motion- 
less. Between  the  clumps  are  clear  spaces  containing  few 
or  no  isolated  bacilli. 

If  the  reaction  is  a  little  less  complete,  a  few  bacilli  mav 
be  found  moving  slowly  between  the  clumps,  in  an  aimless 
way,  while  others  attached  to  the  clumps  by  one  end  are 
apparently  trying  to  pull  away,  much  as  a  fly  caught  on  a 
fly-paper  struggles  for  freedom. 

If  the  agglutinating  substances  are  still  less  abundant, 
the  reaction  may  be  watched  through  the  whole  course  of 
its  development.  Immediately  after  mixing  the  blood  and 
culture  together  it  will  be  noticed  that  many  of  the  bacilli 
move  more  slowly  than  before  the  addition  of  the  serum. 
Some  of  these  soon  cease  all  progressive  movement  and  it 
will  be  seen  that  they  are  gathering  together  in  small 
groupsoftwoor  more,  the  individual  bacilli  being  still  somt- 
what  separated  from  each  other.  Gradually  they  close  up 
the  spaces  between  them  and  clumps  are  formed.  Accord- 
ing to  the  completness  of  the  reaction,  either  all  the  bacilli 
may  finally  become  clumped  and  immobilized  or  only  a 
small  portion  of  them,  the  rest  remaining  freely  motile, 
and  even  those  clumped  may  appear  to  be  struggling  for 
freedom.  With  blood  containing  a  large  amount  of  the 
agglutinating  substances  all  gradations  in  the  intensity  of 
the  reaction  may  be  observed,  from  those  shown  in  a 
marked  and  immediate  reaction  to  those  appearing  in  a  late 
and  indefinite  one,  by  simply  varying  the  proportion  of 
blood  added  to  the  culture  fluid. 

Pseudo   Re-actions  With   Dried    Blood.     If    to  >    con- 
centrated a  solution  of  dried  blood  from  a  healthy  j)ers()n 


Digitized  by 


Google 


138  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [April 

is  employed,  there  will  be  an  immobilization  of  the  bacilli, 
,but  no  true  clumping-.  This  is  sometimes  mistaken  for  a 
re-action.  Again,  dissolved  blood  always  shows  a  varying^ 
amount  of  detritus,  partly  in  the  form  of  fibrinous  clumps, 
and  prolong^ed  microscopical  examination  of  the  mixture  of 
disolved  blood  with  a  culture  fluid  shows  that  the  bacilli 
often  become  entangled  in  these  clumps,  and  in  the  course 
of  one-half  to  one  hour  very  few  isolated  motile  bacteria 
are  seen.  The  fibrinous  clumps,  especially  if  examined 
with  a  poor  light,  may  be  very  easily  mistaken  for  clumps 
of  bacilli.  This  pseudo-re-action  is  regarded  by  many  in- 
experienced observers  as  a  true  typhoid  re-action,  but  it 
occurs  as  readily  with  non-typhoid  as  with  typhoid  blood. 
'  -Prof,   L,   H.   Pammel^   Ames,   /oraa. 


1DCR08C0PIGAL  SOCIETIES. 


New  Jersey  State  Microscopical  Society. 

Apn7  26,-  The  28th  Anniversary  of  this  society  was 
celebrated  at  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  by  the  most  success- 
ful soiree  yet  held.  There  were  fifty-seven  exhibits 
under  microscopes  and  on  tables,  and  a  demonstration  of 
rock  sections  by  polarized  light  as  a  preliminary.  -/''.  /f, 
Blod^ett,  Secretary, 

The  American  Microscopical   Society. 

The  next  meetingof  the  American  Microscopical  Society 
will  be  held  at  Toledo  on  Thursday,  Friday  and  Saturday, 
August  5,  6  and  7.  The  Toledo  Microscopical  Society 
have  very  cordially  invited  their  brethren  from  other  parts 
of  the  country  to  pay  them  a  visit  and  have  promised  to 
do  all  in  their  power  to  render  that  visit  entertaining  and 
instructive. 

Those  who  attended  the  gathering  at  Pittsburg  last  year 
will  recall  the  welcome  tendered  and  the  interest  mani- 
fested by  the  members  and  their  friends  in  the  Iron  City 
and  we  trust  that  all  who  can  do  so  w^ill  renew  the  exper- 
ince  by  coming  to  Toledo  in  1897, 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18971  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  139 

The  officers  for  the  Toledo  meeting  are  as  follows: 
President,  Prof.  E.  W.  Claypole,  B.  A.,  D.  Sc.  (Lond.)  F. 
G.  S.,  Buchtel  College,  Akron,  O.;  Vice-President,  C.  C. 
Mellon  Pittsburgh,  Pa.;  Secretary,  William  C.  Krauss, 
M.  D.,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.;  Treasurer,  Magnus  Pflaum,  Pitts- 
burgh, Pa.;  Executive  Committee,  A.  A.  Young,  M.  D., 
Newark,  N.  Y.,  Mrs.  S.  P.  Gage,  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  W.  P. 
Manton,  M.  D.,  Detroit,  Mich. 

The  purpose  for  which  the  Society  exists  are  the  follow- 
ing: 

1. — To  give  to  all  who  are  interested  in  the  use  of  the 
Microscope  an  opportunity  of  seeing  what  others  are  doing 
and  of  showing  to  others  what  they  are  doing  themselves. 
In  this  way  time  is  saved  by  avoiding  useless  experiments 
and  labor  directed  into  profitable  channels.  Moreover 
workers* are  often  enabled  to  give  one  another  mutual 
assitance  by  becoming  acquainted  with  the  fields  in  which 
their  fellows  are  engaged. 

2. — To  afford  an  opportunity  for  personal  acquaintance 
and  intercourse  with  other  microscopists  and  thus  lessen 
the  sense  of  isolation  which  the  great  size  of  the  country 
and  the  fewness  of  the  workers  inevitably  produces.  Ac- 
quaintances thus  begun  at  the  meetings  often  ripen  into 
life-long  friendships  based  on  mutual  esteem  and  appre- 
ciation. 

3. — To  afford  to  a  Microscopist  working  under  difficul- 
ties in  a  country  district  or  in  a  small  educational  institu- 
tion an  opportunity  of  seeing  the  more  costly  and  compli- 
cated pieces  of  apparatus  only  to  be  found  in  the  hands  of 
dealers,  professors  teaching  in  large  or  wealthy  colleges 
or  specialists  in  tlie  great  cities. 

4. — To  advance  the  cause  of  microscopic  study  among 
the  people  living  in  the  district  where  the  meeting  is  held 
by  showing  the  interest  felt  in  the  work  outside  of  their 
own  limits.  For  this  reason  the  Society  assembles  at  a 
different  place  every  year. 

The  American  Microscopical  Society  is  national  in  ex- 
tent and  welcomes  to  membership  all  who  are  suffi<'iently 
interested  in  actual  microscopical  work  or  in  the  results 


Digitized  by 


Google 


140  THE  AMERICAN  3I0NTHLY  [April 

of  that  work  to  enlist  in  its  ranks.  No  other  stipulation 
is  made.  It  is  a  band  of  workers  interested  in  each  other's 
pursuits  and  willing  to  give  and  take  whatever  aid  their 
union  can  supply.  They  do  not  set  themselves  on  a  pin- 
nacle as  experts  and  specialists  but  claim  to  be  merely  a 
small  company  working  for  the  general  good  and  well 
aware  that  the  humblest  observer  may  be  able  to  add 
knowledge  and  experience  that  will  be  of  value  to  all.  The 
yearly  subscription  to  the  A.  M.  S.  is  two  dollars  with  an 
entrance  fee  of  three  dollars.  In  return  for  that  the  mem- 
bers receive  free  a  copy  of  the  published  papers  of  the 
Society. 

Quekett  Microscopical  Club.  -Mr.  W.  Stokes  gave  a 
description  of  some  easily-made  monochromatic  light  filters 
for  microscopical  purposes.  The  subject  was  further  dis- 
cussed by  Mr.  Nelson,  Mr.  Rheinberg,  and  others.  Mr. 
T.  Rosseter  read  a  paper  ^'Experimental  Infection  of  the 
Domestic  Duck  with  Cysticerci  or  Larval  Tapeworms." 
Specimens  and  drawings  were  shown,  by  theauthor,of  Dic- 
ranota?nia  coronula  md  Cysticercus  coronula,  Drepanidot- 
aenia  gracilis  and  Cysticercus  gracilis,  D.  tenuirostris  and 
Cysticercus  tenuirostris,  in  which  cases  he  had  proved  by 
direct  experiment  that  the  given  Cysticerci  were  really 
the  larval  forms  of  the  tapeworms  specified,  and  the  mat- 
ter was  now  no  longer  one  of  mere  surmise  from  the  iden- 
tity of  the  booklets,  &c.  The  secretary  said  Mr.  Rosseter 
appeared  to  be  the  sole  investigator  of  the  life  history  of 
this  interesting  group  of  bird  parasites  in  this  country. 

Mr.  Nelson  exhibited  a  new  triplet  magnifier  he  had 
computed  with  a  working  dii^tance  of  8-10  in.,  a  new  ach- 
romatic and  aplanatic  bull's-eye,  and  read  a  paper  on  the 
secondary  structure  of  the  diatom,  Kittonia  elaborata. 

In  consequence  of  April  16th  being  Good  Friday,  the 
next  ordinary  meeting  will  be  held  on   Friday,  May   21st. 


The  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  of  Chicago,  has 
recently  become  the  Medical  School  of  the  University  of 
Illinois. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1 


Special . 
AoDouQcement 


IB' 


-IN- 


MICROSCOPY. 


UBIKO  th«  IMI  few  BonttM 
I  bar*  bMD  bwj  pr«pMiii( 
■lany  xmr«  uid  norel  oltf«eli 
for  MieroioopicAl  purpows,  and 
b4T«  wrasfed  them  m  vndar  in 
mastimtod  Series. 

The  flnt  oT  th«w  is  the  Ml- 
oroseoploal  Sladiet  in  Ma- 
line  Zoology. 

The  seooDd  Seriei  (tU.:  that 
for  1800)  conriata  of  14  iplaiMUd 
praparmtioiM,  all  of  the  higheet 
poMlbla  ezoelleDoe  and  g;naranlaod 
permanent.  The  14  elides  appear 
ia  quarterly  inftallmeoti,  and  are 
accompanied  by  over  100  pages 
of  deacrlptlTe  letterpreaa, 
dealing  in  pleasant  bat  exact  man- 
ner with  the  anatomy,  Ufe-hlstn  y 
and  habits  of  the  respeotiT«>  ^nli 
Jects,  while  1 9  faU-pAge  plated 
of  fiAioto-engraTUiga,  drawn 


from  life*  make  plain  all  details. 
InclnsWe  Sabaortptlon,  SO.aS,  poat-free.    Full  Brospectos  on  appUoatloa. 
The  following  are  among  the  Slides  included  in  ttils  Series  : 


1.  OoloByoftheloTelyBadiolai1an£^A«ro- 

sown,  showing  naraaicic  algie. 
a.  The  lorely  Zoophyte  Obelia,  polype  fhlly 


40c 
36c 


Lovely  Kzpanded  Zoophyte  flsHaloKa 
7.  Opossnm-ebrimp  Jlyw,  sllowing  aodi- 


60c 


tory  oigan  in  tail  38c 

The  splendid  rare  organ-pipe  Polyawm, 

lAeheitopora  40e 

Sntirelarral  Plaice,  eye  Jnst  taming 

from  blind  side  and  6  oth«r  equally 

fine  slides.  60c 


Botany. 


expand' 

3.  StalKed  stage   of   the  larra    of    Bosy 

Feather  Star  (mtUdon)  40c 

4.  An  entire  Sea- Butterfly  {Pteropod),  40c 
6.  Lorely  expanded  Zoophyte  fijynoorytM.     40e 

The  priosa  against  each  are  thoae  at  which  the^pfeparations  are  sold  separately*  show- 
ing what  a  cheap  lot  I  ofEer  in  series  at  |6i26,  post  free.  A  few  sets  of  Series  1  stiU  aTailaMe, 
|t.26,  post  free.    Sample  Slide,  60c.,  post  f^ee. 

Prof.  J.  B.  Ainsworth  Davis,  Unirerstty  OoUege,  Aberystwith.  writes:  ** Allow  me  to 
oongratnlate  you  on  the  very  nsefkil  work  you  are  doing  by  the  publication  of  Journal,  witti 
aooompanying  slides,  which  are  noar  ADMimAJLx. 

Superb  microscopical  preparations  of  Braslllan  Lianas.— I  have 
been  unfortunate  in  obtaining  a  quantity  of  these  euperb  stems— the 
most  lorely  in  the  whole  plant  kingdom— and  have  arranged  then 
in  two  sets  of  6  each,  at  the  price  of  $1.86  per  set,  or  12.26  for  the 
two.  The  most  exquisitely  charming  slides  that  oould  possibly  be 
imagined  for  exhibinoo  at  popular  gauierings.  As  the  quantity  is 
^^-^^^— ^^^— —     Tery  limited.  I  am  unable  to  sell  ringle  sNdee. 

Ifloroseopleal  Stodlea  in  Botany.— In  answer  to  many  requests,  I  have  ar- 
ranged 90  magnifloent  preparations  in  a  series  on  similar  lines  to  that  in  marine  aook>gy  de- 
sorwed  above. 

The  firat  series  is  now  begun  and  comprises  20  highest-class  slides  (such  as  sell  singly 
at  26e  to  36c  each),  illustrated  by  descriptive  letterpress  and  90  spedally  beautiful  photo-mloro- 
grH>bs  of  the  sections. 

Subscriptions,  18.26  only,  for  all,  a  sum  which  would  be  cheap  for  the  aeries  of  illus- 
trations alone. 

Prof.  J.  W.  Oarr,  Unlverrity  College,  Nottingham,  writes :  '*Tour  Botanical  SUdei 
are  the  most  beautiAil  t  have  ever  seen.    The  following  are  among  the  slides  already  issned  in 

Tr.  sec.  fridt  of  Date  (spbadld)  35c 

*'    **    flower  of  Adb«:AelMa  80c 

Long*l.  sec.  double  flower  of  Peony  t6c 

Leaf-fkll  of  Sycamore  25c 

I  guarantee  the  perfeetion  of  all  my  mounts  and  will  be  pleated  to  send 

selections  on  approval  to  approved  correspondents. 

A   great  range  of  Miscellaneous  Zoological   and  Botanical  elides  in   stock 
at  prices  from  #1.30  per  dozen. 

Cost  of  Mailing,    z  slide,  10  cents  ;  2  slides,  15  cents  ; 
90  on.    Larffe  parcels  by  express  at  very  cheap  rates. 

SpeoialltT.  Marine  Zoology  (especially  in   expanded   Zoophytes  and   larval 
stages,  and  plant  and  flower  anatomy. 

Tomas.   Remittance  by  P.  O.  O..  draft  on  London, 


above  lines : 

1.  Tr.  sec.  flower-bud  of  Lily 

2.  "    "            do       of  Dandelion 

3.  Lonicn  sec   do       of       do 

4.  do           fhiit    of  Fig 

26c 
30c 
26o 
30c 

6. 
6 
7. 
8. 

3  slides,   ao  cents  and 


or  U.  S.  paper  currency,  the 
former  preferred.  If  wislied.  Mr.  0.  W.  Smiley.  Washington,  D.  ^..  will  hold  the 
amount  till  order  is  satisfactorily  executed.  Mr.  Smiley  has  kindly  protniaed  to 
vouch  for  the  excellency  of  the  slides  and  will  give  references  to  U.  8.  Microacop- 
ists  who  have  been  well  satisfied  with  my  preparations. 

JAMES  HORNELL, 


Biological  Station,  Jersey,  IngUnd. 


Specislial  i«  M  icrosoopioal  If  ountiag. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


^_  -J 


AHH#NOL 

3n  £a  (Brippe 

behaves  as  a  stimulant  as  Well  as  an    Jl  f%  Vl  w  %^Ji  t^Vti^ 

IIPIMI  InitVd't  Q^^  t  (X  ^^  differing  from  other  Coal- 
tar  products.  It  has  been  used  in  the  relief  of  rheijmatism  and  neuralgic 
pains  and  in  the  treatment  of  the  sequels  of  alcoholic  excess.  AMMONOL 
IS  also  prepared  in  the  form  of  salicylate,  bromide,  and  lithiate.  The  pres- 
ence or  Ammonia,  in  a  more  or  less  free  state,  gives  it  additional  properties 
as  an  expectorant,  diuretic  and  corrective  of  hyperacidity. — London  Lancet, 

She.  ^Stimulant 

AMMONOL  is  one  ofthe  derivativei  of  Coal-tar,  and  differs  from  the  numerous  sim> 
ilar  product!  in  that  it  contains  Ammonia  in  active  form.  As  a  result  of  this,  AMMO- 
N  OL  possesses  marked  stimulating  and  expectorant  properties.  The  well-known  cardiac 
depression  induced  by  other  Antipyretics  has  frequently  prohibited  their  use  in  otherwise 
suitable  cases.  The  introduci  jn  of  a  similar  drue,  possessed  of  stimulating  properties, 
Is  an  event  of  much  lmp%  tance.  AMMONOL  possesses  marked  anti-neuraljic 
properties,  and  it  is  claimed  to  *'e  especially  useful  in  cases  of  dysmenorrboea*— 7%^  Jlc^ 
ical  Magazine ^  London. 

Ammonol  may  be  obtained  from  all  Leading  Druggists.    Send  for  "Atnmonol  Ex- 
cerpta,"  a  48-page  pamphlet. 


THE  AMMONOL  CHEMICAL  CO., 

NEW  YORK,  U.  d.  A. 


FOR   SALE--"Microscope,  Bausch  and  Lomb's  Harvard  stand  t^ith 

%  and  1-5  odjectives  and  one  and  two  inch  eye,  double  nose  piece,  slides, 

etc.,  in   fact  a   complete   first-class  outfit;   nearly  new;  price  very  low. 

Write  for  particulars  to 

S.    A.    BROOKS,    ]VI.    D., 
Springfield,  N.  Y.       ' 

Sixth   Edition  of 

THE    MICROSCOPE 

AND    MlGROSOOPIOALw    MELTtiODS. 
BY  SIMON   HENRY  GAGE. 

Professor  of  Microscopy.  Histology  and  Embryology  in  Cornell  Unlverai^  and  the  Kew 
York  SUte  veterinary  College,  ItEacA,  N.  Y.  U.  a  A. 
The  figures  have  been  iucreeaed  firom  103  to  166.    In  matter  this  edition  hae  grown  from  16S  to  287 
pages.    This  increase  is  dae  to  additions  in  the  text  of  prerions  editions  and  to  some  wholly  new 
upon,  methods  of  isolation  and  of  sectioning  by  the  collodion  and  by  the  paraffln  methods,  the  pn 
of  drawings  for  publication  and  lecture  room  diagram.    PRICE  fl.60  POST  PAID.    Gomstock  1 
two  Co.,  Ithaca,  N.  T. 


ifkrepaimtioQ 


Digitized  by 


Google 


JUL    8     1307 


to 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1 1  i  lldfii 

e»    ^    oi    ci         ^         io<Di^ 


C/) 
LU 
I 
C/) 


O 
c/) 

UJ 

< 

O 
c/) 


§■  .  ji  ^  s  i 

ili^l  ml 

Sa.s     ©"s     a     a     a     S 
O         mABdSHHHH 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE    AMERICAN 

MONTHLY 

MICROSCOPICAL     JOURNAL 


Vol.  XVIII.  MAY.  1897.  No.  5 


Notes  on  Some  New,  or  Presumably  New,  Infusoria. 

By  J.  C.  SMITH, 

NEW  ORLEANS,  LA. 

(Contiuued  from  Page  117  of  last  Month's  Journal.) 

Family. — Anisonemidaj.  S.  K. 

Genus. — Entosiphon   Htien. 

Species. — Entosiphon  emarginata.  (fig.  12.) 
Body  subobovate;  less  than  twice  as  long  as  wide;  an- 
terior extremity  slightly  emarginate  and  flexed  towards 
the  ventrum;  posterior  extremity  obtusely  pointed;  the 
right  hand  half  of  the  anterior  border  slightly  concave; 
dorsum  convex  and  smooth;  ventrum  plane;  oval  aperture 
at  apex  of  anterior  emargination;  pharyngeal  tube  exten- 
ding in  a  median  line  from  the  oval  aperture  through  two 
thirds  of  the  body  length;  flagella  originating  together 
and  to  the  right  of  the  oval  aperture;  the  anterior  one 
equal  to  one  body  length  and  the  posterior  one  to  two 
body  lengths;  contractile  vesicle  conspicuous  and  located 
in  the  anterior  half  just  below  the  dextral  concavity;  nuc- 
leus round  and  subcentral;  endoplasm  bluish  and  granu- 
lar in  posterior  body  half;  locomotion  as  Entosiphon 
sulcatus.  Duj.  Size  1-1833  inch.  Habitat — Pond  water 
with  algsB.     Longitudinal  fission. 

This  minute  specimen  of  the  genus  resembles  very 
much  in  outline  the  Anisoneroa  pusilla  of  Dr.  Stokes,  but 
the  resemblance  goes  no  further.  The  pharyngeal  tube 
i%  protusile  and  this  is  made  very  apparent  when  the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


142  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [May 

iofusorian  is  pressing  up  against  debris,  in  the  act  of 
feeding.  The  movement  of  the  body  during  natation  is 
the  same  smooth  even  glide  of  the  genus.  This  form  has 
been  found  quite  abundant  at  times  and  but  once  has  re- 
production been  observed — the  process  occupying  about 
one  hour. 

Family. — Enchelyidae.  S.  K. 

Genus. — Enchelys.  Ehr. 

Species. — Enchelys  audobonii.  (fig.  13.) 

Body  obovate,  the  anterior  border  produced  in  a  snout- 
like  manner,  subcylindrical,  soft  and  changeable  in  shape 
more  than  twice  as  long  as  wide;  entirely  and  sparingly 
ciliate;  oral  aperture  apical,  cleft-like  and  continued  med- 
icosely  for  about  one-sixth  of  the  body  length,  as  a  con- 
spicuous, non-plicate,  wedge-shaped  membraneous  phar- 
ynx; oral  cilia  much  longer,  heavier  and  more  numerous 
than  the  body  cilia;  a  single  hair-like  seta  extending  from 
the  posterior  border  as  long  as  one-half  the  body  length; 
contractile  vesicle  round,  conspicuous  and  located  in  pos- 
terior third,  nucleus  round  and  subcentral;  endoplasm 
granular  and  of  a  greenish  tint,  usually  containing  food 
balls.  Reproduction  by  transverse  fission;  conjugatiou 
by  the  application  of  the  oral  apertures.  Locomotion 
rapid  and  by  revolution  on  Ipng  axis.  Size  1-600  to  1-460 
inch.  Habitat—Pond  water  with  decayed  leaves  from 
Audobon  Park,  New  Orleans,  La. 

This  infusorian  was  found  in  great  abundance  a  num- 
ber of  times  in  pond  water  taken  from  Audobon  Park. 
While  the  most  persistent  shape  is  obovate  it  is,  like  En- 
chelys farcimen  Ehr.,  subject  to  many  changes  of  form 
from  an  ovate  to  almost  globular.  The  oral  aperture 
forms  the  base  of  the  wedge-shape  pharynx  and  is  per- 
sistently open.  It  is  a  greedy  scavenger.  The  writer 
has  a  number  of  times  observed  a  dozen  or  more  surround- 
ing some  dead  form  ravenously  devouring  it.     The  elas* 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  143 

ticity  and  capaciousneHS  of  the  oral  aperture  and  pharynx 
has  been  often  demonstrated  by  the  engulphiug  of  parti- 
cles of  food  twice  the  size  of  the  infusorian.  The  caudal 
seta  is  difficult  to  see  excepting  when  the  infusorian  is 
quiet. 

Family. — Prorodontidae.  S.  K. 

Genus. — Holophrya.   Ehr. 

Species. — Holophrya  pogonias.  (fig.   14.) 

Body  ovate,  subcylindrical,  exceedingly  elastic  and 
changeable  in  shape;  twice  as  long  as  wide;  posterior 
evenly  rounded,  anterior  transversely  truncate  and  in- 
cluding oval  aperture;  body  entirely  and  finely  ciliate; 
coarsely  striated  longitudinally;  oral  and  body  cilia  not 
diverse;  a  supplementary  fasicle  of  extra-oral  cilia  situa- 
ted jui»t  below  the  oral  aperture;  these  cilia  much  heavier 
(not  setose)  and  about  three  times  longer  than  the  body 
cilia;  projecting  upwards  and  some  distance  above  the 
oral  aperture;  contractile  vesicle  round,  conspicuous  and 
centrally  located;  nucleus  botuliform  and  placed  longitu- 
dinally alongside  the  contractile  vesicle;  endopiasm  gran- 
ular, of  a  yellowish  tint  and  usually  containing  large  food 
balls;  locomotion  in  a  wabbling  manner  by  revolution  on 
long  axis.  Size  1-150  inch.  Habitat—Brackish  water  from 
Lake  Pontchar train. 

The  writer  has  some  doubts  as  to  the  position  of  this 
form  and  has  placed  it  among  the  Prorodontidse  provisi- 
onally. In  its  habits  and  general  appearance  it  resembles 
the  Holophrya,  but  the  presence  of  the  extra-oral  cilia 
may  prevent  its  being  placed  among  this  family. 

Family. — ColpidsB.     Ehr. 

Geuus. — Coleps.     Stien. 

Species. — Coleps  striata,  (fig.   15.) 

Body  subovate,  cylindrical,  slightly  elastic  but  persis- 
tent in  shape;  less  than  twice  as  long  as  wide;  anterior 


Digitized  by 


Google 


144  THB  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [May 

transversely  truncate  and  including  oral  aperture;  pos- 
terior evenly  rounded;  heavily  striate  longitudinally;  the 
spaces  intervening  finely  and  closely  striate  transversely 
oral  cilia  longer  than  body  cilia,  but  not  setose;  contrac- 
tile vesicle  large  and  postero-terminal;  nucleus  roundish 
and  sub-central;  oval  aperture  to  one  side  and  just  above 
the  contractile  vesicle;  endoplasni  granular;  locomotion 
even  and  by  revolution  on  long  axis.  Size  1-500  inch. 
Habitat — Fountain  water  with  aquatic  plants. 

This  form  would,  if  it  possessed  the  setose  oral  cilia, 
certainly  be  classed  as  a  Plagiapogon-  Ehrenberg.  The 
very  heavy  longitudinal  striation,  which  are  almost  band 
like  in  this  new  form,  and  the  fine  transverse  striation  of 
the  intervening  spaces  are  also  characteristic  of  the  genus 
Plagiapogon.  In  its  habits  it  is  the  same  scavenger  that 
the  Coleps  hirtus  is. 

Family. — Lembid®.  S.  K. 

Oenus. — Lembus.  Colin. 

Species. — Lembus    attenuata.  (fig.  16.) 

Body  elongate,  subeylindrical;  elastic  but  persistent  in 
shape:  about  six  times  as  long  as  widest  part;  widest  at 
the  center  and  tapering  to  both  extremities;  anterior 
transversely  truncate;  posterior  ending  in  a  sharp  point, 
an  undulating  membrane  and  a  furrow  commencing  just 
behind  the  anterior  border  and  extending  backward  to 
the  oral  aperture,  which  is  situated  at  the  junction  of 
the  first  and  second  body  fourths;  body  sparingly  clothed 
with  cilia  and  these  cilia  as  long  as  the  widest  central 
part  of  the  body;  oral  cilia  same  size  as  body  cilia  but 
more  numerous;  undulating  membrane  capacious  and 
extending  as  far  out  as  distal  ends  of  oral  cilia;  contrac- 
tile vesicle  conspicuous  and  situated  centrally  near  the 
ventrum;  endoplasm  bluish  and  semi-opaque,  locomotion 
vermicular. 

Size  1-326  inch.   Habitat-Stale  pond  water. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOUKJNAL.  145 

So  far  a8  the  writer  knows  this  is  the  first  fresh-water 
member  of  the  family  recorded. 

Family. — DysteriidsB.  S.  K. 

Genus. — Trochilia,  Dujardin. 

Species. — Trochilia  fluviatilis.  (fig.  IT.) 
Body  subelliptical;  almost  twice  as  long  as  wide;  cara- 
pace single,  dorsum  broadly  convex;  anterior  obliquely 
truacate  to  ventram,  posterior  rounded;  ventrum  plane 
and  clothed  with  fine  short  cilia;  a  movable  sty  late  ap- 
pendage originating  in  the  posterior  third  of  the  ventrum 
and  projecting  to  a  short  distance  beyond  the  posterior 
border;  projecting  from,  and  within  the  anterior  trun- 
cation, are  numerous  fine  vibratile  cilia;  this  truncation 
also  includes  the  oral  aperture  and  proceeding  backward 
from  this  aperture  is  a  tubular  pharynx  which  continues 
directly  upwards,  through  three  fourths  of  the  body 
length;  this  pharynx  is  protusile;  contractile  vesicles, 
three,  two  located  in  the  anterior  body  half,  above  the 
pharynx  and  hear  the  dorsum  and  one  in  the  posterior 
body  half  below  the  pharynx  and  near  the  ventrum;  nuc- 
leus not  observed, — obscure  ;  endoplsam,  bluish  and  very 
often  vacuolar,  size  1-850  inch.  Habitat,  Pond  water 
with  aquatic  plants,  ponds  connected  with  the  Missis- 
sippi river. 

For  one  month  the  writer  got  a  number  of  dips  from  a 
pond  in  Audobon  Park,  New  Orleans,  and  in  almost  every 
one  of  the  numerous  examinations  made  of  this  water, 
were  found  an  abundance  of  this  form.  They  move 
about  and  through  debris  piles  very  much  as  an  Aspi- 
disca.  In  no  single  instance,  when  they  were  examined 
closely  and  measured,  was  there  the  slighest  diflference 
jn  shape  or  size.  While  the  truncated  anterior  was 
pressed  against  a  heap  the  tubular  pharynx  could  be 
seen  distinctly  to  move  forwards,  as  is  observed  in  the 
case  of   Entosiphon    sulcatus,    Duj.    Unfortunately    the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


146  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [May 

nucleus  could  not  be  observed  even  after  the  most  care- 
ful search  and  the  application  of  the  usual  reagents.     In  . 
some  samples  examined  all  the  forms    under    the^  cover 
glass  were  densely  vacuolated. 

Family. — Onytrichid®.  S.  K. 

Genus.~Stichotricha.     Perty. 

Species. — Stichotricha  opisthotonoides.  (fig.  18.) 

Body  elongate;  somewhat  club  shaped,  the  anterior 
two  thirds  attenuate,  three  limes  as  long  as  the  widest 
part;  highly  elastic  but  persistent  in  shape;  addicted  to 
curving  backwards;  peristome  channel-like  and  extend- 
ing from  the  apex  to  the  posterior  body  third  and  there 
curved  towards  the  left  hand  body  border,  the  peristome 
cilia  long  and  heavy  diminishing  in  size  as  they  approach 
the  oral  aperture;  the  left  hand  border  of  the  peristome 
finely  ciliated  and  bearing  a  conspicuous  undulating 
membrane,  marginal  setae  on  the  anterior  half  of  the  sin- 
istral border  and  on  the  posterior  border;  two  oblique 
rows  of  small  ventral  setje  extending  from  the  sinistral 
to  posterior  setas;  contractile  vesicle  conspicuous,  located 
in  the  posterior  third  and  in  contact  with  the  left  hand 
border  which  it  extends  at  each  expansion;  nucleus,  two, 
ovate  and  situated  one  in  each  body  half;  locomotion 
eccentric.     Size  1-450  inch. 

Habitat— Old  infusion  of  aquatic  plants  in  ditch  water. 

The  writer  had  under  observation  quite  a  large  num- 
ber of  this  new  form  and  they  were  all  addicted  to  the 
habit  of  bending  the  anterior  attenuate  body  half  back- 
wards as  if  in  great  pain;  it  was  this  peculiar  habit  that 
suggested  its  specific  name.  While  in  this  act  the  undu- 
lating membrane  is  thrown  out  from  the  body  border  to 
a  considerable  distance.  The  writer  has  never  seen 
recorded  that  any  of  this  genus  possessed  an  undulating 
membrane  «Mn(l  believes  this  species  stands  alone  in  this 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18971 


MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL. 


14T 


respect.  The  Stlchotricha  secanda — Party,  andStichot- 
richa  aculeata — Wrz,  are  often  seen  in  the  pond  waters 
in  New  Orleans  and  bear  only  a  superficial  resem  blance 
to  this  form. 

Family. — Oxytrichidae.   S.  K. 

Genus. — Oxytricha.  Ehr. 

Species. — Oxytricha  furcatus.  (fig.  19.) 

Body  elliptical,  both  extremities  evenly  rounded;  very 


ufflWi 


12. — Entosiphon  emarginata.  x  1300. 
13.— Enchclys  audobonii.    x  500. 
14.— Holophrya  pogonias.    x  150. 
15  — Coleps  striata,    x  375. 
16. — Lembus  attenuata.    x  730. 
17.— Trochilia  fluviatilis.    x  740. 
18.— Stichotricha  opisthotouoides     a 
19.— Orytricha  furcatas.    x  225. 


^75. 


soft  and  flexible,  less  than  two  and  a  half  times  as  long 
as  wide;  the  left  hand  border  slightly  concave  anteriorly 
lip  crescentic  and  conspicuous;  peristome  extending  to 
centre  of  body  and  strongly  curved  to  oral  aperture;  the 
right  hand  border  of  peristome  bearing  an  undulating 
membrane;  frontal  styles,  eight  and  arranged  as  on  Sty- 
tonychia  mytilus,  Ehr.;  the  three  most  anterior  uncinate, 
and  the  remaining  five  furcated;  ventral  series  arranged 
as  on  Stytonychia  mytilus,  Ehr.,    and  all   furcated;  anal 


Digitized  by 


Google 


148  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [May 

styles,  five,  fimbriated  at  their  distal  ends  and  all,  but 
the  one  nearest  the  left  hand  budy  border;  projecting  be- 
yond the  posterior  marginal  set©  continuous,  heavier 
and  longer  posteriorly;  contractile  vesicle  located  at  the 
centre  of  the  left  hand  body  border;  nucleus,  two,  elon- 
gate, one  in  each  body  half.  Size. from  1-200  to  1-150 
inch.  Habitat — Old  infusion  of  rose  fission  petals. 
Transverse. 

This  form  was  found  exceedingly  abundant  in  an  old 
infusion  of  rose  petals,  feeding  ravenously  on  the  very 
abundant  bacteria.  Many  of  them  seemed  so  gorged 
with  food  that  they  moved  about  very  lazily,  affording 
the  writer  a  good  opportunity  for  their  observation. 
The  fine  inferior  frontal  siylesand  all  of  the  ventral  ser- 
ies were  invariably  furcated  to  within  almost  their 
origin;  bifurcated  usually,  a  few  specimens  distinctly 
tri-furcated.  In  a  few  specimens  the  three  superior  of 
the  frontal  series  were  bifurcated  and  in  some  rare  in- 
stances an  odd  one  or  two  of  the  marginal  series  were 
bifurcated.  The  distal  ends  of  all  of  the  anal  series,  for 
about  one  fifth  of  their  length,  were  distinctly  and  uni- 
formally  fimbriated. 

Supplementary  Note  Upon  Actinomonas  Primus. 

An  infusorian  somewhat  similar  to  this  form  is  de- 
scribed by  Dr.  Gruberunderthe  title  ofDimor[>ha  mulans.* 
In  its  flagellate  condition,  the  1).  mutans  resembles  a 
Heteromita,  having  an  anterior  vibratile  and  a  posterior 
trailing  flagella.  In  its  Heliozoan  stale  the  pseudopodal 
rays  equal  from  two  to  three  diamaters  of  the  zooid  and 
decussate. 

Errata:  Wherever  the  woid  "Ventiiim"  appears  read  "Ventral 
Surface." 

In  femily  Anisomidre,  Species  Diplomastix  rostrum,  read  **roetrato8"  for 
rostrum. 

lu  family  Aiiiaoraidoc,  Spt»cie  Entosiphon  emarginata.  reverse  the  figure, 
making  the  right  hand  liorderthe  left  hand.  Contractile  Vesicle  followiDg 
the  change;  the  figure  .should  l>e  turned  over.  In  the  diagonosis  of  this 
Hpecies  where  the  word  right  or  dextral  appears  read   '*left"  or  '■Sinistral.'' 

^Appendix  to  vul.  II  Kent's  Manual  of  the  Infusoria. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  149 

Preparation  of  Culture  Media  with  Special  Reference  to 
Sterilization. 

By  Raymond  C.  Reed,  Ph,  B. 

[Aasistaot  in  the  Department  of  Comparative   Pathology  and   Bacteriology, 

New  York  State  Veterinary  College,  CorDell  University,  Ithaca,  N.  Y.] 

The  amount  of  culture  media  used  by  the  students  in 
a  bacteriological  laboratory  is  so  great  that  its  prepara- 
tion after  the  method  given  in  the  text  books  occupies 
an  undue  proportion  of  the  time  allotted  to  this  subject. 
If  it  is  prepared  by  an  assistant  and  furnished  to  the 
students  it  not  only  takes  much  of  his  time,  but  it  de- 
prives the  student  of  the  opportunity  of  learning  one  of 
the  most  important  processes  necessary  for  successful 
work  in  bacteriology.  Hence  any  change  which  will 
shorten  the  time  required  for  its  preparation  will  be  of 
value.  When  it  is  prepared  by  the  usual  method  rec- 
ommended in  text  books  on  Bacteriology  at  least  three 
days  are  necessary  to  complete  the  process  of  steriliza- 
tion. The  method  of  sterilizing  by  which  the  media  is 
heated  to  a  somewhat  higher  temperature  than  100°  C. 
by  means  of  superheated  steam  is  open  to  the  objection 
that  the  nutritive  properties  are  impaired  to  a  greater  or 
less  extent  for  certain  species  of  bacteria. 

In  1890  Moore*  published  a  paper  giving  the  method 
employed  in  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry  for  snaking 
nutritiveagarand  which  seems  to  be  the  one  recommended, 
with  slight  variations  as  to  details,  in  the  greater  num- 
ber of  bacteriologies.  The  two  most  important  changes 
suggested  were,  (1)  that  when  the  agar  was  made  from 
meat  infusion  instead  of  meat  extract,  it  siiould  be  pre- 
pared from  bouillon  which  could  be  made  up  in  quanti- 
ties and  kept  stored  in  flasks  as  stock  ready  for  use.  This 
applies  not  only  to  the  making  of  agar  but   also   gelatin 

*The  Preparation  of  Nutntive  Agar.  By  V.  A.  Moore,  M.  D.,  Anieri- 
caD  Microscopical  Journal,  May,  IHIM). 


Digitized  by 


Google 


150  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [May 

or  any  other  medium  which  requires  a  meat  infusion  for 
its  nutritive  base.  (2)  That  the  agar  should  be  cut  up  in 
small  pieces  and  dissolved  in  a  liquid  which  contains  no 
coagulable  material  before  it  is  added  to  the  bouillon. 
This  is  done  by  using  the  proportion  of  five  grams  of 
agar,  finely  chopped,  to  100  c.  c.  of  water  and  boiling  in 
an  agate  iron  dish  over  a  direct  flame  with  constant  stir- 
ring. I  have  found,  however,  that  it  is  more  satisfactory 
to  boil  the  agar  in  a  closed  w^ater  bath.  This  takes  not 
to  exceed  twenty  minutes  longer  and  as  there  is  no  dan- 
ger of  the  agar  burning  the  stirring  and  constant  atten- 
tion required  when  it  is  dissolved  over  a  flame  is  unnec- 
essary. By  this^  method  the  agar  is  completely  dissolved 
and  a  medium  of  a  known  consistency  can  always  be  made. 

In  1892  Schultz,*  of  the  Johns  Hopkins  Hospital,  de- 
scribed a  rapid  method  of  making  agar  which  requires 
but  one  hour  for  the  whole  process.  For  this  he  uses 
meat  extract  which  gives  a  medium  favorable  for  the 
growth  of  some  organisms  but  not  for  others.  He  also 
gives  a  method  by  which  the  agar  may  be  made  from 
meat  infusion  taking  but  an  hour  and  a  half. 

The  following  method  of  preparing  media  has  proved 
very  satisfactory  and  in  my  hands  more  so  than  the  one 
described  by  ScUultz  although  his  process  has  many  ad- 
vantages. 

The  preparatio7i  of  peptofiized  houiiioii. — To  1000  grams 
of  finely  chopped  or  ground  meat  (beef  or  veal)  add  2000 
c.  c.  of  distilled  water.  Put  in  an  agate  iron  dish  and 
heat  in  a  water  bath  at  a  temi)erature  of  from  60°  to  65° 
C  for  two  hours  or  allow  it  to  macerate  in  a  cool  place 
for  24  hours.  Strain  through  a  coarse  cloth  and  bring 
the  amount  of  liquid  up  to  2000  c.  c.  by  adding  water  if 
necessary.     To  this  infusion  add  |  per  cent  peptone    and 

*A  Rapid  Method  of  Making  Agar-agar.      By  John  L.    Sc^hultz.      John's 
Hopkins  Hospital  Bulletin, No.  -24,  July— Aug.,  1HJ)2. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  151 

i  per  cent  sodium  chloride  and  if  a  neutral  or  alkaline 
medium  is  desired  add  enough  of  a  1  per  cent  solution 
of  caustic  soda  to  bring  about  the  required  reaction.  Boil 
in  a  water  bath  for  half  an  hour.  Cool  and  filter  through 
ordinary  filter  paper  and  distribute  in  sterilized  flasks. 
The  amount  in  each  flask  is  to  be  determined  by  the  work 
in  the  laboratory.  I  have  found  500  c.  c.  a  convenient 
quantity. 

Preparation  of  nutrie?it  ^^^r. —Dissolve  5  grams  of 
finely  cut  agar  in  about  100  c.  c.  of  water.  This  may  be 
done  in  either  of  two  ways,  by  heating  over  a  direct  flame 
for  about  ten  minutes  with  constant  stirring  to  prevent 
burning  or  by  heating  in  a  closed  water  bath  until  the 
whole  mass  becomes  gelatinous.  The  agar  is  then  added 
to  500  c.  c.  of  bouillon,  thoroughly  mixed  with  it  and 
boiled  in  a  water  bath  for  twenty  minutes.  It  is  then 
cooled  down  to  45^  to  50°  C.  and  the  whites  of  two  eggs 
added  and  thoroughly  mixed  with  the  agar.  It  is  then 
returned  to  the  water  bath  and  boiled  for  from  twenty 
to  thirty  minutes.  The  albumen  will  then  be  collected 
in  a  firm  coagulum  containing  any  insoluble  particles 
that  may  have  been  in  the  agar,  leaving  a  perfectly  clear 
liquid.  It  is  filtered  while  hot  through  ordinary  filter 
paper,  the  filtration  taking  place  rapidly  without  the  aid 
of  a  hot  filtering  apparatus.  The  filtrate  is  then  distrib- 
uted in  tubes  which  have  been  previously  plugged  with 
absorbent  cotton  and  sterilized. 

Preparation  of  nutrient  gelatin — To  500  c.  c.  of  bouil- 
lon add  50  grams  of  gelatin  and  heat  in  a  water  bath 
until  the  gelatin  is  dissolved.  Cool  to  about  45""  C.  and 
and  the  whites  of  two  eggs,  mix  thoroughly.  This  is 
done  most  rapidly  and  efi'ectually  by  pouring  the  liquid 
several  times  from  one  dish  to  another.  Then  boil  in 
a  water  bath  for  twenty  minutes.  Filter  through  ordin- 
ary filter  paper  and  distribute  in  sterilized  tubes.      Care 


Digitized  by 


Google 


152  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [May 

must  be  taken  not  to  boil  gelatin  too  long  or  it  will  lose 
its  property  of  solidifying  when  cold. 

Sterilization  of  Media.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  pro- 
cess of  preparing  culture  media  up  to  the  point  of  steril- 
ization is  practically  the  same  as  that  described  in  recent 
text  books  on  bacteriology.  The  method  is  short  and  by 
having  the  nutritive  medium  prepared  and  kept  in  stock 
the  preparation  up  to  this  point  of  either  agar  or  gelatin 
is  very  simple.  The  essential  time  consuming  part  of 
the  process  is  the  sterilization.  Although  this  has  now 
been  reduced  from  the  boiling  on  six  consecutive  days  to 
three,  it  is  still  an  important  element  in  lal)oratory  work 
especially  where  students  are  present  but  two  or  three 
days,  usually  alternating,  in  each  week. 

During  the  past  two  terms  I  have  made  a  considerable 
number  of  experiments  for  the  purpose  of  determining 
if  it  is  necessary  in  order  to  secure  complete  sterilization 
to  boil  media,  when  distributed  in  small  quantities  in 
tubes,  for  three  consecutive  days.  In  these  experiments 
I  have  found  that  one  boiling  for  a  slightly  longer  time, 
thirty  minutes,  seems  to  be  all  that  is  necessary  to  ster- 
ilize bouillon,  nutrient  agar  and  nutrient  gelatin  distrib- 
uted in  either  small  or  large  tubes.  After  distributing 
the  medium  the  tubes  were  put  in  a  closed  water  bath 
and  boiled  vigorously  for  thirty  minutes.  At  the  expir- 
ation of  that  time  they  were  taken  out  and  placed  in  an 
incubator  where  they  were  allowed  to  remain  for  several 
days,  when  it  was  a  simple  matter  to  sort  out  and  reject 
any  tubes  that  may  have  been  contaminated.  As  will 
be  seen  from  the  appended  tables,  giving  the  results  of 
these  experiments,  contaminations  have  been  very  rare. 
In  fact  they  have  not  been  much  il  any  more  numerous 
than  they  were  when  the  three  regular  boilings  were  em- 
ployed. Although  several  of  the  agar  and  gelatin  tubes 
were  not  sterilized,  they  were  contaminated  with  a  spore 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897] 


MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL. 


153 


bearing  bacillus  which  has  not  infrequently  appeared   in 
media  boiled  tor  ten  minutes  on  three  consecutive  days. 


STERILIZATION   OF   BOUILLON  WITH  ONE  BOILING. 


Date. 


Jmn.  9. 1897 
Jmn.  H.  1897 
Jmn.  14,  1897 


40 
80 
14 

32 


Feb.  5.  1897 

Feb.  II,  1897  I  35 

Mar.  5.  1897  I  46 

Apr.  6. 1897  I  45 


9 
o 

e 

< 


7C  c... 
7  c.  c. 
25  c.  c... 

7  c.  c. 
7C.C  .. 
7C 


a 


30  min.. 
30  min.. 
30  min.. 


30  ram 7 

30  rain I  6 

,  _    30  min 7 

7  c.  c '  30  min ;  5 


II 


^1 
II 


Remarks 


Fermentation  tabes  with  o»% 
per  cent,  glucose. 


STERILIZATION  OF   AGAR  WITH  ONE   BOILING. 


Date. 


Jan.  22,  1897 


Jan.  27.  1897 
Feb.  5.1897 
Feb  13, 1897 
Mar.  16, 1897 
BCar.  37,  1897 
Apr.   6. 1897 


II 


50 


48 
81 
14 
25 
4i 
4o 


I 


7  c.  c j  30  min., 


I 

i 

7  c.  c ,  30  min.. 

7  c.  c 30  min.. 

7  c.c 30  min.. 

7C.  c 30  min.. 

7  c  c 30  min.. 

7  c.  c i  30  min.. 


Is 


Q  2 


Remarks. 


Bach  or  the  three  tubes  con- 
tained a  spore  beariuKbacil- 
lus  belonging  to  the^.  Mubt- 
His  group. 
Same  as  above. 


STERILIZATION    OF    TUBES  OF   AGAR  CONTAINING  A  LAR- 
GER QUANTITY   FOR   MAKING  PLATE  CULTURES. 


Date. 


Dec.  39. 1896 
Jan.  27. 1897 
Feb.    5,  1897  j 
Mar.  16, 1897 
Mar.  37, 1R97  | 


82 


30 
26 

»5 
35 
43 


Apr.  6. 1897  I    40 


12  c.  c 30  min 

15  c.  c 30  min. 

15  c  c 40  min 

tS  c.  C 30  min 

18  c.c 30  min 

18  c  c '  30  min 


I  • 


S2 


tii  'O 

2  S 

•o  a 

^  o 


7 
6 
7 
7 


Remarks. 


o     Led  at  room  temp,  for  10  days 


iSpore  bearing  baciUus  be- 
longing to  the  B.  subtUit 
group. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


154 


THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY 


[May 


STERILIZATION   OF   GELATIN   WITH  ONE  BOILING. 


Dec.  29,  1H96 

Feb.  19,  1897 

Mar.  x8.  1897 

Do -.. 


Mar.  13.  1*97 

Do 

Mar.  as.  1897 


X 

d  bt> 

II 

0( 
V 

n  3 

t 

1 

ja  c 

li 

at 

11 

Remarks. 

a  ** 
55 

•< 

s 

II 

d2 
^8 

30 

lac.  c 

30  min 

0 

LeA  at  room  temp 

for  14  days 

30 

15c.  c 

30  mm 

7 
7 

7 

0 

18C.C  .... 
7C.  c 

30  miu  — 
30  min  — 

0 

I 

aS* 

Contained    a    spore  bearin£ 

bacillus  belonnnff 

to  the  B. 

suUau  group. 

10 

i8c  c... 

7C.  c 

7C  c  .... 

30  min 

30  min.... 
30  min  — 

7 

0 

0 

0 

36 

35 

If  spore  bearing  bacilli  are  present  in  large  numbers 
more  difficulties  might  be  experienced.  But  ordinarily 
if  the  medium  is  prepared  with  proper  care  and  distrib- 
uted as  soon  as  filtered,  in  sterile  tubes  and  boiled  at  cm  e 
very  few  contaminations  are  likely  to  occur. 

The  time  that  must  elaspe  before  the  medium  can  be 
safely  used  is  not  so  much  shorter  than  when  the  custom- 
ary method  is  employed  but  the  time  actually  spent  in 
sterilizing  is  much  shorter.  In  a  crowded  laboratory  this 
is  important.  It  probably  is  not  necessary  to  leave  the 
media  iu  the  incubator  from  five  to  seven  days  as  I  have 
indicated  in  the  above  tables  for  in  every  case  of  con- 
tamination the  growth  took  place  within  the  first  twenty 
four  hours. 

I  am  not  prepared  to  say  that  this  method  is  the  best 
or  that  it  is  safe  for  all  kinds  of  work,  but  it  has  proved 
to  be  well  adapted  to  the  needs  in  a  student  laboratory 
and  to  save  much  valuable  time  for  both  the  student  and 
the  teacher. 

Prof.  Hankine,  one  of  the  leaders  in  sanitary  work 
in  India,  contracted  plague  a  few  weeks  ago,  but  fortu- 
nately the  attack  was  not  severe  and  he  recovered.  He 
was  inoculated  with  Hatfkine't  serum. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  155 

The  Index  of  Refraction. 

By  Dr.  B.  L.  RAWLINS, 

DILLAS,    TEXAS. 

A  ready,  fairly  accurate  and  practical  method  of  deter- 
mining the  index  of  refraction  of  liquids,  and  transpar- 
ent solids  with  plane  parallel  sides,  would  be  of  interest 
possibly  to  the  majority  of  workers. 

The  works  on  optics  and  the  elementary  treatises  on 
how  to  work  with  the  microscope,  Jipparently  lose  sight 
of  the  necessity  for  something  practical,  in  giving  us  com- 
plicated formulas  aud  describing  expensive  instruments 
for  determining  this  index. 

It  is  with  this  apology  that  the  writer  offers  this  arti- 
cle, feeling  sure  that  the  same  thing  must  have  occurred 
to  many,  although  he  has  never  seen  this  method  pub- 
lished. 

As  in  passing  from  a  rarer  to  a  denser  medium,  a  ray 
of  light  is  deflected  in  a  definite  direction  from  its  im- 
raergent  course,  likewise  is  the  apparent  distance  through 
the  denser  medium  less  than  the  real  distance. 

As  the  ratio  of  the  sin.  of  the  angle  of  incidence  to 
the  sin.  of  the  angle  of  refraction  is  constant,  likewise  is 
the  ratio  of  the  apparent  distance  through  the  denser 
medium  to  its  real  distance  invariable. 

From  experiment  it  is  found  that  as  many  times  greater 
than  the  sin.  of  the  angle  of  refraction  is  the  sin.  of  the 
angle  of  incidence,  so  many  times  greater  is  the  real  dis- 
tance through  the  denser  medium,  than  the  apparent 
distance. 

For  exam}>le  the  angle  of  refraction  of  water  is  1.333: 
the  apparent  depth  of  a  volume  of  water  one  and  one- 
third  feet  in  actual  depth,  is  one  foot. 

Assuming  that  the  worker  interested  in  this  subject  is 
^possessed  of  a  microscoj)e  with  accurate  adjustment  and 
a  g'raduated  micro-millimeter  fine  adjustment  screw,  he 


Digitized  by 


Google 


156  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [May 

needs  but  a  slide  with  a  flat  cell  cemented  on  it,  and  a 
plate  cover  glass  in  order  to  do  the  work.  Perhaps  the 
most  convenient  thing  is  the  slide  that  goes  with  the 
Z«*iss-Thoma  blood  counter.  This  has  a  circular  cell 
cemented  onto  the  slip,  with  a  central  cross  lined  disc, 
which  forms  an  elevated  platform  in  the  centre  of  the 
cell,  leaving  a  groove  to  catch  any  excecs  of  liquid,  in 
order  that  it  may  not  flow  between  the  topof  the  cell  and 
cover  glass. 

In  making  the  examination,  the  rules  accompanying 
this  instrument  must  be  strictly  regarded,  in  order  to  in- 
sure direct  contact  with  the  cover  and  top  of  cell.  That 
is,  when  a  minute  drop  has  been  placed  on  the  platform 
and  covered  with  the  accompanying  plate  glass  cover, 
the  newtoniau  rings  must  appear,  otherwise  a  bit  of  duBt 
or  something  has  prevented  perfect  contact  between  cell 
and  cover.  The  depth  of  the  cell  in  this  instrument  is 
convenient  for  calculations,  as  it  is  exactly  10  microns. 

Procedure.  Dust  carefully  the  cell  and  cover  glass 
with  a  soft  lens  brush.  After  putting  the  slip  on  the 
stage  of  the  microscope  (under  a  1-5  or  D  objective  for 
convenience  in  accurate  focussing)  the  cover  is  put  in  place 
with  a  pair  of  forceps,  pressed  down  centrally  with  the  ball 
of  the  linger.  The  finger  print  made  is  of  the  greatest 
use.  If  the  Newtonian  rings  are  apparent,  allis  well;  if 
not,  try  again.  Turning  the  zero  mark  on  the  m.  m.  flue 
adjustment  screw  to  the  pointer,  focus  to  the  top  of  cover 
glass  with  coarse  adjustment.  A  little  patience  allows 
one  to  do  this,  and  it  is  much  more  convenient.  This 
done,  focus  with  the  fine  adjustment,  noting  the  distance 
on  the  m.  m.  scale,  until  the  top  of  the  cross  lines  of  the 
counter  are  in  perfect  focus.  This  distance  represents 
the  depth  of  cell,  plus  cover  glass  equal  m.  Removing  the 
cover  and  pressing  between  the  fingers,  focussing  on  top 
and  on  bottom  gives  apparent  (which  is  all  required,) 
thickness  of  cover  equal  n. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  157 

The  diflFerence,  m  minus  n  equals  a  and  equals  depth  of 
cell  filled  with  air. 

In  like  manner  a  drop  of  the  liquid  whose  iudex  of  re- 
fraction is  to  be  determined,  is  plac*^d  in  the  cell  and  the 
cover  applied  as  before  and  pressed  down  with  the  finger. 
Let  us  suppose  it  is  water,  and  that  the  equation  for  air 
substituted  is  30  microns  minus  20  microns  equal  10  mi- 
crons, or  the  depth  of  the  cell  filled  with  air.  A  equals 
10  microns. 

Now,  m  minus  n  equals  b  and  equals  depth  of  cell  filled 
with  water.  Substituted  we  have  27.5  microns  minus  7.5 
microns.  B  equals  7.5  microns.  A  divided  by  b  equals 
10  divided  by  7.5  which  equals  1.333  the  index  of  refrac- 
tion of  water. 

For  obtaining  the  index  of  transparent  solids  with 
plain  sides,  as  for  instance  of  cover  glasses  or  slips,  the 
apparent  depth  is  obtained  as  before,  the  real  thickness 
measured  with  the  cover  glass  guage  or  calipers.  Their 
ratio  is  the  index. 

It  is  not  within  the  province  of  this  article  to  suggest 
the  important  or  varied  applications  attendant  on  the 
determination  of  this  index,  but  the  writer  will  feel 
highly  repaid  if  it  is  of  interest  to  any  of  the  readers  of 
the  Journal. 

EDITORIAL. 

Prof.  Edson  S.  Bastin.— The  death  of  Prof.  Edson  S. 
Bastin  means  a  severe  loss  to  the  body  of  American  scien- 
tists. He  was  one  of  the  most  faithful  workers  in  pharm- 
acy. For  the  last  two  years  he  has  devoted  himself  so 
unceasing"ly  to  microscopical  work  outside  of  the  hours 
devoted  to  instruction,  that  he  has  virtually  allowed  him- 
self no  proper  time  for  rest,  and  as  a  matter  of  fact,  has 
almost  worked  himself  to  death.  His  work  on  the  anatomy 
of  plants  of  the  pine  family  has  been  recogfnized  as  of  great 
importance  here  and  abroad. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


168  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [May 

Xnks. — Dr.  Marpmann  of  Leipzig-,  has  recently  published 
the  results  of  the  microscopical  examination  of  67  samples 
of  ink  used  in  schools.  Most  of  these  ink^  were  made  with 
g-all-nuts,  and  contained  saprophytes,  bacteria  and  micro- 
cocci. Nig-rosin  ink,  taken  from  a  freshly  opened  bottle, 
was  found  to  contain  both  saprophytes  and  bacteria.  Red 
and  blue  inks  also  yielded  numerous  bacteria.  In  two 
instances  Dr.  Marpmann  succeeded  in  cultivating  from 
nig-rosin  ink  a  bacillus  which  proved  fatal  to  mice  within 
four  days.  This  ink  had  stood  in  an  open  bottle  for  three 
months,  and  the  inference  drawn  from  the  inquiry  is  that 
ink  used  in  schools  should  be  kept  covered  when  not  in 
use. 

A  Water  Microbe. — One  of  the  unaccountable  phenom- 
ena of  the  Black  Sea  has  been  explained  by  the  bacteriolo- 
g-ists.  Since  time  out  of  memory  it  has  been  a  well-known 
fact  that  there  were  no  deep-sea  fish  in  the  body  of  water 
mentioned.  Away  back  in  1850  the  scientists  made  an  in- 
vestig-ation  and  found  that  fish  could  not  live  at  a  greater 
depth  than  200  fathoms  in  the  water  of  the  Black  Sea  on 
account  of  the  presence  of  a  superabundance  of  sulphu- 
retted hydrogen.  Time  and  ag*ain  the  waters  were  stocked 
with  deep  sea  fish,  but  all  died  on  account  of  the  poisonous 
gas  which  was  generated  in  such  quantities  in  those  por- 
tions of  the  water  which  should  have  been  their  natural 
habitat.  It  was  known  that  the  gas  was  at  the  bottom  of 
all  the  trouble,  but  exactly  where  the  gas  came  from  was 
what  so  puzzled  the  investigators.  The  microbiologists 
finally  took  the  matter  in  hand  and  a  recent  observer  now 
announces  that  the  gas  is  generated  by  the  countless  num- 
ber of  microbes  which  make  their  home  in  the  ooze  at  the 
bottom.  This  microbe  decomposes  mineral  sulphates  and 
has  been  named  Bacillus  hydrosulf  uricus  ponticus. 


One  more  indictment  is  added  to  the  many  against  the 
house-fly.  Yersin  communicated  plague  to  guinea-pigs  by 
the  inoculation  of  sterilized  water  in  which  flies  found  dead 
in  the  laboratory  had  been  rubbed  up. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18971  MICBOSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  159 

MIGBOSCOPiCAL  MANIPULATION. 


A  New  Culture  Medium  for  the  Diphtheria  Bacillus. — 
Joos  (Jour.  Med.  de  Bruxelles,  May  7,  1896)  has  had  occa- 
sion to  make  alarge  number  of  bacteriolog-ical  examinations 
in  cases  of  suspected  diphtheria.     He  finds  that  the  ordi- 
nary methods  of  cultivating  Loffler's  bacillus  are  not  sat- 
isfactory; he  also  finds  Deycke's  method  unsatisfactory, 
as  it  hinders  the  growth  of  the  Loffler  bacillus,  and  stunts 
the  colonies.     Joos  lias  modified   Deycke's  medium,  and 
claims  to  have  found  a  material  on  which  no  other  bacillus 
except  that  of  diphtheria  will  grow  normally.     He  pre- 
pares "albuminate  of  soda''  by  adding  saturated  caustic 
soda  solution  to  serum   of  strong  alkalinity,  placing  the 
mixture  in  a  vapor  bath  for  half  an   hour,  and  filteriag. 
To  the  filtrate  is  added  pure  hydrochloric  acid  till  the  re- 
action is  neutral  or   very  slightly  alkaline.     If  too  much 
caustic  soda  was  not  added  at  first,  the  substance   is  now 
ready  for  use;  otherwise  the  excess  of  sodium  chlorid  re- 
quires to  be  dialyzed  out.     On  evaporating  to  dryness,  a 
powder  is  obtained  which  is  readily  soluble  in  water,  and 
which  is  not  coagulated  by  heat.     The  nutritive  medium 
is  prepared  by  adding  to  1000  gr,  of  peptonized  bouillon  20 
gr.  each  of  agar  and  ^'albuminate  of  soda."     The  mixture 
is  placed  in  the  autoclave  at  a  temperature  of  115  degrees 
to  120  degrees  C.  for  half  an  hour;  then  15  c.cm.  of  caustic 
soda  are  added,  and  the  whole  put  back  in  the  autoclave 
for  fifteen  minutes,  after  which  it  is  filtered  in  the  vapor 
bath.     After  filtration,  it  is  sterilized  at  120  degrees  C.  in 
the  autoclave   for  three  quarters  of  an   hour,  when  it  is 
ready  for  the  preparation  of  the  plates.     It  is  claimed  by 
Joos  that  streptococci  will  not  grow  on  this  medium  at  all, 
and  staphylococci  but  feebly,  while  Loffler's  bacillus  grows 
luxuriantly  in  from  six  to  twelve  hours.     If  the  presence 
of  streptococci  is  to  be  determined  as  well,  the  amount  of 
"albuminate"  is  to  be  reduced  to  one  and  one-half  per  cent. 
At  the  end  of  fifteen  to  eighteen  hours  small  colonies  of 
streptococci  may  be  seen  among  the  large  and  well-devel- 
oped patches  produced  by  the  diphtheria  bacillus. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


160  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [May 

Preservation  of  Urinary  Deposits. — Heretofore  the  sub- 
ject of  mounting'  and  preserving  urinary  deposits  has  re- 
ceived comparatively  little  attention,  perhaps  from  the 
fact  that  no  suitable  method  has  been  discovered.  Speci- 
mens of  urinary  deposits,  when  properly  mounted,  are  an 
excellent  means  of  demonstrating-  the  various  pathological 
elements  found  in  urine.  We  are  indebted  to  Gumprecht 
(Centralblatt  f.  Inn.  Med.;  British  Medical  Journal,  Sep- 
tember, 1896)  for  the  following  method,  which  he  finds  to 
be  superior  to  chloroform  or  glycerin:  A  deposit  is  first 
obtained  by  means  of  the  centrifuge.  This  deposit  is  then 
placed  in  a  concentrated  solution  of  corrosive  sublimate 
and  centrifugalized  again.  It  is  then  washed,  and  pre- 
served in  a  solution  of  formal.  The  hardening  in  subli- 
mate may  be  omitted  if  no  red  blood-cells  are  present.  If 
there  is  much  albumin  present,  the  deposit  may  be  washed 
with  advantage  in  a  normal  saline  solution.  If  the  urine 
contains  urates,  the  deposit  should  be  washed  with  warm 
water  or  a  concentrated  boracic  solution.  The  washing 
of  a  deposit  by  means  of  the  centrifugal  machine  has  long 
been  in  use  in  the  laboratory.  No  washing  is  necessary 
if  sublimate  is  not  used.  The  strength  of  the  formal  solu- 
tion may  vary  from  two  to  ten  per  cent.  The  author  says 
that  urinary  deposits  thus  preseved  can  hardly  be  distin- 
guished from  fresh  deposits.  Cover-glass  preparations 
may  be  made,  but  it  is  well  to  wash  off  the  formal.  The 
cells  maintain  their  shape,  and  the  nuclei  of  the  cells  take 
the  stain  in  the  usual  way.  Casts,  and  especially  red 
blood-cells,  are  well  preserved.  Fat  is  readily  distin- 
guished. Micro-organisms  are  easily  recognized  even 
when  unstained. — Modern  Medicine. 


BACTEBIOLOGY. 


Virulent  Diphtheria  Bacillus  of  the  Conjunctival  Sac. — 
Spronck  (Deutsche  Med.  Woch.,  1896,  No.  36)  under- 
took to  learn,  by  means  of  the  specific  protective  property 
of  Behring's  serum,  whether  the  diphtheria  bacillus  and 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  161 

those  slig^htly  virulent  or  non-virulent  bacilli  which  re- 
semble it  are  the  same  species  of  bacterium.  Out  of  seven 
cultures  from  the  pharynx,  there  were  five  which  pro- 
duced a  local  edema  and  general  disturbance  in  the  guinea- 
pig-  when  injected  subcutaneously.  Guinea-pigs  which 
had  been  injected  with  a  relatively  large  dose  of  anti-diph- 
theritic serum  were  not  rendered  immune  to  the  effects  of 
these  cultures  but  the  same  dose  of  virulent  diphtheria 
culture  was  without  effect. 

He  also  experimented  with  three  cultures  of  the  bacillus, 
resembling  the  diphtheria  bacillus,  isolated  from  typical 
cases  of  xerosis  conjunctivae.  Subcutaneous  injections, 
in  guinea-pigs  of  m/edium  size,  of  one  to  three  cubic  cen- 
timeters of  a  24-hours  bouillon  culture,  produced  edematous 
swellings  which  disappeared  after  forty-eight  hours,  with 
loss  of  appetite,  weakness,  etc.  Guinea-pigs  which  were 
rendered  in  a  high  degree  immune  to  the  diphtheria  bacil- 
lus showed  no  increased  resistance  to  the  bacillus  of 
xerosis. 

The  author  concludes  that  the  anti-diphtheritic  serum  is 
useful  in  differentiating  the  diphtheria  bacillus  from  the 
slightly  virulent  xerosis  bacillus.  He  thinks  the  results 
with  the  anti-diptheritic  serum  leave  no  doubt  that  the 
xerosis  bacillus  does  not  belong  to  the  true  species  of  diph- 
theria bacilli  but  should  be  classed  with  one  or  more  dis- 
tinct varieties  of  bacilli. 

He  does  not  claim  to  settle  the  question  as  to-  whether 
every  bacillus  which  loses  its  effects  in  the  presence  of 
the  protective  property  of  the  anti-diphtheritic  serum  is 
the  true  diphtheria  bacillus,  but  leaves  it  to  further  re- 
search. 

Whether  the  diphtheria  bacillus  with  slight  virulence  is 
a  common  inhabitant  of  the  conjunctival  sac,  he  thinks  can 
be  easily  determined  if  all  or  most  of  the* cultures  possess 
sufficient  virulenceto  allow  of  control  investigations.  He  be- 
lieves, however,  that  most  of  such  are  organisms  which 
belong  in  the  class  of  xerosis  bacilli.  He  does  not- deny 
that  the  true  diphtheria  bacillus  may  be  found  in  the  con- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


162  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [May 

junctiva  in  specific  diphtheria  and  other  infections  and  in 
the  normal  conjunctiva  on  rare  occasions. — Medicine. 

On  the  Xerosis  Bacillus. — J.  Eyre  (Journal  of  Pathology 
and  Bacteriology,  July?  1896)  gives  a  report  of  interesting 
studies  upon  the  bacillus  of  xerosis  conjunctivae.  Twelve 
cases  were  examined,  six  being  in  males  and  six  in  females. 
Of  the  females,  two  were  classmates  and  the  remaining 
four  were  members  of  one  family — an  interval  of  about  a 
week  was  noted  between  the  onset  of  the  attack  in  the 
mother  and  the  three  children.  The  cases  were  charac- 
terized clincally  by  a  number  of  small,  irregularly  oval- 
shaped,  pinkish,  edematous  bodies,  situated  in  the  lower 
conjunctival  fornix,  and  not  encroaching  upon  the  ocular 
conjunctiva.  Injection  of  the  conjunctival  vessels,  lacry- 
mation,  photophobia,  inability  to  continue  at  work  requir- 
ing close  observation,  distress  at  night  and  when  using 
artificial  light,  were  among  the  symptoms. 

In  contrast  to  these  cases  he  reports  a  case  of  true  con- 
junctival diphtheria.  The  patient  was  a  boy  aged  four 
years.  Both  eyes  were  affected,  the  lids  being  painful, 
red,  and  swollen,  and  separable  with  difficulty  owing  to 
the  brawny  infiltration  of  the  subcutaneous  tissue.  The 
ocular  conjunctiva  was  chemosed;  the  palpebral  portion 
congested  and  thickened,  presenting  patches  of  a  pale 
grayish-yellow  membrane,  which  stripped  off  easily,  leav- 
ing a  raw  bleeding  surface. 

The  differences  between  the  xerosis  bacillus  and  the 
diphtheria  bacillus  are  given  as  follows: 

1.  After  inoculation  of  the  secretion  upon  blood-serum, 
colonies  of  the  xerosis  bacillus  do  not  appearw^thin  thirty- 
six  hours;  those  of  the  diphtheria  bacillus  appear  in  six- 
teen to  eighteen  hours. 

2.  When  grown  in  neutral  bouillon  or  milk,  the  xerosis 
bacillus  never  gives  rise  to  an  acid  reaction;  the  diphtheria 
bacillus  invariably  does. 

3.  When  grown  upon  potato,  the  xerosis  bacillus  rapidly 
degenerates  and  dies;  the  diphtheria  bacillus  grows  with 
more  vigor  and  to  a  greater  size  than  on  any  other  medium. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  163 

4.  When  grown  upon  10  per  cent  gelatin,  colonies  of  the 
xerosis  bacillus  are  not  visible  to  the  naked  eye  within 
forty-eig-ht  hours;  the  colonies  of  diphtheria  bacilli  can  be 
recog-nized  in  twelve  to  twenty-four  hours. 

5.  The  invariably  innocuous  nature  of  the  bouillon  cul- 
tures of  the  xerosis  bacillus,  when  innoculated  into  the 
subcutaneous  tissues  of  animals  is  susceptible  to  the  bacil- 
lus of  diphtheria. 

As  to  the  exact  nature  of  the  xerosis  bacillus — whether 
it  be  a  non-virulent  and  slightly  altered  species  of  the 
bacillus  diphtheriae,  or  a  totally  separate  and  distinct  bacil- 
lus— it  is  impossible  at  present  to  decide. 

Leucocytes  and  the  Bactericidal  Action  of  the  Blood. — 
Hahn  (Arch.  f.  Hyg.,  vol.  xxv,  p.  105)  has  investigated  the 
action  of  blood  serum  and  also  the  pleural  exudation  of 
rabbits.  The  leucocytes  in  the  latter  are  destroyed  by 
freezing.  He  found  that  the  exudate  had  a  more  powerful 
bactericidal  action  upon  Staphylococcus  pyogenes  aureus 
and  bacillus  typhosis  than  the  blood  serum  or  the  defribi- 
nated  blood  of  the  same  animal;  and  since  the  leucocytes 
were  destroyed,  the  action  cannot  depend  upon  phagocyto- 
sis in  Metchnikoff 's  sense  of  the  term.  The  author  made 
experiments  with  Lichenfeld's  histin-blood,  in  which  the 
leucocytes  remained  unaffected,  in  order  to  determine 
whether  the  bactericidal  power  depends  upon  the  destruc- 
tion of  leucocytes  or  upon  substances  secreted  by  the 
leucocytes  while  still  alive.  He  came  to  the  conclusion 
that  the  latter  is  the  more  probable  explanation. 

Bubonic  Plague  Bacillus. — Dr.  Alvah  H.  Doty  gives  a 
full  account  of  the  history  and  germ  of  the  bubonic  plague. 
Intheyear  542  Egypt  wasconsideredthehomeoftheplague. 
Between  660  and  680  England  was  invaded.  In  1334  it  was 
brought  from  the  East,  where  it  was  supposed  to  have  had 
its  origin.  Sicily  1346,  Norway  1351.  The  mortality  was 
enormous.  During  the  eighteenth  century  the  plague 
existed  only  in  Eastern  Europe,  Asia  and  Africa.  A  slight 
outbreak  occurred  in  Delmatia  in  1840,  and  a  severe  one  on 
the  Volga,  in  the  province  of  Astrakan  in  Russia,  1878-79. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


164  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [May 

Since  then  it  has  not  appeared  in  Europe.  In  1894  it  oc- 
curred in  Hong-  Kong-  and  Canton;  in  the  latter  place  180,- 
000  people  died. 

The  credit  of  discovering*  this  organism  is  due  to  Yersin 
and  Kitasato,  who  worked  independently  in  their  investi- 
gations. The  organism  is  known  ?l^  bacillus pestei  bubonic(e. 
It  is  found  in  large  numbers  in  the  buboes  characteristic 
of  this  disease,  in  the  lymphatic  glands  and  occasionally  in 
the  internal  organs.  It  occurs  in  the  blood  only  in  acute 
ha^morrhagic  types,  shortly  before  death. 

The  organism  has  been  cultivated  inartificial  media  and 
disease  resembling  it  has  been  produced  in  lower  animals. 
It  is  pathogenic  to  many  animals  and  during  epidemics 
rats,  mice  and  flics  die  in  large  numbers,  the  disease  being 
apparently  transmitted  through  them. 

It  is  a  short  and  thick  bacillus,  somewhat  motile,  with 
rounded  ends,  somewhat  motile,  and  stains  with  aniline 
dyes,  the  ends  coloring  more  deeply  than  the  middle.  It 
does  not  form  spore.  It  grows  well  in  blood  serum,  in  the 
form  of  white  moist,  iridescent  colonies.  It  grows  slowly 
in  gelatin  but  rapidly  in  glycerin  agar,  forming  a  grayish 
white  surface  growth.  In  bouillon  it  grows  in  a  very  charac- 
teristic way,  resembling  the  growth  produced  by  the  ery- 
sipelas org-anism.  The  culture  medium  appears  clear, 
with  white  granular  deposits  on  the  walls  and  in  the  bottom 
of  the  tube. 

It  is  pathogenic  for  rats,  mice,  guinea  pigs  and  rabbits, 
which  die  usually  within  two  or  three  days  after  inocula- 
tion. The  bacillus  soon  loses  its  virulence  when  g-rown  in 
artificial  media.  The  virulence  of  the  organism  is  increas- 
ed by  successive  inoculations  in  certain  animal  species. 

We  are  indebted  to  Yersin,  Calmette  and  Borrell  for  the 
antiplague  serum.  Animals  are  immunizedag^inst  the  at- 
tacks of  the  organism  by  repeated  intravenous  or  intraper- 
itoneal injections  of  dead  cultures  or  by  subcutaneous  in- 
oculation. A  horse  was  immunized  in  about  six  weeks. 
The  serum  aflForded  protection  to  small  animals  after  sub- 
cutaneous injection  of  virulent  cultures,  and  even  cured 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  165 

those  that  had  previously  been  infected  if  administered 
within  twelve  hours  after  the  inoculation.  Yersin  has  re- 
cently reported  the  successful  treatment  of  a  man  who  was 
attacked  by  a  severe  type  of  the  disease.  The  French 
Consul  at  Hong"  Kong"  performed  the  same  operation  upon 
two  other  pupils  at  the  Catholic  Mission  with  success. 

Baldness  Microbe. — One  of  the  physicians  at  a  hospital 
in  Paris  has,  it  is  stated,  discovered  a  microbe  of  the  skin 
which  accounts  for  baldness.  It  appears  that  baldness 
attacks  those  whose  skin  exudes  an  excessive  amount  of 
fat  or  oil,  and  the  parts  affected  are  washed  with  ether  and 
other  solutions,  myriads  of  small  microbes  may  be  seen 
similar  in  length  (!)  to  the  tuberculosis  bacillus.  This  par- 
ticular skin  microbe  varies  in  size  according  to  its  age  and 
position.  For  instance,  on  the  scalp  it  is  smaller  than  on 
the  face  or  the  body,  but  the  structure  remains  always 
the  same.  The  doctor  has  inoculated  a  sheep  and  a  rab- 
bit with  the  skin  microbe  at  the  Pasteur  Institute,  and  he 
will  make  known  the  results  of  his  experience  to  the  Society 
of  Dermatology.  It  is  stated  that  there  are  three  or  four 
therapeutic  agents  capable  of  destroying  the  fatty  sub- 
stance of  the  skin  complained  of. 


ICEDIGAL  MICROSCOPY. 

The  Klebs-Loeffler  Bacillus  in  Apparently  Normal 
Throats  and  Noses. — W.  H.  Gross  (University  Medical 
Mag-azine,  October,  1896)  presents  an  interesting  report 
of  some  observations  made  in  the  Children's  Hospital  of 
Boston.  During  six  months  ending  June  1,  1896,  culture 
examinations  were  made  from  ihe  throats  and  noses  of  all 
cases  entering  the  hospital;  two  cultures,  twenty-four 
hours  apart,  being  taken  on  admission,  and  subsequently 
repeated  once  weekly  as  long  as  the  case  remained  in  the 
house,  unless  the  Klebs-Loeffler  bacillus  was  found,  in 
which  case  daily  examinations  were  made  until  three  suc- 
cessive negative  cultures,  twenty-four  hours  apart,  were 
obtained.     The  work  was  undertaken  with  the  object  of 


Digitized  by 


Google 


166  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [May 

preventing^  outbreaks  of  epidemics  of  diphtheria,  which 
in  past  winters  had  occurred  in  this  hospital  with  most 
disastrous  results. 

Out  of  316  cases  examined,  26  at  one  time  or  another 
showed  the  presence  of  the  Klebs-Loeffler  bacillus.  Two 
of  these  had  clinical  diphtheria,  so  that  out  of  314  normal 
throats  and  noses,  7.9  per  cent  contained  the  bacillus  of 
diphtheria.  The  averag"e  persistence  of  the  bacillus  on 
the  mucous  membrane  was  fifteen  days;  the  shortest 
period  one  day,  the  long-est  103  days.  The  nose  was  the 
principal  habitat  in  65  per  cent  and  the  throat  in  35  per 
cent.  The  degree  of  virulence  possessed  by  the  bacilli  in 
the  various  cases  was  not  determined. 

Antitoxin  in  Diphtheria. — The  American  Pediatric 
Society  are  about  to  undertake  a  second  collective  investi- 
gation of  antitoxin,  and  they  now  ask  that  records  of  cases 
of  diphtheria  involving  the  larynx,  whether  operated  or 
not,  occurring  in  the  United  States,  be  sent  to  the  Secre- 
tary, W.  P.  Northrup,  M.D.,  57  East  Seventy-ninth  street, 
New  York,  N.  Y. 

The  following  sums  up  the  conclusions  of  the  Society 
based  on  the  first  investigation: 

Dosage.— For  a  child  over  two  years  old  the  dose  of  anti- 
toxin should  be,  in  all  laryngeal  cases  with  stenosis,  and 
in  all  other  severe  cases,  1500  to  2000  units  for  the  first 
injection,  to  be  repeated  in  from  eighteen  to  twenty-four 
hours  if  there  is  no  improvement;  a  third  dose  after  a 
similar  interval,  if  necessary.  For  severe  cases  in  child- 
ren under  two  years,  and  for  mild  cases  over  that  age,  the 
initial  dose  should  be  1000  units,  to  be  repeated  as  above 
if  necessary;  a  second  dose  is  not  usually  required.  The 
dosage  should  always  be  estimated  in  antitoxin  units,  and 
not  of  the  amount  of  serum. 

Quality  of  Antitoxin. — The  most  concentrated  strength 
of  an  absolutely  reliable  preparation. 

Time  of  Administration. — Antitoxin  should  be  admin- 
istered as  early  as  possible  on  a  clinical  diagnosis,  not 
waiting  for  a  bacteriological  culture.     However  late  the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18«7]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  167 

first  observation  is  made,  an  injection  should  be  given  un- 
less the  progress  of  the  case  is  favorable  and  satisfactory. 

Bacteria  in  the  Urine  in  Non-bacterial  Febrile  Disease. 
— Chvostek  and  Egger  (Wiener  Klin.  Woch.,  18%,  No.  30) 
report  the  occurrence  of  bacteria  in  the  urine  in  paroxysms 
of  malaria  and  in  fever  produced  by  injections  of  tuber- 
culin. As  the  experiments  were  conducted  in  such  a  way 
as  to  exclude  the  usual  causes  of  error  in  such  observa- 
tions, the  authors  believe  that  fever  serves  in  some  way 
to  favor  the  excretion  of  micro  organisms,  though  no  bac- 
terial disease  in  the  usual  sense  exists.  They  suggest 
that  this  may  be  simply  the  exaggeration  of  a  process 
which  must  occur  at  times  in  healthy  persons.  Bacteria 
gain  entrance  to  the  blood  in  various  ways,  perhaps  most 
frequently  by  way  of  the  lymphatics,  and  are  finally  ex- 
creted with  the  urine.  These  germs  are  probably  more 
or  less  lowered  in  vitality,  so  that  they  cannot  often  be 
cultivated  successfully;  but  in  fevers  such  as  the  authors 
worked  with,  the  excretion  is  more  rapid.  These  and 
other  observations  show  that  the  presence  of  non-specific 
bacteria,  especially  the  Staphylococcus  albus,  in  the  urine 
cannot  be  looked  upon  as  of  great  importance,  and  that 
other  facts  must  be  brought  forward  in  order  to  prove 
their  relation  to  the  disease. 


BIOLOGICAL  NOTES. 


The  Scandal  on  Oysters.— At  the  recent  meeting  of  the 
British  Medical  Association,  Professors  Boyce  and  Herd- 
man  took  pains  to  show  what  persons  familiar  with  the 
natural  history  of  the  oyster  have  known  all  along,  that  it 
is  not  a  scavenger,  as  some  people  have  ignorantly  alleged 
but  a  cleanly  and  docile  animal  of  slow  movement  and  over- 
trustful  of  its  pampering  caretakers.  Consequently  it  has 
been  most  foully  treated.  The  professors  cited  and  veri- 
fied facts  that  had  been  before  stated — namely,  that  when 
oysters  were  laid  down  in  pure  water  a  natural  process  of 


Digitized  by 


Google 


168  THB  AMBRICAN  MONTHLY  [May 

cleansing"  took  place,  and  previous  sewage  contamination 
was  thus  entirely  got  rid  of.  This  result  forms  the  high- 
est possible  argument  in  favor  of  the  absolute  purity  of  the 
surrounding's  of  oysters  during*  their  cultivation  or  after 
being  laid  down  in  special  beds  for  fattening  purposes. 

With  regard  to  the  germs  of  typhoid  fever  in  sea  water 
or  in  the  tissues  of  the  oyster,  it  was  shown  that  they  are 
viable  for  fourteen  days  in  sea  water  at  35  deg-rees  centi- 
grade, while  in  cold  sea  water  they  may  live  for  twenty-one 
days;  and  when  large  quantities  of  the  microbes  are  added 
to  the  water,  their  presence  may  be  demonstrated  for  a 
long"er  period  than  when  small  quantities  are  employed. 
It  thus  seems  that  the  bacilli  do  not  actually  breed  or  mul- 
tiply in  the  sea  water  at  all.  Infection  from  this  source, 
therefore,  is  from  germs  that  have  entered  the  water,  and 
not  from  their  decendants  and  progeny.  It  was  also  dem- 
onstrated that  the  typhoid  microbe  does  not  increase  either 
in  the  body  or  in  the  tissues  of  the  oyster.  Where  oysters 
are  infected  with  typhoid  germs  and  placed  in  a  stream  of 
pure  sea  water,  the  bacilli  disappear  in  from  one  to  seven 
days.  The  oyster  evidently  utilizes  its  pure  environment 
to  get  rid  of  its  unwelcome  and  uninvited  germ  guests. 

Distinctions  Between  Human  and  Animal  Blood.— 
On  mixing  the  blood  in  question  with  a  little  bile,  there  are 
formed  crystals  not  exceeding*  0.003  meter  in  size.  Those 
of  a  man  are  right  rectangular  prisms;  those  of  the  horse, 
cubes;  of  the  ox,  rhombohedrons;  of  the  sheep,  rhombohe- 
dric  tablets;  of  the  dog,  rectangular  prisms;  of  the  rabbit, 
tetrahedrons;  of  the  squirrel,  hexagonal  tablets;  of  the 
mouse,  octahedrons;  of  common  poultry,  cubes  modified  at 
their  angles,  etc. — Scientific  American. 


IIICKOSCOPICAL   NOTES. 


The  Night  Lunch  Wagon. — Mr.  John  F.  Hurley,  pres- 
ident of  the  water  board,  of  Salem,  Mass.,  who  has  been 
indefatigable  in  promoting  a  good  water  supply,  has  now 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  169 

called  attention  to  a  matter  which  eflFects  the  public  health 
in  a  different  degree.  Disclaiming-  any  intention  of  need- 
lessly interfering  with  any  person's  means  of  livelyhood, 
he  has  protested  ag-ainst  the  licensing-  of  night  lunch  wag-- 
ons,  on  account  of  the  liability  of  the  spread  of  disease  by 
this  means.  These  wagons  are  a  familiar  sig-ht  in  the 
cities  and  larger  towns.  Either  they  are  driving- about  the 
streets  or  they  occupy  a  stand,  night  after  nig-ht.  Mr. 
Hurley  has  interested  himself  to  inquire  into  their  oper- 
ation and  finds  when  ready  for  customers  the  water  supply 
of  a  wagon  consists  of  about  two  gallons  of  water  in  a 
bucket.  During  the  night  several  hundred  cups  of  coflfee 
and  mugs  of  milk  are  sold  and  emptied  into  mouths  many 
of  which  are  dirty  and  diseased,  some  foully  so.  The 
cleansing  of  the  mug  or  cups  consists  of  a  rinsing  in  the 
bucket  of  water  and  a  wipe  with  a  towel  that  does  duty  for 
the  entire  night.  We  must  agree  with  Mr.  Hurley  that 
probably  no  better  method  of  spreading  disease  can  be 
found  than  the  practices  he  discribes,  and  the  subject  is 
one  which  should  receive  the  attention  of  the  board  of 
health  in  the  cities  where  such  a  menace  to  public  health 
exists. — The  Engineering  Record. 

Infection  by  Pets. — Cats  have  been  suspected  of  con- 
veying the  infection  of  diphtheria,  and  scarlet  fever  has 
been  traced  to  them.  To  this  may  be  added  (Chicago 
Medical  Record)  the  unwelcome  news  that  a  health  oflBcer 
has  reported  a  case  of  smallpox  brought  about  in  the  same 
way;  that  is,  by  a  cat  from  an  infected  house  carrying  the 
disease  to  a  neighboring  house. 

Another  case  is  reported  in  La  Medecine  Moderne,  **of 
a  seamstress  who  was  in  the  habit  of  allowing  her  dog  to 
lick  her  face.  She  was  attacked  one  day  with  a  severe  in- 
flammation of  the  right  eye.  Oculists  were  consulted,  but 
their  treatment  was  unsuccessful;  and  owing  to  the  fact 
that  inflammation  of  the  left  eye  was  beginning,  the  right 
eye  was  cut  out.  In  it  wasfound  a  tapeworm,  which  the 
dog  had  probably  picked  up  while  licking  some  less  pleas- 
ing object  than  his  mistress's  face. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


170  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [May 

*'The  dang-er  of  the  transmission  of  parasites  by  dog"s, 
who  are  well  known  to  be  indiscriminate  in  choosing  ob- 
jects for  the  exercise  of  their  tongues,  to  the  hands  and 
faces  of  their  masters,  would  seem  to  be  a  great  one.  It 
is  remarkable  that  accidents  of  the  kind  related  happen  as 
rarely  as  they  do." 


nCROSCOPIGAL  SOCIETIES. 


Royal  Microscopical  Society. — At  the  last  meeting  of 
the  society,  Mr.  F.  Enoch,  F.  L.  S.,  F.  E.  S.,  showed  under 
microscopes  a  unique  collection  of  specimens  of  "a  much 
neglected  family,"  viz.,  the  mymarada^.  These  insects, 
some  of  them  much  tinier  than  a  grain  of  sand  on  the  sea- 
shore, are  egg-parasites,  that  is  to  say,  they  prey  on  the 
eggs  laid  by  other  insects — some  of  them  in  the  live  bodies 
and  still  other  minute  denizens  of  London  trees.  The  re- 
searches conducted  by  Mr.  Enoch  have  brought  to  light 
some  eight  hitherto  unknown  genera,  and  latest  was  dis- 
covered at  Hollo  way.  Mr.  Enoch  prepares,  mounts, 
sketches  and  photographs  the  specimens  for  which  he 
hunts  by  night  and  by  day  in  London  and  the  suburbs,  and 
the  exhibition  which  he  arranged  was  of  much  interest. 

New  Jersey  State  Microscopical  Society. 

Monday,  April 26,  i8gj, — At  Kirkpatrick  Chapel,  Rutgers 
College  Campus,  New^  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  was  held  the 
twenty-eighth  anniversary  meeting  of  the  New  Jersey 
State  Microscopical  Society.  An  efficient  committee,  chair- 
maned  by  Dr.  Chester  had  striven  to  make  the  meeting 
attractive  to  the  public  and  had  signally  succeeded. 

Dr.  Julius  Nelson,  President  of  the  Society,  made  a  brief 
speech  of  welcome  and  introduction.  He  called  attention 
to  the  fact  that  the  Society  is  not  among  the  least  educa- 
tional factors  in  this  city.  Meetings  are  held,  month  by 
month;  popular  subjects,  easily  understood,  are  treated 
of  by  specialists;  and  the  public  is  always  welcome,  admis- 
sion being  given  gratis.  The  facilities  offered  are  unique 
in  this  city. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  171 

"The  microscope,"  said  Dr.  Nelson,  '*has  made  greater 
revelations  than  the  telescope.  The  views  which  you  shall 
behold  this  evening-,  projected  from  a  polarizing  apparatus 
perfected  by  Dr.  Van  Dyck,  have  not  been  shown  to  an 
audience  of  this  kind  before.'' 

Dr.  Van  Dyck  then  explained  the  polarizing  projection 
lantern,  g'iving-  the  theory  of  light  vibrations  and  telling 
the  effects  of  interference  between  waves  of  light.  Polar- 
ization is  acquired  when  all  parts  of  a  medium  move  alike 
and  in  the  same  direction.  By  means  of  a  bundle  of  glass 
plates,  arranged  in  a  certain  way,  he  had  perfected  the 
projecting"  apparatus. 

While  Dr.  Van  Dyck  managed  the  lantern,  assisted  by 
Frederick  H.  Blodg-ett,  secretary  of  the  society.  Dr.  Ches- 
ter explained  the  views.  They  were  magnified  from  the 
slides  160,000  times,  being-  projected  from  a  one-quarter 
inch  aperture  to  an  area  upon  the  screen  of  about  eight 
feet. 

**Beautifur'  is  too  feeble  a  word  to  describe  the  tints 
which  the  rock  crystals  and  the  org-anic  particles  assumed 
under  polarized  light.  Again  and  again,  as  the  more  ex- 
quisite specimens  were  shown,  the  audience  gave  expres- 
sion to  its  delight  in  applause.  When  inorganic  speci- 
mens— crystals  formed  by  chemicals — were  projected, 
much  amusement  was  occasioned.  By  some  arrangement 
of  the  apparatus,  the  crystal  '^wheels  went  around,''  chang- 
ing their  hues  the  while. 

Part  II  of  the  scientific  entertainment  was  held  in  the 
lecture  room  in  the  rear  of  the  chapel.  Here  were  half  a 
hundred  microscopes,  with  specimens  well  mounted  and 
displayed  under  both  electric  and  oil  light,  arranged  on 
tables.  The  visitors  passed  up  one  row  of  microscopes, 
peeping-  into  the  tubes  as  they  walked,  and  down  the  other 
row.     These  were  the  exhibitors  and  their  exhibits: 

CoUeg-e  Experiment  Station;  Photo-micrographic  Camera 

Dr.  J.  B.  Smith;  Eggs  of  the  Tape-worm,  Head  of  the 
Tape-worm,  Mouth  of  the  House-fly,  Mammalian  Sperm, 
Wing  Cover  of  a  Beetle. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


172  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [May 

Dr.  B.  D.  Halsted;  Starch  in  Cells  of  Bean  Seed,  Spores 
of  a  Parasitic  Fungus,  An  Akebia  Stem,  Carnation  Rust  in 
a  Leaf. 

Mr.  F.  B.  Kilmer;  Section  of  Spong-e,  Bacillus  pyocya- 
nus. 

Dr.  P.  T.  Pockman;  Stomata  in  Fern  Leaf. 

Mr.*F.  H.  Blodgett;  Protococcus,  Zoospores  of  Drapar- 
naldia.  Mandible  of  Lady-bug". 

Mr.  F.  H.  Blodgett;  Wild  Flowers. 

Dr.  W.  W.  Knox;  Foramenifera. 

Dr.  A.  C.  Hutton;  Pappus  of  Marg-uerite. 

Prof.  C.  L.  Speyers;  Spicules  of  Gorg-onia. 

Prof.  W.  S.  Myers;  Humming-  Bird  Feathers. 

Dr.  A.  H.  Chester;  Arrang-ed  Diatoms. 

Mr.  J.  M.  Devoe;  Tongue  of  Beetle,  Foot  of  Spider. 

Dr.  M.  H.  Hutton;  Fossil  Diatoms. 

Mr.  F.  C.  Van  Dyck  Jr.;  Pollen  of  Japan  Lily. 

Dr.  F.  C.  Van  Dyck;  Micro-photograph  of  Plants. 

Dr.  D.  C.  English;  Section  of  Human  Appendix,  Kidney 
of  Mouse. 

Dr.  H.  R.  Baldwin;  Hair  Bulb,  Flea,  Cheese  Mite, 
Feather  of  Goose. 

Dr.  F.  M.  Donahue;  Section  of  Scalp. 

Mr.  J.  A.  Manley;  Iron  Pyrites. 

Dr.  Caroline  H.  Marsh;  Section  of  Spinal  Cord. 

Mr.  L.  H.  Noe;'Platinocyanide  of  Yttrium. 

Dr.  Julius  Nelson;  Frog's  Kidney,  Human  Kidney,  Hu- 
man Hair. 

Dr.  Julius  Nelson;  Various  Hairs,  Various  Fibres. 

Mr.  W,  W.  Wilson;  Root-cap. 

Mr.  L.  T.  Ives;  Butterfly  Scales. 

Dr.  A.  L.Smith;  Normal  Artery. 

Dr.  N.  Williamson;  PathologFcal  Artery,  X-ray  Photo- 
graph of  Ibis. 

Mr.  W.  S.  Valiant;  Casts  of  Triarthus  beckii. 


Mr.  Thomas  Craig  has  found  an  apparently  new  rotifer. 
The  peculiarity  of  it  is  in  the  fact  that  it  is  enclosed  in  a 
case  made  of  grains  of  sand  and  small  diatoms. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


^f 


Special 
AQDOuDcemeQt 


-  IN  - 


MICROSCOPY. 


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 


D' 


UBIKO  th«  iMk  ft 
I  hAT*  bMn  buiy  prspariiif 
IIMII7  rare  and  noTel  ot^teti 
for  Mlcroaoopical  pitrposaa,  and 
bare  arranged  tham  aa  under  in 
ninatimtod  Series. 

The  firrt  of  tbeee  ia  tlie  10- 
oroacoplcal  Studies  la  M*- 
rlne  Zoology. 

The  aeoond  Seriee  (via.:  that 
for  1806)  oonaiatB  of  14  nplendid 
tirepaimtlona,  all  of  the  hlgheat 
poaaiUe  ezoellence  and  ffoaranteed 
permanent  The  14  lUdtf  appear 
in  qoarterly  inatallmenta,  and  are 
aooompanied  b/  oTer  100  pagM 
of  descriptlTe  lettcrpresa, 
dealing  in  pleaaant  bnt  exaec  man- 
ner with  the  anatomy,  Ufe-hifto  y 
and  habtta  of  the  reapecttre  »>iil> 
Jecta,  while  19  foU-piHie  platea 
of  photo-engraTmga.  ctrawn 


from  llfn,  make  plain  all  detaila.       I 
iDCinilve  Sabaeriptlon,  S6.35,  poat-fk^e.    FuU  praapectua  on  application. 
The  following  are  among  the  SUdet  included  in  this  8eri«a : 


1.  OolonyoftheloTelyBadiolarianf^Aaro- 

,  fhowing  paraaitio  alga.  40o 

■    -TpCyte  C  " 


X,  The  lovely  ZoopI 


ezpanL 

3.  Statted  Btage   of   the  larra 

Teather  Star  (oiOadon) 

4.  An  entire  8ea^  Butterfly  0 
6.  LoTely  expanded  Zoopbyl 


»Ob«Ua,pi>lypafhUy 


of   Boay 


(Pteropod). 
te  fllmooryiM. 


S6c 

40c 
40e 
40e 


0.  LoTely  Kzpanded  Zoophyte  Bmimlnna    50e 

7.  Opoaram-ahrfmp  JQfaw,  allowiag  andi- 

tory  organ  in  tail  38o 

8.  The  aplendid  rate  organ-pipe  PoIyauoB, 

LiekenopofXi  lOc 

9.  Entire  larral  Plaioe,  9j4  Jnat  turning 

from  blind  aide  and  6  other  eooally 
flue  sUdee.  «0c 


The  prices  ag^^nat  each  are  thoie  at  which  the  preparatlona  are  aold  aeparataly,  ahow 
ing  what  a  cheap  lot  iyo0»r.in  aeriea  at  |6.26,  poet  free.  .---........ 


accompanying  aiiaea,  wnicn 

Botany. 


▲  few  acta  of  fleriea  1  atiU  aTailabla. 
•t.26,  poat  free. 

Prof.  J.  E.  Ainsworth  Daria,  Univenity  College,  Aberyatwith,  writea :  ** Allow  me  to 
congtatnlate  you  on  the  Tory  uaefhl  work  yon  are  doing  by  the  publication  of  Journal,  with 
accompanying  alidea,  which  are  Mon  AniaaABLB. 

—  Superb  microacopfcal  preparationB  of  Braslllan  I.lanaa.>-I  have 
been  unfortunate  in  obtaining  a  quantity  of  theae  auperb  atema— the 
most  loTely  in  the  whole  plut  kingdom— and  have  arranged  them 
In  two  sets  of  0  each,  at  the  price  of  $1.8f  per  aet,  or  12.25  for  the 
two.  The  moat  exquisitely  charming  rtidea  that  could  posaibly  be 
imagined  for  exhibitfon  at  popular  gauerings.    Aa  the  quantity  is 

Tory  hmited.  I  am  unable  to  aell  single  slides. 

Mlcrosooploal  Stodiea  In  Botsuiy.— In  answer  to  mant  requests,  I  hare  ar- 
ranged 20  magnificent  preparationa  in  a  series  on  similar  lines  to  that  in  marine  aoology  de- . 
scribed  aboTC. 

The  first  aeriea  ia  now  begun  and  compnaea  20  highest-class  slides  (such  aa  aell  aiagly 
at  26c  to  85c  each),  illustrated  by  deacrlptive  letterpress  and  20  specially  beautiful  photo-micro- 
graphs of  the  sections: 

Subscriptions,  16.26  only,  for  all,  a  aum  which  would  be  cheap  for  the  aeries  of  illoa- 
trations  alone. 

Prof.  J.  W.  Oarr,  UniTersity  College,  Nottingham,  writea:  **Tour  Botanical  Slides 
are  the  most  beautiful  I  haTe  ever  seen.  The  following  are  among  the  slides  already  iasued  ia 
abOTO  linea : 

1.  Tr.  aec.  flower-bud  of  Lily  26c   I  6.  Tr.  sec.  fruit  of  Date  (splendid)  36c 

2.  **    *'  do       of  Dandelion  30c       6.    '*    **   flower  of  Aefc«AoIlsM  80c 

3.  Loni:*!  sec.    do       of       do  26c    I   7.  Long'L  sec.  double  flower  of  Peony  25c 

4.  do  fruit    of  ng  SOc    I   8.  Leaf-AOl  of  Sycamore  25c 
I  sruarantee  the  perfeotton  of  all  my  mounts  and  will  be  please<*  to  send 

selections  on  approval  lo  approved  correspondents. 

A  great  range  of  Miscellaneous  Zoological  and  Botanical  slides  ia  stock 
at  prices  from  fi.30  per  dozen. 

Cost  of  Mailing,  z  slide,  zo  cents;  2  slides,  15  cents;  3  slides,  ao  cents  and 
80  00.    I«arge  parcels  by  express  at  very  cheap  rates. 

SpeolaUbr.  Marine  Zoology  (especially  in  expanded  Zoophsrtes  and  larval 
stages,  and  plant  and  flower  anatomy. 

^erms.  Remittance  by  P.  O.  O.,  draft  on  London,  or  U.  8.  paper  currency,  the 
former  preferred.  If  wished,  Mr.  0.  W.  Smiley,  Washington.  D.  ".  will  hold  the 
amount  till  order  is  satisfactorily  executed.  Mr.  Smiley  has  Idndiy  promised  io 
vouch  for  the  excellency  of  the  slides  and  will  give  references  to  U.  S.  Microecop- 
ists  who  have  been  well  satisfied  with  my  preparations. 

JAMES  HORNELL, 


Biological  Station,  Jerwy,  Sngland. 


Specialist  in  Microscopical  If ountfag. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL 

Contents  for  June,   1897. 

Oo  a  New  Fossil  Marine    Diatomaceoas   Deposit  in  Alabama.    Cnn- 

niogham 173 

Remarks  upon  the  DiatomaoesB.    Waller 181 

How  the  Bacterial  Organisms  are  Studied.     Lamb 184 

Algffi  found  at  Roche  Abbey,  July   11,    1896.     Coombe :.  188 

Some  Facts  About  Podisus  Placidus.     Ki^land .j^\l..,  191 

Editorial.  0f 

Restriction  of  Vivisection 192 

Nomenclature „ 193 

Microscopical  AppARATue. 

Distilling  Water,  (Illustrated.) 195 

Note  on  Color  Illumination 196 

How  to  Test  Objectives 197 

Microscopical  Manipulation. 

To  Stain  the  Ringworm  Fungus 198 

Frozen  Sections 198 

Bacteriology. 

Differentation  of  B.  coli 199 

Biological  Notes. 

Fertilization  of  Gymnoeperms 200 

The  Wild  Nettle m 

TheFootofthe  House  Fly 201 

Preservation  of  Flowers ^ 202 

Diatoms. 

Reproduction  of  Marine  Diatoms 203 

New  Publications. 

Text  Book  of  Histology ..^. 203 

Browning's  Paracelsus  and  Other  Essays   204 

Microscopic  Researches  on  Glycogen 204 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE  MICROSCOPE  IN  SECTION. 

1.  Compensation  ocular  x  12  ;  it  is  a  positive  ocular. 

2.  Draw-tube,  by  which  the  tube  is  lengthened  or  shortened. 

3.  Main  tube  or  body,    to  the  lower  end  of  which  the   objective  or    re- 

volvinjf  nose-piece  is  attached. 

4.  Society  screw  in  the  lower  end  of  the  draw-tube. 
5-    Society  screw  in  the  lower  end  of  the  tube. 

6.  Objective  in  position. 

7.  Stage  under  which  is  the  substage  with  the  sub-stage  condenser. 

8.  Spring  clip  for  holding  the  specimen. 

9.  Screw  for  centering,  and  handle  of  the  iris  diaphragm  in  the  achro- 

matic condenser. 

10.  Iris  diaphragm  out-side  the  principal  focus  of  the  condenser  for  use 

in  centering. 

11.  Mirror  with  plane  and  concave  faces. 

12.  Horse-shoe  base. 

13.  Rack  and  pinnioii  for  the  sub-stage  condenser. 

14.  Flexible  pillar 

15.  Part  of  pillar  with  spiral  spring  of  fine  adjustment. 

16.  Screw  of  fine-adjustment. 

17.  Milled  head  of  coarse  adjustment. 

[From  Gage's  "The  Microscope  and  Microscopical  Methods."] 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE    AMERICAN    ^-s^^^cSss^. 

y  ^  C  3  MONTHLY  TfEB  24  1942 

MICROSCOPICAL     JOUR  NA  L  . 


Vol.  XVIII.  JUNE,     1897.  No.  6 


On  a  New  Fossil  Marine  Diatomaceous  Deposit  in  Alabama. 

By  K.  M.  CUNNINGHAM, 

MOBILE,  ALA. 

In  the  issue  of  this  Journal  for  August,  1896,  there 
appeared  a  paper  giving  an  account  of  the  results  secur- 
ed by  myself  from  an  examination  of  a  rather  wide  area 
of  strata  of  Tertiary  age  undertaken  during  the  month 
of  June  1896.  It  contained  much  of  interest  in  relation 
to  the  various  kinds  of  microscopic  fossil  organisms  found 
in  the  various  deposits  encountered,  and  in  the  same  ar- 
ticle I  referred  briefly  to  the  locality  around  Suggsville. 
At  the  time  of  preparing  that  paper,  I  had  inadvertent- 
ly overlooked  a  few  specimens  collected  near  Suggsville. 
In  December  last  while  arranging  and  labeling  speci- 
mens of  the  minerals  previously  collected  I  found  some 
small  samples  of  clay.  It  occurred  to  me  that  I  had  not 
made  a  micro-analysis  of  the  same,  and  with  this  in  view 
I  made  a  trial  test.  I  found  that  the  material  indicated 
a  very  interesting  deposit  of  fossil  marine  diatoms  hith- 
erto unknown,  and  offering  much  of  interest  to  diatomists 
and  microgeologists  in  general.  After  ascertaining  this 
fact  it  became  necessary  to  secure  a  relatively  large 
amount  of  the  deposit  for  the  purpose  of  introducing  the 
same  to  the  notice  of  all  who  might  desire  to  study  the 
contents  and  peculiarities  of  the  new  deposit.  I  there- 
fore found  it  necessary  to  communicate  with  Dr.  C.  I. 
Di^hlberg,  of  Suggsville,  indicating  the  situation  of  the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


174  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [June 

deposit,  requesting  him  to  visit  it  and  send  me  a  quanti- 
ty of  the  deposit.  Through  his  kindness  I  secured  some 
fifty  pounds  of  clay,  and  after  the  receipt  of  the  fossil 
clay  I  was  enabled  to  make  a  study  of  the  deposit. 

After  preparing  and  examining  the  equivalent  of  about 
fifty  slides,  I  became  sufficiently  acquainted  with  the 
chief  characters  of  the  deposit,  to  enable  me  to  make 
some  comparative  deductions  with  reference  to  the  two 
principal  sources  of  North  American  marine  fossil  dejio^- 
its.  These  are  generally  known  and  familiar  to  Ameri- 
can and  foreign  microscopists.  Such  deposits  are 
known  as  occurring  at  Monterey,  Cal.  and  at  other  sites 
on  the  Pacific  Coast.  The  deposits  on  the  Atlantic  Coa^<t 
are  found  at  Nottingham,  Md,  Richmond  and  Peter.<hur^ 
Va.,and  at  other  points  from  New  Jersey  to  South  Caro- 
lina. 

As  a  result  of  the  studies  made  from  a  relatively  small 
quantity  of  the  deposit,  not  amounting  to  more  than  a 
few  ounces  in  the  aggregate,  I  have  been  enabled  to  note 
and  tabulate  species  represented  by  the  following  gen- 
era: Amphora,  5;  Amphiprora,  4;  Auliscus,  3;  Aula- 
codiscus,  3 ;  Actinocyclus,  3;  Actinoptychus,  6;  Aster- 
olampra,  2;  Amphitetras,  2;  Biddulphia,  6;  Coscino- 
discus,  10;  Craspedodiscus,  2;  Cocconeis,  1;  Cyclotella, 
2;  Corinna,  2;  Diatoma,  2;  Dimeragramma,  1;  Diplo- 
neis,  3  ;  Bunotogramma,  1  ;  Glyphodiscus,  2;  Hyalodis- 
cus,  2;  Hemiaulus,  2;  Melosira,  5;  Navicula,  10; 
Pleurosigma,  3  ;  Pyscilla,  2  ;  Pseudoauliscus,  1  ;  Ruti- 
laria,  1;  Raphoneis,  2;  Synedra,  1;  Triceratum,  6  ; 
Trinacria,  2; — approximating  one  hundred  species  in 
the  aggregate.  Associated  with  the  diatoms  are  addi- 
tional fossil  organic  remains  viz.  some  20  species  of  For- 
aminifera,  6  or  more  of  Radiolarians,  various  sponge  and 
gorgonia  spicules,  minute  spines  of  echinoderms  ;  stellate 
spicules,  zanthidiau  spheres,  and  coccoliths  of  the  chalk 
resembling  those  of  the  recent  sea  bottom  ;  also  crystals 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  176 

of  selenite,  aad  matted  crystalline  plates.     The  contents 
of  the  deposit  oflFer  many  points  of  study  interest. 

With  regard  to  the  richness  of  the  deposit,  it  becomes 
only  a  question  of  concentration  and  cleaning  as  the  dia- 
toms are  in  illimitable  numbers,  a  fragment  as  large  as 
a  lima-bean  yielding  three  or  more  slides  of  the  usual 
size.  A  few  peculiarities  to  be  noted  by  the  student  are 
of  the  following  character.  The  Coscinodiscoidal  forms 
range  in  size  fron  1-50  inch  to  1-500  inch.  Of  Melosira 
there  are  simple  closed  rings  and  spiral  forms  of  two 
or  more  turns ;  filaments  of  Melosira  having  as  many  as 
fifteen  frustules  united  together.  The  Triceriitia  are 
sometimes  found  in  filaments  of  three  or  four  frustules 
in  a  linear  series ;  spherical  Coscinodiscii  united  in  pairs 
in  a  partial  fission  or  sporangial  stage.  In  these  the 
external  hemispheres  are  fully  completed  in  their  reticu- 
lar surfaces,  and  the  internal  halves  either  perfectly  or 
partially  formed,  but  still  enclosed  by  the  sporangial 
isthmus  or  hoop.  There  are  Amphitetras  in  prefission 
union  or  sporangial  stage  inclining  the  frustules  to  rest 
on  the  longer  axis.  The  discoidal  forms  of  all  kinds 
have  both  valves  united  to  the  hoop  thus  enabling  the 
sculptural  details  of  either  top  or  bottom  surfaces  to  be 
examined  with  equal  facility  in  focussing  down  from  one 
surfac  e  to  the  other  or  vice-versa. 

By  this  means,  it  is  seen  that  in  all  of  the  Aulacodiscii 
or  Glyphodiscii  having  processes  or  bosses  on  both  sur- 
faces that  upon  focussing  on  the  upper  surfaces,  and  then 
through  to  the  lower  surfaces  the  bosses  or  processes  of 
the  lower  surfaces  bisect  the  position  of  the  upper  bosses. 
This  furnishes  a  proof  that  the  valves  are  intact,  a  cir- 
cumstance seldom  observed  in  other  fossil  deposits. 

The  formation  in  which  this  deposit  is  found  is  known 
as  gypsous  in  character.  This  is  owing  to  the  fossil 
Foraminifera  and  Diatoms  having  been  mineralized  or 
metamorphosed  by  two  agencies.  As  a  result  this  tends  to 


Digitized  by 


Google 


176  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Jane 

make  the  cleaning  and  preparation  of  the  diatoms  for 
Htudy  somewhat  difficult,  or  at  least  a  lengthy  process. 
The  diatoms  are  associated  with  a  tenaceous  clay  matrix 
very  diflBcult  to  eliminate  by   boiling  or  acid  treatment. 
It  may  be  easily  removed  by  trituration  on  a  soft  rubber 
surface  freeing  the  silicious  organisms  in  abundance;  and 
when  they  are  so  freed,   it  is  noted  that  the  surface  and 
interior  of  the  diatoms,  especially  the  Biddulphia,  and 
Actinocyclii,  are  densely  packed  with  crystalline  bundles. 
These  crystals  may  be  removed  by   digesting  in  a  mix- 
ture of  equal  parts  of  sulphuric  and  hydrochloric  acids. 
It  will  also  be  noted  that  the  larger  Coscinodiscii  are 
encrusted  with  blackish  spherules  of  ironpyrite.      This 
can  be  removed  by  digesting  in  nitric  acid.     When  the 
acid  treatment  is  properly  carried  out,  fair  slides  may  be 
prepared  ;  but  while  the  requirements   noted  here  may 
seem  formidable  or  tedious,  there  is  a   very  simple  and 
direct  process  that  any  one  can  use  for  all  essential  pur- 
poses of  study.     For  this  purpose  it  is  merely  necessary 
to  take  a  piece  of  the  crude  diatomaceous  clay  as  large 
as  a  lima-bean,  wet  it  with  water,   place  it  in  the  palm 
of  the  left  hand,  and  crush  it  down  by  the  pressure  of 
the  fingers  of  the  right    hand.     Then  with  the  tip  of  the 
index  finger  of  the  right  hand  the  clay  is  continuously 
triturated  until  no  visible  small  particles  or  lumps  are 
evident.     In  the  trituration,  utilize  as  much   surface  of 
the  palm  as  the  hand  will  permit.    The   triturated  layer 
is  then  removed  clean  from  the  hand  by  a  pocket  knife 
blade  and  transferred  to  a  small  shallow  saucer-like  ves- 
sel.    Water   is  added,  and   the   paste  is  dabbled,  which 
will  free  the  diatoms.      Allow  them  to  settle  to  the  bot- 
tom.    The  clay  water  is  then  poured  off  carefully,  and 
additional  water  added  a  few  times  to  remove  the  remain- 
ing flocculent  matter.     Then  the  diatoms  may  be  readily 
concentrated  by  a  gentle  twirling  on  an  incline  and  tilt- 
ing to  one  side.     Then  a  pippette  will  remove  the  dia- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18»7.]         MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  177 

toins  leaving  the  larger  and  coarser  portions  to  the  rear. 
By  this  means  enough  diatoms  may  be  secured  for  a  trial 
study  of  five  or  more  slides  from  a  very  small  piece. 

This  simple  process  is  susceptible  of  great  refinement 
when  properly  done.  It  is  the  most  expeditions  way  in 
which  to  get  acquainted  with  the  characters  of  the  depos- 
it ;  whereas,  if  the  process  does  not  give  satisfactory  re- 
sults at  the  hands  of  anyone  trying  it,  the  customary 
process  of  boiling  in  alkaline,  or  acid  solutions  would  have 
to  be  resorted  to.  More  time  is  thus  consumed  and  it 
will  scarcely  remove  the  amorphous  clay  particles  which 
are  apt  to  interfere  with  a  good  concentration.  I  deem 
the  suggestions  given  herein  as  pertinent,  as  the  deposit 
belongs  to  the  category  of  deposits  seldom  available,  and 
thus  involves  experimental  tentative  processes  for  its 
mastery. 

The  deposit  oflFers  a  problem  to  the  chemist,  viz :  to 
find  an  acid  or  combination  of  acids  which  will  promptly 
dissolve  the  compound  mineral  which  has  metamorphosed 
the  internal  chambers  or  casts  left  by  the  Foraminifera. 
These  shell  casts  seem  to  be  proof  against  four  of  the 
commoner  reagent  acids.  This  problem  ofi'ers  a  fine  ex^ 
perimental  field  in  the  line  of  micro-chemistry. 

If  a  simple  water  cleaned  slide  of  the  diatoms  is  placed 
under  the  microscope  using  a  1  inch  or  a  J  inch  objective 
remarkable  chemical  phenomena  may  be  observed.  By 
depositing  a  drop  of  sulphuric  acid  on  the  slide,  and  then 
adding  a  drop  of  muriatic  acid,  every  foraminiferal  form 
will  be  violently  attacked  and  torrents  of  gas  bubbles 
will  be  thrown  off*  in  streams  until  the  internal  casts 
within  the  foraminifera  are  exposed.  Then  the  power 
of  the  acids  is  at  an  end.  In  the  meantime  the  diatoms 
will  have  been  materially  brightened,  revealing  the 
sculptural  markings  more  clearly,  where  not  masked  by 
pyrites.  The  action  of  the  nitric  acid  in  dissolving  the 
iron  mineral  does  not  present  any  phenomenon  of  inter- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


178  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [June 

est  as  it  is  rather  slow  ia  its  action.     It  seems  to  be  es- 
sentia] in  improving  the  appearance  of  the  preparations. 

Durittg  the  coarse  of  my  studies  of  this  new  deposit  I 
made  sketches  of  all  the  forms  found  in  the  material  in 
the  hope  of  being  able  to  identify  the  various  species, 
but  I  found  that  it  was  a  hopeless  task  to  identify  the 
majority  of  the  species  with  certainty.  I  had  available 
one  MpUer  Type  Plate,  one  Getchsman  Type  Plate,  cov- 
ering some  five  hundred  species,  Kain's  Blue  print  copy 
of  Adolf  Schmidt's  Atlas  (80  plates  only)  and  WoUe's 
Diatomaceffi  of  North  America.  All  of  these  were  only 
serviceable  as  giving  the  genera  alone.  The  identifica- 
tion of  the  species  with  their  aid  was  impracticable. 
The  identification  of  a  species  involves  the  highest  criti- 
cal skill,  as  indicated  in  the  critical  notes  attached  to 
Schmidt's  figures.  So  I  leave  the  determination  of  the 
species  characterizing  the  Suggesville  deposit  to  those 
who  have  a  genius  for  such  work. 

Immediately  on  determining  that  I  had  found  an  inter- 
esting and  new  deposit  with  unfamiliar  North  American 
species  I  at  once  forwarded  to  Mr.  J.  Tempere,  of  Paris, 
a  specimen  of  the  new  earth.  He  replied  that  he  had 
received  the  material,  and  that  he  would  clean  it,  and 
send  me  a  list  of  the  species  contained  in  the  same.  Six 
months  have  elapsed  and  nothing  in  reference  to  the 
deposit  has  been  received  from  him.  This  may  show  that 
it  takes  time  to  determine  with  accuracy  the  species  in 
an  unfamiliar  deposit. 

Incidentally  there  is  an  element  of  scientific  romance 
connected  with  the  Suggsville  find  which  may  be  stated 
in  this  wise  :  Some  ten  or  more  years  ago  a  letter  came 
to  me  from  the  Alabama  State  Geologist,  Dr.  E.  A.  Smith, 
enclosing  a  letter  of  inquiry  to  him  from  an  Atlantic 
Coast  Geologist.  It  asked  whether  there  was  a  known 
fossil  Marine  Diatomaceous  deposit  within  the  bounds  of 
Alabama.     The  party  writing  was  interested  in  the  sub- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  1T9 

ject  from  a  geologic  standp^oint.  The  letter  was  referred 
to  me  for  a  reply,  as  I  was  supposed  to  be  the  only  per- 
son in  Alabama  that  could  give  the  information. 

At  that  date  nothing  was  known  of  a  fossil  Marine 
deposit  of  any  kind,  not  even  a  fresh  water  fossil  deposit 
was  known.  We  only  had  available  the  recent  Marine 
Diatoms  of  the  Gulf  and  the  likewise  recent  fresh  water 
sources.  Since  that  date,  the  whole  Diatom  subject  is 
practically  exhausted  for  this  locality,  and  duly  put  upon 
record  for  tho  benefit  of  the  whole  world. 

The  writer  of  the  letter  proved  to  be  Lewis  Woolman, 
of  Overbrook,  Pa.,  but  latterly  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  who 
in  connection  or  in  collaboration  with  the  Geological  Sur- 
vey of  Pennsylvania,  has  been  identified  with  the  study 
of  water-bearihg  strata  or  horizons  as  determined  through 
the  study  of  Artesian  well  borings  and  other  sources.  He 
is  also  the  originator  of  an  hypothesis  involving  the  as- 
sumption that,  in  the  epoch  in  which  the  Miocene  strata 
were  laid  down  or  deposited,  there  was  deposited  along 
the  Atlantic  Coastal  area  a  series  of  Diatomaceous  clays, 
one  stratum  of  which  in  particular  represented  by  a  de- 
posit of  at  least  300  feet  in  thickness,  and  designated  by 
him  the  "great  300  foot  diatomaceous  stratum."  He  had 
reason  to  believe  it  might  be  traced  somewhere  all  along 
from  New  Jersey  to  the  Florida  peninsular,  and  sweep- 
ing around  to  and  occupying  a  portion  of  the  Gulf  of  Mex- 
ico Costal  plain  even  into  Alabama. 

It  was  with  the  object  of  collecting  data  to  verify  his 
assumption,  that  he  sought  the  aid  of  many  correspon- 
dents in  securing  material  with  which  to  establish  the 
truth  of  his  hypothesis.  I  rendered  him  every  reasonable 
assistance  by  furnishing  specimens.  By  this  means,  I  put 
upon  record  at  different  periods,  the  important  fresh  wat- 
er deposit  of  Montgomery,  Ala.,  the  fossil  marine  Dia- 
tomaceous clay  from  the  Tampa,  Fla.  phosphatic  area,  the 
pyritized  and  mineralized  diaotms  of  the  Mobile,  Ala., 


Digitized  by 


Google 


180  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [June 

artesiau  well  area  clays  650  below  surface,  also  the  Rad- 
iolarian  aud  Diatomaceous  clays  of  the  Buhrstone  Eocene 
of  Alabama  and  Mississippi,  the  Holothurian  fossil  re- 
mains of  the  Clarke  Co.,  (Miss.)  marls. 

All  of  these  various  deposits  were  but  of  inconsequen- 
tial interest  to  his  purposes,  as  none  furnished  data  of 
direct  use  to  him.  But  finally  a  ray  of  hope  dawned 
giving  new  zeal  to  his  hope  of  finding  the  missing  link 
in  his  data  requirements,  when  the  15  feet  or  more  stra- 
tum of  a  marine  fossil  diatomaceous  clay  was  announced 
by  me  as  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Sug^sville,  Clarke  Co., 
Ala.  Mr.  L.  Woolman  since  then  has  had  the  satisfaction 
of  getting  the  material  wherewith  to  study  the  corres- 
pondence of  the  Alabama  deposit  in  its  specific  forms, 
with  the  material  and  specific  forms  characterizing  the 
composition  of  the  Miocene  clays  of  the  Atlantic  Coast. 

The  Geological  Map  of  the  State  of  Alabama  locates 
Suggaville  in  the  area  of  the  Eocene  designated  as  E.  1., 
equivalent  to  the  St.  Stephens;  (Vicksburg;  White 
Limestone,  and  Jackson  )  or  uppermost  member  of  the 
Eocene,  while  the  true  Miocene  should  rest  upon  this 
group  of  strata.  A  comparative  study  of  the  Pacific 
Coast  Diatomaceous  species  and  fhat  of  the  Atlantic 
Coast  species  of  the  Miocene  age  by  me  suggests  that  the 
Suggsville  deposit  is  more  nearly  allied  to  those  of  the 
Pacific  deposits  than  to  those  of  the  Atlantic  Coast. 


Foraminifera  of  the  Marine  Clays  of  Maine. — By  Frank 
S.  Morton,  Portland,  Maine.     8  vo.,  18pp.,  1  plate. 

Thisis  a  paper  extracted  from  the  proceedingsof  the  Port- 
land Society  of  Natural  History  for  1897.  After  a  brief 
description  of  the  localities  from  which  the  material 
was  derived,  the  writer  g-ives  the  systematic  classifica- 
tion of  the  forms,  and  bibliographical  notes.  Students  of 
the  Rhizopoda  can  perhaps  obtain  a  copy  by  writing  to  the 
author  at  Portland. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18»7J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  181 

Remarks  upon  the  Diatomaceae. 

By  J.  G.  WALLER, 

LONDON. 

[From  the  President's  Address  before  The  Quekett  Clab.] 

They  are  ubiquitous,  and  fouud  everywhere  in  water, 
whether  in  the  ocean,  or  river,  or  the  merest  trickling 
rill.  It  is  an  interesting  fact,  you  can  in  many  instances 
predict  the  character  of  what  you  will  find,  according  to 
the  conditions  under  which  they  exist,  and  they  have 
more  than  any  other  organism  been  favored  by  constant 
research.  Tne  development  of  the  microscope  itself  has 
gone  on  coincidently  with  our  knowledge.  Some  diatoms 
have  l(»ng  been  test  objects  wherewith  to  examine  the 
highest  powers.  At  the  time  when  Ehrenberg  wrote, 
probably  most  observers  considered  with  him  that  they 
belonged  to  the  animal  kingdom  ;  and  this  view  lingered 
on,  finding  its  supporters  even  when  Andrew  Prichard, 
in  1861.  published  his  admirable  compilation  on  the 
"Infusoria."  Although  this  is  now  quite  given  up,  one 
must  not  condemn  too  readily  views  that  were  partly 
suggested  by  the  movements  of  certain  species.  Truth 
is  a  growth,  the  result  of  observation,  but  it  is  slow  in 
progress,  as  the  history  of  opinion  on  the  most  important 
of  subjects  declares  unto  us.  But,  if  we  assume  that  the 
movement  of  the  Naviculacea)  was  due  to  animal  nature, 
the  next  step  was  to  tell  us  how  this  was  accomplished. 
So  some  observers  distinctly  saw  a  ciliated  apparatus. 
This,  however  is  the  old  story  ;  you  can  always  see  what 
you  wish  to  see,  that  which  your  mind  has  determined ; 
and  it  is  not  agreeable  to  many,  perhaps  to  most  minds, 
to  think  that  your  eyes  may  deceive  you.  Yet  this  is  a 
lesson  that  the  raicroscopist  must  learn,  and  it  is  an 
important  one.  The  study  of  the  Diatomaceae  continu- 
ally imposes  this  upon  us.    One  species  has  exercised  all 


Digitized  by 


Google 


182  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [June 

tUe  faculties  required  in  minute  examination — the  Pleu- 
rosigma  angulatum —  which  has  in  itself  a  history  singu- 
lar in  the  various  waves  of  opinion  and  attempted  dem- 
onstration. The  markings  of  its  silicious  envelope  at 
first  presented  striae,  which  further  maguification  deter- 
mined into  a  series  of  semi-circular  bosses,  or  at  other 
times,  according  to  other  views,  so  many  depressions  or 
apertures.  The  first  was  once  attempted  to  be  illustra- 
ted by  a  glass  tumbler,  the  sides  of  which  consisted  of 
so  many  raised  bulbs.  It  was  thought  that  a  similar 
material  would  be  similarly  affected  by  the  action  of  light 
and  thus  would  prove,  or  tend  to  prove,  the  true  con- 
struction of  the  valve.  In  the  theory  of  elevations,  it  is 
not  so  long  ago  that  arrangements  were  made  in  side 
illuminations  by  a  pencil  of  light,  thus  supposing  to  give 
a  true  and  artistic  light  and  shade.  But,  in  both  these 
nice  experiments,  it  seemed  to  be  forgotten  that  they 
were  begun  in  a  foregone  conclusion  ;  and,  as  I  have 
previously  said,  you  naturally,  in  such  a  case,  see  what 
you  wish  to  see.  Certain  accidents,  fractures,  and  pecu- 
liarities inconsistent  with  the  above-named  views,  assis- 
ted by  careful  illumination,  seem  now  to  have  tolerably 
settled  the  question  to  be  on  the  side  of  apertures,  and 
my  predecessor  has  worked  successfully  thereto.  That 
this  must  be  the  general  consent  on  such  markings 
throughout  the  Diatomacea)  must  probably  be  entertain- 
ed, though  it  would  be  dangerous  to  afiirm  that  there 
was  no  variation  from  it  in  the  multiform  changes  of 
nature. 

But  the  subject  has  been  so  admirably  worked  outand 
recorded  by  two  papers  in  our  Journal,  one  by  Mr.  C. 
Haughton  Gill,  April,  1890,  in  which  is  well  described 
his  mode  of  preparation  of  the  objects  wherewith  to 
determine  the  structure.  Another  by  Mr.  Nelson,  in 
May,  1891,  goes  into  the  same  matter  by  the  use  of  high 
powers,  and  these  papers,  showing  a  working  on  difl^er- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  183 

ent  lines,  yet  arriving  at  the  same  results,  commend 
themselves  as  conclusive.  Nor  can  we  forget  the  emin- 
ent services  on  diatom  structure  rendered  by  our  Secre- 
tary, Mr.  Karop,  associated  with  further  ideas  on  their 
development.  But  the  diatom  will  never  cease  to  be  of 
primary  importance  to  the  microscopist,  as  the  abundance 
and  variety  of  its  forms  even  exhaust  our  imagination, 
and  the  volumes  written  upon  it,  though  numerous,  seem 
to  be  only  forerunners  of  more  to  come. 

I  have  alluded  to  the  movements  which  were  once 
thought  to  be  one  of  the  reasons  to  indicate  animal  life, 
as  seen  in  the  Naviculaceaj ;  but  in  these  forms  it  is  by 
no  means  so  remarkable  as  in  one  less  commonly  met 
with,  viz.,  the  Bacillaria  paradoxa,  wherein  a  number  of 
parallel  rods  slide  out  side  by  side  on  each  other,  in 
a  manner  so  curious  as  to  challenge  all  hypotheses  to 
clearly  explain  them  to  us. 

But  movement  can  in  no  way  of  itself  be  recognised  as 
a  distinction  of  animal  nature,  and  many  examples  of  the 
Algae,  notably  that  of  Volvox  globator,  go  far  beyond 
what  is  seen  in  any  of  the  Diatomaceae,  and  sometimes 
there  is  a  lingering  of  opinion  here,  as  to  which  order 
the  latter  should  belong.  Hesitation  of  this  kind  has  its 
value,  as  it  directs  attention  to  the  subject,  and,  finally 
to  a  decision.  Sponges  are  now  relegated  to  the  animal 
kingdom,  but  it  is  singular  that  doubts  on  this  should 
have  belonged  to  modern  science;  for  Pliny,  who  wrote 
at  the  beginning  of  the  Christian  era,  in  his  curious  com- 
pilation, entitled  **Natural  History/' distinctly  saw  the 
true  place  they  should  occupy. 

One  might  quote  eminent  names  near  to  our  own  time 
who  have  taken  a  diflferent  view,  and  it  is  remarkable, 
that  one  of  such  large  experience  as  the  late  Dr.  Gray,  of 
the  British  Museum,  should  have  been  once  on  this  side 
and  considered  the  spicules  the  analogues  of  the  hairs  of 
plants.     This  comes  out  in  a  passage  of  arms   between 


Digitized  by 


Google 


184  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [June 

him  and  Dr.  Bowerbank,  who  coald  not  avoid  giving  so 
home  a  truHt  as  to  remind  him  of  it.  Even  after  it  was 
generally  allowed  that  they  belonged  to  the  animal  king- 
dom, a  reservation  was  made  for  sometime  before  the 
fresh-water  sponges  were  placed  in  the  same  position. 
Observers  conld  not  have  seen,  as  I  have,  the  blowfly 
hovering  over  and  depositing  its  eggs,  attracted  doubt- 
less, by  the  offensive  odor  of  decomposing  flesh. 


How  the  Bacterial  Organisms  are  Studied. 

By  J.  E.  LAMB,  M.  D., 

WAHOO,    NKBB. 

The  technique  of  investigating  these  microscopic  plants 
is  manifold.  Microscopy  alone  is  inadequate.  Identifi- 
cation requires  other  tests  than  those  afforded  by  the 
microscope. 

These  tests  are  : — 1.  Staining  agents.  2.  Appear- 
ance of  cultures.  3.  Reaction  to  heat  and  oxygen.  4. 
Pathogeny. 

1.  Staining  agents, — Watery  solution  of  the  aniline 
dyes  penetrates  the  protoplasm  in  the  cell  bodies  of  most 
bacteria,  yet  the  tubercle  bacillus  long  eluded  observa- 
tion because  it  absorbs  the  solution  only  when  the  water 
is  reinforced  by  some  other  agent  like  carbolic  acid  or 
alcohol.  This  microbe  is  stained  with  great  difficulty, 
but  once  stained,  it  is  very  resistant  to  decolorizing 
agents.  Upon  these  facts,  all  staining  solutions  and 
methods  of  staining  are  founded.  Some  operate  slowly, 
others  more  rapidly. 

In  order  to  appreciate  and  differentiate  the  tubercle 
bacillus,  the  following  solutions  and  methods  of  use,  are 
more  easy  and  simple  to  manipulate  than  any  others  with 
which  the  writer  is  acquainted.  It  is  hoped  they  may 
prove  as  acceptable  as  those  you  are  now  using. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  186 

I.  Puchsin  pulv,  15  grains;  Alcohol,  2 drams;  Aquae 
distillat,  1  ounce. 

II.  Aqu»  distillat,  1  ounce ;  Liquor  ammonia,  3 
minims. 

III.  Alcohol,  li  ounces;  Aqu»  distillat,  6  drams; 
Nitric  acid,  i  dram.     Aniline  green,  to  saturation. 

To  stain  : 

1.  Gently  press  a  small  part  of  the  most  solid  portion 
of  the  suspected  sputum  between  two  cover  glasses. 

2.  During  five  minutes,  place  one  cover  glass  in 
equal  portions  of  solutions  one  and  two,  heated  till  va- 
por rises. 

3.  Rinse  in  water,  put  a  drop  of  solution  three  on  it, 
rinse  again.  If  the  mount  is  not  a  distinct  green,  put 
on  another  drop  of  solution  three,  wash  again,  dry  and 
examine. 

The  use  of  the  following  will  also  afford  gratifying 
results  : 

Ziehl's  Solution. — Fuchsin  pulv,  Ipart;  Alcohol,  10 
parts;  Acid  carbolic,  5  per  cent,  sol.,  100  parts. 

Gabbet's  Solution. — Methylin  blue,  2  parts;  Acid  sul- 
phuric, 25  per  cent  sol.,  100  parts. 

1.  Prepare  mount  as  above,  hold  high  over  a  flame 
until  dry. 

2.  Place  cover-glass  in    ZiehPs  solution  five  minutes. 

3.  Place  cover-glass  in  Gabbet^s  solution  one  minute. 

4.  Dry,  examine  with  oil  immersion. 

If  a  hurried  diagnosis  is  unimportant,  but  permanent 
mounts  desired : 

1.  Place  cover-glass,  with  dried  sputum,  in  Ziehl's 
solution  twelve  hours. 

2.  Hold  in  ,  nitric  acid,  25  per  cent  solution,  till 
brownish  black. 

3.  Hold  in  alcohol  five  seconds. 

4.  Hold  in  water  one  second. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


186  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Jane 

5.  Dip  ouce  in  two,  three,  and  four,  if  color  is  deeper 
than  light  pink. 

6.  Cover  mount  with  Gabbet's    solution  two  rainnt«»8. 

7.  Dry  and  examine  as  above. 

A  one-eight  or  one-sixth  objective,  in  other  words*,  the 
enlargement  of  400  diameters,  with  or  without  eye-piece 
multiplications,  produces  a  clear  field  sufficient  for  diag- 
nostic purposes. 

Alcohol  mixed  with  fresh  sputum  in  order  to  pre- 
serve it,  coagulates  the  albumen  which  should  l)e  softened 
with  a  two  per  cent  solution  of  caustic  potash  before 
spreading  over  a  cover-glass.  A  saturated  solution  of 
borax  preserves  the  sputum,  liquifies  the  mucus  and  do»»8 
not  coagulate  the  albumen. 

Most  cocci  take  Gram's  staining  readily.  The  gouo- 
coccus,  however,  beino;  an  exception,  will  not  take  Grams 
method,  this  being  one  of  its  main  diagnostic  features.  It 
takes  all  the  ordinary  aniline  stains. 

Gram's  Solution. —  Iodine,  1  part;  Potassi  lodidi,  2 
parts ;  Aqua?  disiillat,  100  parts. 

The  potash  is  not  indispensable  but  added  to  facilitate 
solution. 

2.  The  color  of  colonies, — If  the  individual  bacteria 
in  any  given  species  be  grown  on  a  suitable  soil,  such  as' 
gelatine,  bouillon  or  potato,  there  results  a  mass  or  col- 
ony of  these  minute  plants  whose  size,  shape  and  color 
afford  essential  means  of  differentiating  the  organisiOH, 
and  the  bacteriologist  uses  them  for  recoguizing  his  min- 
ute plants  just  as  the  chemist  uses  the  behavior  of  a 
given  substance  to  identify  his  still  more  minute  mole- 
cules. The  streptococcus  grows  into  light  gray  colonies 
while  the  staphylococcus  produces  bright  yellow. 

It  is  only  when  growing  in  masses  that  enough  color 
is  formed  to  be  visible.  Not  infrequently  are  these 
colored  masses  so  luminous  that  they  can  be  photo- 
graphed by  their  own  light  when  placed  U  ^  (Jark  room. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  187 

Indeed,  the  color  of  our  mischievous  microbe  played  a 
conspicuous  part  in  many  of  those  natural  phenomena 
which,  by  their  lack  of  apparent  cause,  were  in  early 
times  relegated  to  the  domain  of  the  supernatural.  That 
wavering,  cold,  uncanny  phosphorescent  light,  seen  at 
night  time  in  putrid  plants  or  by  the  sea  side,  is  our  in- 
nocuoas  microbe.  The  consecrated  wafer  placed  in  the 
bacteria-laden  air  of  the  church  edifice  over  night  was 
found  besprinkled   with  crimson  drops  in    the  morning. 

The  legends  are  long  and  tragic  of  the  dire  calamities, 
unmentionable  crimes  and  swift  retributions  which  the 
strange  appearance  of  our  chromogenic  microbe  was 
supposed  to  foreshadow. 

A  recourse  to  the  supernatural  to  elucidate  all  these 
natural  phenomena,  is  no  longer  necessary,  for  to-day, 
we  cultivate  and  study  the  tiny  bacillus  prodigiosus 
which  made  the  drops  of  blood,  the  mingled  green  and 
blue  phosphorescence. 

3.  Heat  and  Oxygen. — Like  the  larger  plants,  differ- 
ent species  of  bacteria  require  different  temperatures  for 
their  growth.  Most  all  grow  well  at  60''  to  HO''  F.,  but 
the  tubercle  bacillus  ceases  to  grow  below  92°  F. 

As  microbes  assume  very  diverse  forms  in  accordance 
with  the  nature  of  their  environments,  so  also  their 
habitat  and  mode  of  life  divide  them  into  very  distinct 
classes. 

The  aerobines  can  subsist  only  when  they  breath  the 
natural  oxygen  they  withdraw  from  the  atmosphere. 

The  anaerobines  live  within  fluids  and  living  organ- 
isms and  derive  the  oxygen  necessary  for  their  respira- 
tion from  the  oxygenated  substances  in  which  they  are 
found.  To  the  latter  class,  belong  all  microbes  which 
provoke  pathological  changes  when  introduced  into  the 
blood. 

4.  Pathogenesis. — Living  animal  tissues  afford  unfa- 
vorable   soil    for   bacterial  growth.       When    introduced 


Digitized  by 


Google 


188  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [June 

into  animals  a  large  majority  produce  no  appreciable 
effect.  It  is  now  known,  however,  that  upwards  of 
thirty  species  are  capable  of  nourishing  themselves  in 
animal  tissues.  No  species  is  pathogenic  in  all  animals 
but  each  only  in  certain  kinds.  The  anthrax  bacillus 
grow»  well  in  shoep  but  refuses  to  grow  when  planted  in 
dogs  and  cats.  Hence,  the  behavior  of  a  given  species 
when  inoculated  into  different  animals,  is  another  means 
of  differentiating  the  organisms. —  St.  Louis  Medical 
Review. 


Algae  found  at  Roche  Abbey,  July  ii,  1896. 

By  J.  NEWTON  CXX)MBE, 

CHAIRMAN   OF  THE  SHEFFIELD  SCHOOL   BOARD. 

The  result  of  my  microscopical  examination  of  the 
gatherings  taken  from  the  Sandbeck  Lake,  and  from  the 
'Wishing  Well'  and  Lake  at  Eoche  Abbey,  on  the  occa- 
sion of  the  Yorkshire  Naturalists'  excursion  there  on  the 
11th  of  July,  1896,  has  been  eminently  satisfactory  aH 
regards  the  Diatomaceae,  which  were  the  objects  of  my 
special  investigation.  Taking  the  above-named  waters 
in  the  order  in  which  they  were  visited,  the  well-khown 
water  weed  (Myriophyllum)  which  grew  very  freely  in 
Sandbeck  Lake,  and  for  a  tube  of  which  I  am  indebted  to 
the  courtesy  of  Mr.  J.  Stubbins,  of  Leeds,  proved  to  be  a 
favorite  habitat  for  the  following  stipitate  species  of  the 
Diatomaceae  :-r  Cocconema  cymbiforme,  Gomphonema 
curvatum,  G.  coiistrictum,  Achnanlhes  exilis,  as  well  as 
of  the  needle-like  Synedra  radians,  and  the  curious  tube 
dwelling  and  somewhat  uncommon  Encyonema  prostra- 
tum,  the  frustules  of  which  last-named  species  move  and 
pass  one  another  up  and  down  their  hyaline  mucous- 
made  tubes  in  very  curious  jerky  fashion. 

The  parasitic  members  of  the  family  were  well  repre- 
sented on  the  same  weed  by  Cocconeis  placentula,  which 
appears  like  so  many  small  lozengera  §tuck  ^11  over  and 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  189 

along  the  decayed  portions  of  the  weed  from  which  the 
chlorophyll  had  departed.  I  was  fortunate  enough  to 
find  in  Mr.  Stabbins*  gathering  two  of  the  frustules  of 
this  species  in  the  interesting  state  of  'conjugation,' 
although  too  much  attached  to  the  weed  to  admit  of  being 
separated  and  mounted  without  injury  to  the  s)«e<'imeu. 

Coming  to  the  water  of  the  'Wishing  Weir  at  Roche 
Abbey,  a  dipping  from  which  brought  me  by  my  wife 
some  two  years  ago  was  found  to  contain  an  almost  pure 
gathering  of  the  by  no  means  common  filamentous  Dia- 
tom Odontidium  mesodon  (W.  Sm.),  I  was  not  a  little 
pleased  on  this  my  first  personal  visit  to  find  floating  in 
the  depths  of  the  cool  clear  well  water,  a  brown  silk- 
worm-silk-like and  perfectly  pure  mass  of  this  interest- 
ing alga.  After  so  successful  a  second  find  of  this  par- 
ticular diatom,  which  I  may  say  I  have  never  met  with 
in  so  pure  and  healthy  a  condition  in  any  other  of  the 
numerous  waters  which  I  have  examined  in  various  parts 
of  South  Yorkshire,  the  'Wishing  Well'  at  Roche  Abbey 
ought  certainly  to  be  noted  by  Yorkshire  naturalists  as 
a  place  to  be  visited  by  the  lovers  of  freshwater  algae  in 
their  search  for  "gems." 

Proceeding  to  the  Lake  close  to  the  Abbey  ruins,  it 
was  but  a  few  minutes  before  I  detected  upon  the  surface 
of  this  picturesque  water  a  small  piece  (about  an  inch 
square)  of  that  peculiar-looking  yellowish-brown  scum 
which  to  an  experienced  eye  is  a  certain  indication  of  a 
'good  find'  of  Diatomaceae.  Upon  examination  under  the 
microscope  the  gathering,  of  which,  needless  to  say,  I 
very  quickly  secured  a  tube,  proved  to  be  in  many 
respects  similar  to  an  extremely  fertile  one  I  made  some 
three  years  ago  from  the  lake  at  Thoresby.  Its  special 
feature  was  its  richness  in  unusually  large  frustules,  .00] '' 
in  length,  of  Pleurosigma  attenuatum,  which,  after  care- 
ful cleaning  and  boiling  in  nitric  acid,  give  a  brilliant 
opal  iridesceuce  of  great  beauty  und^r  dark  g^round  illu- 


I  ,  Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


190 


THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY 


[June 


mination  with  a  magaificatiou  of  two  or  three  haudred 
diameters. 

I  have  been  able  to  identify  and  to  mount  in  Canada 
balsam,  and  also  dry,  the  following  58  species  of  the 
Diatomaceae  in  this  one  gathering,  of  which  over  40  may 
be  seen  on  a  single  slide  under  a.f  in.  circular  cover 
glass : — 


Pleorosigma  attennatom 
**  lacastre 

'*  spencerii 

Nitzschia  sigmoidea 
**       parvala 
**       amphioxys 
Trybhonella  angustata 

**  gracilis 

•Sorirella  biseriata 
**        ovalis 
* '        linearis 
Pinnolaria  viridis 
**         viridula 
"         oblonga 
**         gracilis 
^*         acuta 
*''         radiosa 
Nayicnla  cospidata 
'*         firma 
*  ^         amphisbtena 
**         ^liptica 
**         gibberula 

inflata 
**         affinis 
**         cryptocephala 
'*         biDodis  (?) 
**  bleiscbii(?) 

**         veneta  (?) 
**         prod  acta 


Namula  tamida 
Stanroneis  anceps 
Cymatoplenra  solea 

*^  eUiptica 

**  apicalata 

Cymbella  cospidata 
Ampbora  ovalis 

**      minatiasima 
Diatoma  volgare 

^*      elongatotti 
Odontidiam  harrisonii 

**  matabile 

''  panisiticom 

Denticola  sinoata  (?) 
Gompbonema  carvatam 

*'  ooDstrictam 

Qyclotella  katzingiana 
Ck>cconei8  placentala 
Synedra  alaa 
Ck>cconema  lanceolatom 

* '  dsinla 

**         cymbiforme 
EDcyonema  prostmUmi 

**  ceespitoeam 

AchDanthes  exilis 
Eanotia  mouodon 
Melosira  varians 
Fragilaria  capacina 
CoUetonema  neglectam 


This  time  of  year  and  want  of  rain  were  not  favorable 
for  Desmids,  but  I  came  across  a  few  vigorous  specimens 
of  the  following  species  : — Closterium  striolatum  (show- 
ing very  clearly  the  phenomena  of  cyclosis  and  so-called 
'swarming  of  the  granules'  at  its  extremities),  Pediastrum 
granulatum,  Cosmarium  botrytis,  while  among  the  less 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  191 

common  of  the  filamentous  algae,  I  was  fortunate  enough 
to  find  in  the  Roche  Abbey  Lakeland  subsequently  to  be 
able  to  mount  in  its  own  water  a  well  defined  gathering 
of  Oscillaria  spiralis,  the  curious  and  unexplained  move- 
ments of  which  (as  of  a  headless  screw  turning  continu- 
ally on  its  end)  were  extremely  interesting  to  watch. 

Several  other  and  more  common  species  of  Oscillaria 
and  at  least  three  species  of  Spirogyra  and  Zygnema 
were  abundant  in  the  Lake. — The  Naturalist. 


Some  Facts  About  Podisus  Placidus, 

By  a.  H.  KIRKLAND, 

AMUEBST,    MASS. 

During  the  month  of  May,  1896,  while  making  field 
observations  in  Maiden  and  Medford,  Mass.,  upon  the 
insects  known  to  attack  the  gypsy  moth,  Porthetria  dis- 
par,  I  found  that  many  of  the  common  predaceous  bugs 
upon  emerging  from  hiberation  greedily  availed  them- 
selves of  the  food  supply  offered  by  the  tent  caterpillar 
and  destroyed  large  numbers  of  this  insect.  They  enter- 
ed the  tents  and  prey  upon  the  insects. 

When  feeding,  these  Pentatomide  insert  the  setae  only, 
and  not  the  sheath,  into  ihe  body  of  the  caterpillar.  I 
have  watched  them  very  carefully  under  a  hand  lens 
and  my  observations  fully  agree  with  those  of  Mr.  Mar- 
latt,  as  given  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  Entomological 
Society  of  Washington,  D.  C,  Vol.  II.,  p.  249.  I  have 
seen  P.  placidus  extend  its  setae  beyond  the  end 
of  the  beak  to  a  distance  equal  to  the  length  of  the 
last  rostral  joint.  When  the  setae  are  inserted  in  a 
strongly  chitinized  part,  the  struggles  of  the  larva  often 
pull  them  from  the  sheath.  In  such  cases  the  beak  is 
drawn  through  the  fore  tarsi  in  the  same  manner  that  an 
ant  cleans  its  antenus,  and  thus  the  sets  are  forced  back 
into  the  sheath.     I  have  also  removed  the  set®  of  P.  cv- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


192  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [June 

aicus  from  the  sheath  by  means  of  a  fine  needle  applied 
along  the  labram  and  have  seen  them  replaced  in  the 
same  manner.  The  nymphs  of  this  species  were  also 
found  attacking  the  larv»  of  the  currant  sawfly. — Can. 
Entomologist. 


EDITORIAL. 


Restriction  of  Vivisection. — A  bill  is  pending  in  the  U. 
S.  Senate  to  restrict  vivisection.  Numerous  men  who 
consider  themselves  accurate  observers  are  opposing  it 
and  are  representing  that  it  '*  prevents  experiments  upon 
living  animals."  They  show  themselves  to  be  neither  ac- 
curate observers  nor  accurate  readers  for  it  does  nothing 
of  the  sort.  The  bill  permits  : — (1)  All  the  experiments 
performed  while  the  animal  is  insensible  to  pain,  (2)  All 
kinds  of  surgical  operations  for  testing  new  methods  of 
surgical  procedure,  (3)  The  testing  of  new  drugs  or  medi- 
cines, (4)  All  kinds  of  inoculation  experiments  or  bacterio- 
logical investigations  into  the  causes  of  diseases. 

Out  of  1239  replies  from  the  leading  physicians  written 
on  this  subject,  968  have  favored  such  restrictions  as  are 
made  in  this  bill. 

Dr.  L.  E.  Rauterberg,  late  of  the  microscopical  divi- 
sion of  the  Army  Medical  Museum  has  written  to  a  senator 
as  follows : 

It  was  my  lot  for  a  number  of  years  to  be  enguged  in  the 
microscopical  division  of  the  Arm)  Medical  Museum, 
where  I  saw  practiced  the  most  inhuman  and  barbarous 
mutilations  of  animals  under  the  supervision,  and  with  the 
sanction,  of  the  United  States  officer  in  charge.  A  desired 
part  or  section  of  the  animal  would  be  removed,  not  under 
anaesthesia,  and  the  poor  beast  would  be  then  placed  back 
in  its  cage  or  vessel  until  it  suited  the  convenience  of  the 
operator  to  help  himself  to  another  portion  so  long  as  the 
animal  would  survive  these  tortures.  I  have  thus  seen  ani- 
mals with  eyes,  sections  of  brain,  and  other  parts  removed 
and. kept  in  reserve  for  future  experiment  for  a  number 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897.J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURN4L.  193 

of  days,  and  for  the  verificatioa  and  repetition  of  results 
obtained  and  published  years  ago. 

These'unnecessary  horrors,  practiced  openly  with  sanc- 
tion of  United  States  medical  officers,  make  me  think  that 
stringent  laws  are  needed  to  restrict  such  proceedings. 
None  should  be  permitted  not  calculated  to  give  addition- 
al useful  information,  and  then  under  perfect  anaesthesia, 
and  under  the  supervision  of  a  board  of  competent  men 
assigned  to  that  duty. 

Aware  of  the  possibility  of  such  a  condition  in  a  scientific 
institution  located  in  the  District  of  Columbia  and  under 
the  control  of  a  government  so  supine,  can  any  one,  knowing 
of  the  existence  of  the  above-named  abuses,  oppose  a  bill 
that  aims  to  make  such  conduct  amenable  to  law? 

Nomenclature. — It  has  always  been  a  source  of  surprise 
to  us  that  men  will  spend  so  much  time  over  questions  of 
nomenclature  and  even  of  classification.  The  real  nature  of 
plants  and  animals  furnishes  a  great  variety  of  topics  for 
study,  and  we  ought  to  be  able  to  interest  ourselves  there- 
in to  the  exclusion  of  contests  over  nomenclature.  No- 
menclature has  usually  been  based  on  a  few  superficial 
characters  and  has  therefore  been  liable  to  incessant  change 
as  the  result  of  discovering  new  facts.  All  this  is  a  false 
view  of  matters  and  is  not  scientific. 

A  scientific  nomenclature  would  be  absolutely  arbitrary. 
Let  blue  things  be  called  viridis;  let  short  things  be  called 
longus;  let  it  be  fully  understood  that  pending  the  acqui- 
sition of  full  knowledge  of  a  form  our  name  is  no  clue  to 
its  characters.  We  must  call  it  something  but  it  matters 
not  what  we  call  it  if  we  agree  upon  its  name.  An  arbitra- 
ry name  once  affixed,  let  no  one  challenge  it  or  seek  to 
change  it.  As  a  sample  of  the  foolishness  which  men  of 
pseudo-science  are  forever  indulging  in,  the  following  quo- 
tation will  be  of  interest.  It  is  from  the  Presidential  Ad- 
dress delivered  before  the  London  Quekett  Club  recently 
and  it  is  proper  to  apologize  for  filling  our  space  even  to 
this  extent  with  such  nonsense.  Mr.  Thomas  and  Mr. 
Carter  are  both  too  sensible  men  to  waste  time  in  frivolity. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


194  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [June 

Mr.  Waller  is  wiser  but  might  perhaps  still  better  have 
omitted  all  allusion  to  the  facts.  In  another  place  he  shows 
good  ideas  of  nomenclature  by  asking  whether  the  names 
Leidyi,  Millsii,  Muleri,  Baileyi,  Capewelli,  Ramsayi,  Ever- 
etti,  give  anymore  information  than  letters  or  numerals. 
We  far  prefer  the  numerals. 

The  quotation  is  as  follows: 

"When  Professor  Hitchcock,  of  the  United  States,  was 
over  here  a  few  years  ago  I  gave  him  a  specimen  of  the 
Ditchleys  spongilla  for  his  collection,  and  others  also  dis- 
tributed by  or  through  me  found  their  way  to  America,  and 
I  sent  a  slide  to  Mr.  Carter.  After  some  time  had  elapsed 
I  heard  that  Mr.  B.  W.  Thomas,  an  earnest  worker  of 
Chicago,  had  found  the  same  variety  in  the  river  Calumet, 
and  seeing  its  identity  with  that  of  Ditchleys,  and  finding 
that,  in  my  description,  I  had  declined  specially  naming  it, 
he  proposed  to  call  it  Meyenia  calumetica.  Then  Mr. 
Carter,  who  had  received  a  specimen  from  Mr.  Thomas, 
saw  that  it  was  identical  with  that  he  had  received  from  me 
turned  his  attention  to  the  subject,  and  in  an  elaborate  arti- 
cle in  **Ann.  and  Mag.  of  Natural  History"  gave  it  the 
name  of  Meyenia  angustibirotulata,  which  title  Mr.  Ed- 
ward Potts,  in  his  admirable  ''Monograph  on  the  Fresh- 
water Sponges  of  America,"  has  accepted.  Mr.  Thomas 
then  feels  annoyed  that  he  should  thus  be  superseded,  as 
Mr.  Carter  had,  in  the  first  instance,  declared  against  its 
being  a  variety. 

For  myself,  who  first  discovered  it  19  years  ago,  and 
might  have  claimed  some  voice  in  the  matter,  I  could  not 
be  otherwise  than  amused  at  the  little  quarrel  amongst 
my  friends,  I  having  decided  against  giving  the  variation 
any  separate  name,  my  views  leading  me  in  another  direc- 
tion. 

One  satisfaction  I  have,  however,  gained  in  the  knowl- 
edge that  the  Spongilla  of  the  riverCalumet  is  also  found 
growing  upon  the  stem  of  aqujitic  plants,  as  it  tends  to 
establish,  what  one  would  naturally  feel,  that  similar  con- 
ditions produce  similar  results." 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J 


MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL. 


195 


MIUB08C0PIGAL  APPARATUS. 


Distilling  Water. —  The  most  inexpensive  method  of 
distilling-  water  is  always  a  practical  question.  I  have 
an  apparatus  that  I  had  made  which  cost  but  little,  and 
can  be  made  upon  a  comparatively  large  or  small  scale — 
viz.,  for  a  small  oil  or  gas  stove  to  one  the  size  of  a  cook- 


stove,  and  can  be  made  by  any  tinner  or  by  any  one  who 
can  cut  tin  and  use  a  soldering  iron. 

Seleet  the  stove  the  size  you  wish  to  use,  and  the  dia- 
gram will  explain  the  process.  A  is  the  compartment  for 
ice  or  cold  water,  F  the  water  to  be  distilled,  D  the  stove. 
The  receptacle  containing  the  ice  or  cold  water  should  be 


Digitized  by 


Google 


196  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [June 

made  to  fit  the  lower  receptacle  tightly  the  same  as  the 
cover  of  an  ordinary  tin  pail,  and  it  will  be  readily  seen 
that  the  steam  rising-  from  the  water  underneath  coming  in 
contact  with  the  cooled  surface  above  would  condense 
and  running  down  the  cone-shaped  condenser,  drop  into 
the  small  funnel. 

As  you  will  see,  this  can  be  made  to  fit  the  smallest  of  oil 
stoves,  or  any  size  larger  as  desired.  It  can  also  be  used 
to  make  all  kinds  of  flavoring  waters  by  dropping  the  arti- 
cle, inclosed  in  a  cloth,  into  the  water  to  be  distilled,  the 
strength  being  determined  by  the  amount  put  in. —  A.  J, 
Harris  in   Pop.  Science  News. 

Note  on  Color  Illumination.  — Julius  Rheinberg  has 
designed  a  new  form  of  substage  differential  color  illumi- 
nator in  order  to  simplify  and  facilitate  the  use  of  color 
discs  and  other  stops  in  the  substage  of  the  microscope. 
It  consists  essentially  of  a  box,  or  slide  carrier  fitted  under 
the  condenser,  in  which  there  are  a  number  of  metal  slides 
which  can  be  pulled  out  or  pushed  in  quite  independently 
of  one  another  by  means  of  little  handles  on  both  sides  of 
the  carrier.  Each  slide  has  two  circular  apertures,  the  one 
being  fitted  with  a  color  disc  or  other  stop,  the  other  one 
being  left  free.  The  kind  of  stop  is  indicated  on  the  han- 
dle. The  openings  in  the  slides  are  so  arranged  that  when 
the  apparatus  is  closed  all  the  free  openings  coincide,  so 
that  illumination  can  be  effected  in  the  ordinary  way. 
When  any  other  illumination  is  required  it  is  only  necess- 
ary to  pull  out  the  particular  stop,  or  combination  of  stops, 
each  stop  being  in  accurate  position  when  pulled  out  as  far 
as  it  will  go. 

In  the  apparatus  there  are  19  stops,  viz.,  a  dark  ground 
stop,  four  stops  which  cause  the  background  to  assume 
various  colors,  four  which  cause  the  object  to  assume  vari- 
ous colors,  stops  causing  the  object  to  be  illuminated  in 
different  colors  from  opposite  sides  in  various  colors  (for 
showing  striations),  and  one  causing  the  object  to  be  illum- 
inated in  different  colors  at  right  angles  to  each  other  for 
showing  striation  etc.,  similarly  situated.     There  are  also 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL 


Si 


stops  for  oblique  ligrht,  several  annuli,  and  a  ground  glass 
stop,  making-  a  compendium  no  doubt  somewhat  too  great 
for  the  general  worker,  but  which  is  very  serviceable  to 
the  experimentalists. 

As  far  as  color  discs  are  concerned  the  stops  are  so 
arranged  that  all  those  which  can  be  pulled  out  from  the 
left  side  of  the  carrier  cause  the  background  to  be  colored 
whilst  those  which  can  be  pulled  out  from  the  right  side 
cause  the  object  to  be  colored. 

The  number  of  effects  which  can  be  obtained  with  such 
an  apparatus  is  unlimited.  Mr.  Rousselet  showed  us  some 
weeks  ago  an  ingenious  color  illuminator,  by  which, accord- 
ing to  a  little  mathematical  calculation,  36  effects  could  be 
obtained.  By  applying  a  similar  calculation  to  this  arrange- 
ment it  would  give  some  few  hundred  millions  of  combina- 
tions. This  number  may  be  too  much  even  for  an  enthu- 
siast, and  one  may  prefer  to  pass  over  from  the  quantita- 
tive to  the  qualitative  use  of  the  arrangement. 

For  simplicity  in  use  it  cannot  be  excelled,  as  it  allows 
of  every  kind  of  illumination  and  stop,  being  automati- 
cally brought  into  action  whilst  the  object  is  under  exami- 
nation. The  best  result  can,  therefore,  be  obtained  with 
far  greater  rapidity  than  ordinarily,  and  comparisons  can 
be  effected  without  having  to  bother  about  taking  stops  in 
and  out,  as  in  the  ordinary  way.  The  apparatus,  although 
efficient,  is  needlessly  clumsy  and  heavy.  The  principle 
can  be  easily  adopted  in  a  neater  form,  and  made  to  fit  any 
condenser. 

How  to  Test  Objectives  is  the  subject  to  which  but 
few  pharmacists  and  physicians  pay  much  attention.  In  a 
lengthy  article  on  the  subject  by  Dr.  A.  C.  Stokes,  pub- 
lished in  the  Journal  of  the  NeiO  York  i\furosi:opicai  Society y 
the  writer  says :  "A  severe  test,  then,  or  one  that  should 
come  within  the  ability  of  the  objective,  and  so  fulfil  the 
conditions  of  the  ideal  object  for  the  purpose,  is,  for  a 
first-class  four-tenth-inch,  the  black  dots  of  Pleurosigma  an- 
gulaium  in  balsam,  and  perhaps,  and  imperfectly,  the  secon- 
dary structure  of  Arachnoidiscus  Ehrenbergii \   for  a  one-fifth 


Digitized  by 


Google 


198  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Jane 

inch,  the  long^itudinal  lines  of  Surirellagemmay  and  the  secon- 
dary structure  Isthmia  nen^osa  with  the  postage  stamp  frac- 
ture ;  for  a  one-eig-hth  inch  or  for  hig-her  powers  up  to  the 
owe-twelfth  the  dotted  secondaries  of  Craspedodislus  ekgam 
in  certain  conditions. 


MICBOSCOPICAL  MANIPULATION. 

To  Stain  the  Ringworm  Fungus. —  Adamson  recom- 
mends the  following-  method  for  permently  staining  trich- 
ophyton : — 1.  Soak  the  hair  in  a  5  to  10  per  cent  solution  of 
caustic  potash  on  a  slide  for  ten  to  thirty  minutes.  2  Wash 
in  15  per  cent  alcohol  in  water.  3.  Dry  on  slide,  and  in 
the  case  of  scales  fix  by  passing-  through  the  flame.  4. 
Stain  fifteen  to  sixty  minutes  in  aniline  g-entian  violet  made 
in  the  usual  way,  by  adding  a  few  drops  of  saturated  alco- 
holic solution  of  g-entian  violet  to  aniline  water.  5.  One  to 
five  minutes  in  Gram's  iodine  solution.  6.  Decolorize  in 
aniline  oil  two  to  three  hours  or  longer.  7.  Remove  super- 
fluous aniline  oil  by  blotting-  paper.  Mount  in  Canada 
balsam. — Phar.  Jour. 

Frozen  Sections. — Ethyl  chloride  might  profitably  be 
employed  in  preparing-  frozen  sections  for  histological  pur- 
poses. The  results  thus  far  obtained  have  been  exceed- 
ing-ly  satisfactory,  and,  while  the  method  is  somewhat 
expensive,  no  accessory  apparatus  is  required  for  the 
microtome. 

Hamilton's  method  of  preparing-  the  tissues  for  freez- 
ing gives  g^ood  results.  Another  way  of  getting  the  tissue 
ready  is  that  recently  advised  by  J.  Orth.  One  hundred 
parts  of  Muller's  fluid  are  mixed  when  wanted  with  ten 
parts  of  formol.  Small  pieces  of  the  tissue  under  examin- 
ation are  fixed  and  hardened  in  this  solution  in  the  incuba- 
tor for  three  hours.  At  the  end  of  this  time  they  are 
removed  and  thoroughly  washed,  and  alcohol  is  gradually 
added  until  they  are  placed  in  95  per  cent  alcohol.  This 
latter  re-ag-ent  must,  of  course,  be  removed  before  the  tis- 
sue is  frozen.      If  desired,   after  washing-,   the  specimen 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  199 

may  be  at  once  transferred  to  the  solution  of  acacia  and 
sug^r  and  frozen.  Or,  as  suggested  by  H.  Plenge  the 
piece  may  be  placed  in  a  4  per  cent  formal-dehyde  solu- 
tion for  a  quarter-of-an-hour,  and  then  frozen  in  the  same 
solution. 

When  the  tissue  has  been  prepared  in  some  such  man- 
ner, or  even  when  perfectly  fresh,  it  is  placed  with  some 
formol  and  gum  acacia  fluid  upon  the  specimen-holder  of 
the  microtome,  and  a  small  stream  of  chloride,  methyl 
chloride  or  anestile  (a  mixture-of  these  two  re-agents)  is 
played  from  above  directly  upon  the  specimen. 

The  tube  containing  the  ethyl  chloride  is  held  about  a 
foot  from  the  specimen,  and  moved  from  place  to  place 
until  the  specimen  is  firmly  attached  to  its  base  of  support 
and  the  upper  portion  is  coated  with  a  few  crystals  of  ice. 
These  crystals  are  extremely  small  and  delicate,  and, 
therefore,  do  not  injure  the  tissue  so  markedly  as  in  some 
other  of  the  freezing  methods.  The  specimen  is  readily 
frozen  in  from  30  seconds  to  a  minute.  Sections  are  then  cut 
and  placed  in  water  or  fifty  per  cent  alcohol,  and  mounted 
in  the  usual  way.  Excellent  stained  preparations  may  be 
prepared  in  fifteen  minutes  or  less  from  the  time  that  the 
tissue  is  removed  from  the  body. 


BACTEBIOLOOT. 


Differentiation  of  the  B.  coli  from  the  B.  typhi  abdo- 
minalis. — Eisner  (Zeitsch.  f.  Hyg.  XXI.)  uses  plates  pre- 
pared with  Holtz's  potato  gelatine,  to  which,  after  it  has 
been  made  slightly  acid,  1  per  cent  of  iodide  of  potash  has 
been  added.  Even  on  this  unfavorable  medium  the  B.  coli 
grows  freely  and  quickly,  but  no  colonies  of  the  B.  typhi 
abdominalis  are  visible  for  48  hours,  and  they  appear  as 
extremely  fine  small,  shining  patches,  like  drops  of  water. 
Controling  his  experiments  by  Pfeiffer's  immune-serum 
process,  Eisner  always  obtained  positive  results  from 
typhoid  stools.  Piorkowski,  at  the  Berlin  Medical  Society 
June  10,  1896,  reported  experiments  in  cultivating  these 
bacilli  on  agar,  bouillon,  and  gelatine  mixed  with  urine. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


200  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [June 

which  had  been  sug-g-ested  to  him  by  the  presence  of  B. 
coli  in  the  bladder.  On  these  media  the  microbes  grew 
luxuriantly,  forming*  greyish  colonies;  theB.  typhi  abd. 
less  rapidly  in  fine  transparent  patches.  In  the  discussion 
Eisner  said  there  were  plenty  of  differential  signs ;  the 
diflBculty  was  to  cultivate  Eberth's  bacillus  when  it  was 
only  present  in  small  numbers — for  instance,  in  water,  or 
mixed  with  other  bacteria,  for  example,  in  stools.  Ewald, 
Wolf,  and  Senator,  all  had  found  Eisner's  method  very 
useful  for  the  diag-nosis  of  doubtful  cases  from  the  stools. — 
Brit.  Med.  Journal. 


BIOLOGICAL  NOTES. 


Fertilization  of  the  Gymnosperms. — A  very  important 
discovery  in  the  mode  of  impregnation  in  Gymnosperms 
made  by  two  Japanese  botanists,  Professor  S.  Ikeno  and 
Dr.  S.  Hirase,  which  was  recently  referred  to  in  our  pag-es, 
supplies  a  most  interesting-  link  between  this  section  of 
Phanerogams  and  the  higher  Cryptograms.  Dr.  Hirase 
has  discovered  that  in  Ginkg-o  bilaba,  Salisburia  adianti- 
foHa,  impregnation  is  effected  by  antherozoids  formed 
within  the  pollen-tube.  The  two  nuclei  resulting-  from 
the  final  division  of  the  generative  nucleus  of  the  pollen- 
tube  are  converted,  before  entering-  the  oosphere,  into 
motile  antherozoids,  resembling-  those  of  the  hig-her  Cryp- 
togams, but  differing-  somewhat  in  form.  ■  They  are  ellip- 
soidal 82  microns  long-  by  49  microns  broad,  and  contain 
in  the  centre  a  nucleus  entirely  surrounded  by  cyptoplasm. 
The  main  body  consists  of  a  head  composed  of  three  spi- 
ral coils,  and  a  slender  tail;  to  the  former  are  attached 
numerous  cilia.  As  soon  as  the  antherozoids  have  escaped 
throug-h  the  apex  of  the  pollen  tube,  they  enter  the  oosphere 
with  a  rapid  twisting  motion.  Attraction  spheres  were 
observed  accompanying- the  final  division  of  the  pollen-tube 
nucleus.  Professor  Ikeno  has  made  a  similar  observation 
respecting  the  mode  of  impregnation  in  another  Gymno- 
sperm,  Cycas  revoluta.  The  antherozoids  are  here  some* 
what  larger  than  in  Ginkgo;  the  main  body  is  composed 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18971  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  201 

of  four  coils,  to  which  are  attached  a  larg-e  number  of  cilia; 
but  the  swarming^  motion  was  not  actually  detached.  The 
nucleus  is  surrounded  by  cyptoplasm.  They  are  found 
in  pairs  in  the  extremity  of  the  pollen-tube,  and  result 
from  the  bi-partition  of  the  genative  nucleus.  Professor 
Ikeno  states  that  the  structure  of  the  male  and  female 
organs  in  Ginkgo  biloba  and  Cyeas  revoluta  at  the  time  of 
impregnation  differs  from  that  observed  in^  any  other 
Gymnosperm  in  this  respect;  that  while,  in  the  latter,  the 
pollen-tube  penetrates  deeply  into  the  archegone,  in  the 
two  species  under  discusion  it  never  reaches  the  arche- 
gone  itself,  but  remains,  at  the  time  of  impregnation,  at 
some  considerable  distance  from  it.  It  would  therefore 
be  impossible  for  the  pollen-tube-nuclei  to  impregnate  the 
oosphere  without  being  previously  transformed  into  motile 
antherozoids.  Fertilization  is  then  rendered  possible  by 
the  copious  excretion  of  a  watery  fluid  by  the  archegone 
at  the  time  of  impregnation.  Further  details  of  this  most 
interesting  discovery  are  promised. 

The  Wild  Nettle  is  known  to  contain  a  remarkable 
number  of  useful  qualities.  The  leaf  is  edible,  and  the 
liquid  to  be  obtained  from  the  stalk  makes  an  excellent 
beverage.  The  fibre  of  the  stalk  may,  under  treatment, 
produce  an  excellent  silk.  For  ages  the  plant  has  been 
used  for  this  purpose  in  China,  where  it  grows  to  a  height 
of  seven  or  eight  feet.  Only  recently,  however,  has  the 
machinery  necessary  to  make  the  manufacture  of  this  silk 
a  profitable  industry  been  produced.  A  machine  called 
the  decorticator  has  been  invented,  by  means  of  which  the 
fibre  is  stripped  off  in  enormous  quantities  at  a  terific 
speed.  Ramie  is  the  eastern  name  of  the  plant. — The 
Counsellor. 

The  Foot  of  the  House  Fly. —  I  have  succeeded  in 
mounting  a  specimen  of  the  fly*s  foot  with  the  pulvilli  and 
tennent  hairs  stained,  and  showing,  adhering  to  the  ends 
of  the  hairs,  the  viscid  globules  by  means  of  which  the 
insect  is  enabled  to  attach  itself  to  smooth  surfaces.  I 
have  a  fly's  foot  so  mounted  and  stained  with  fuchsin, 


Digitized  by 


Google 


202  THE  AMEEICAN  MONTHLY  [Jane 

which  may  be  fairly  well  shown  under  a  good  dry  lens. 
The  details,  however,  are  seen  better  with  an  oil  immer- 
sion. Some  of  the  hairs  on  this  slide  show  the  sickle  fila- 
mentsdeeply  stained  and  devoidof  any  adhering- substance; 
others  have  a  small  quantity  of  the  gummy  fluid  held  with- 
in the  hollow  of  the  sickle,  while  the  majority  of  the  hairs 
are  tipped  with  large  globules  that  could  easily  be  mis- 
taken for  permanent  knobs  or  suckers. 

The  specimen  also  distinctly  shows  that  the  shafts  of 
the  hairs  fringing  the  pul villus  do  not  spring  separately 
from  it,  but  each  root  or  stem  forks  off  near  the  base, 
forming  two  hairs. 

I  had  hoped  that  staining  would  have  rendered  visible 
the  orifice  from  which  the  adhering  substance  exudes,  as 
the  opening  should  be  large,  considering  the  size  of  the 
attached  globules,  but  no  such  orifice  has  been  detected. 
Judging,  however,  from  the  way  the  viscid  substance 
seems  in  most  cases  to  be  held  within  the  hollow  of  the 
sickle,  it  appears  possible  that  a  slit  may  exist  along  the 
filament  capable  of  expanding  and  allowing  the  substance 
to  exude  freely. 

The  foot  in  question  has  been  subjected  to  no  cleaning 
process.  Any  attempt  at  such  would  inevitably  clear 
away  the  globules  adhering  to  the  hairs,  as  is  the  case  in 
ordinary  preparations. — Eliot  Merlin. 

Preservation  of  Flowers. — The  following  is  a  very  old 
method  of  keeping  flowers  without  loss  of  color:  Dry  some 
very  fine,  pure  siliceous  sand  in  the  sun  or  oven;  then 
take  a  wooden,  tin-plate,  or  pasteboard  box  sufficiently 
large  and  deep,  and  place  your  flowers  inside  erect ;  then 
fill  the  box  with  sand  until  the  last  is  about  an  inch  above 
the  top  of  the  flowers.  The  sand  must  be  run  in  gently 
so  as  not  to  break  the  flowers.  Cover  the  box  with  paper 
or  perforated  card  board  and  place  it  in  the  sun-light,  oven 
or  stove ;  continuous  heat  gives  the  best  results.  After 
two  or  three  days  the  flowers  will  be  very  dry,  but  they 
will  have  lost  none  of  their  natural  brilliancy. — Journal  of 
Horticulture. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  203 

DIATOMS. 


Reproduction  of  Marine  Diatoms. —  Mr.  G.  Murray 
records  some  remarkable  observations  on  the  mode  of 
propag-ation  of  certain  pelag-ic  diatoms  collected  off  the 
coast  of  Scotland,  chiefly  belong-ing  to  the  genera  Buddul- 
phia,  Coscinodiscus,  and  Chaetoceros.  In  Biddulpdia 
mobiliensis,  "cysts"  were  observed  within  the  parent 
cell,  with  only  slightly  silicified  membrane,  and  destitute 
of  the  characteristic  spines.  These  cysts  appear  to  have 
the  power  of  dividing-  and  multiplying  before  assuming 
the  characteristic  parent  form.  A  similar  phenomenon 
was  observed  in  Coscinodiscus  concinnus,  but  in  this 
species  the  protoplasm  divides  before  the  production  of 
the  *'cysts,''  two  of  which  were  found  within  the  same 
parent  frustrule,  differing  from  one  another  in  form  and 
in  the  width  of  the  girdle-zone.  It  is  not  uncommon  to 
find  the  young  colonies  of  Coscinodiscus  in  "packets"  of 
eight  or  sixteen  ;  this  being  apparently  the  result  of  fur- 
ther binary  division  within  the  frustules,  which  are  found 
accompanying  them  in  an  empty  state.  The  membranes 
of  these  young  colonies  are  only  very  slightly  silicified  or 
not  at  all ;  and  they  are,  therefore,  capable  of  increasing 
in  size.  A  similar  formation  of  "packets"  of  eight  or  six- 
teen young  individuals  within  the  parent  frustule  was 
observed  in  several  species  of  Chaetoceros. —  Proc.  Royal 
Society  of  Edinburgh. 


NEW  PUBLICATIONS. 


A  Text  Book  of  Histology.  By  Arthur  Clarkson,  Pp. 
554,  and  174  original  colored  illustrations.  Bristol:  J. 
Wright  &  Co.     Price  21s.  net. 

In  it  will  be  found  a  full  account  of  the  latest,  well-authen- 
ticated discoveries  in  the  microscopic  anatomy  of  the 
human  body,  and  a  very  complete  description  of  the  pre- 
liminary processes  necessary  for  making  either  temporary 
or  permanent  microscopical  preparations  of  the  various 
tissues.    The  colored  illustrations  form  a  prominent  fea- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


204  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [June 

ture  of  the  book,  and  although  perhaps  in  a  few  cases 
somewhat  diagramatic,  it  must  be  conceded  that  for  the 
most  part  they  show  extremely  well  the  principal  features 
visible  in  successfully  stained  histological  specimens. 

Browning's  Paracelsus  and  other  Essays. — By  J.  D. 
Buck.  Robert  Clarke  Co.,  Cincinnati.  12mo.,  pp.  101,  1897. 

This  little  pocket  volume  containing  four  short  essays 
is  suitable  to  take  along  these  summer  Sundays  when 
going  into  the  woods  or  fields  alone  hoping  to  feel  the 
touch  of  Nature.  To  read  of  Paracelsus,  of  Genius,  of  the 
Music  of  the  Spheres,  or  of  Idols  and  Ideals  while  lying  on 
the  grass  amid  the  fragrance  of  flowers  or  the  hum  of 
insects  will  help  to  a  glympse  of  what  most  men  and 
women  never  see  and  do  not  know  to  exist — something 
non-material  within,  about  and  around  the  material  form. 

I  well  remember  my  first  experience  of  the  "Music  of 
the  Spheres"  in  Switzerland  in  1895.  Only  he  who  has 
heard  it,  however,  will  treat  this  essay  as  other  than 
imaginative.  He  who  wishes  with  sufficient  earnestness 
to  sense  it  can  perhaps  get  assistance  from  this  book. 

The  azure-blue  cover  and  the  gilt  top  make  Dr.  Buck's 
book  a  neat  little  present.  The  price  is  probably  not  over 
fifty  cents. 

Microscopic  Researches  on  the  Formative  Property  of 
Glycogen.  Part  I.,  Physiological.  By  Charles  Creighton, 
M.  D.  Royal  8vo,  pp.  viii.-  -152.  (London:  Adam  and 
Charles  Black.     1896.)     Price  7-6  net. 

Glycogen  is  that  substance  in  the  animal  body  which 
corresponds  very  closely  with  the  starch  of  plants  and  its 
appearance  in  the  cells  of  different  tissues  during  devel- 
opment. The  book  is  illustrated  by  five  well-executed 
colored  plates.  Chapter  I  is  an  Historical  Introduction  ; 
II  treats  of  Methods  and  Material — viz..  Microscopic 
Method,  method  of  using  iodine,  preservation  of  sections, 
color  of  the  iodide  of  animal  starch,  and  reaction  with 
methyl  violet.  The  remaining  eleven  chapters  treat  of 
glycogen  as  found  in  various  parts  of  the  ^i^nal  bo<^y. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


CARL  REICHERT 
MICROSCOPES. 

K  AaENTS  FOB  UNITED  STATES. 

RICHARDS  &  CO.,  LTD., 

NEW  YOEK,  OHIOAGO, 

41  Barclay  Street.      108  Lake  Street. 


Ncroscopic  Preparations  Dlnstratii  tlie  linnte  Stmctiini 
of  VeptaUe  Life. 

Being  enclosed  in  a  novel  transparent  envelope,  these  objects  may 
be  examined  without  removal  before  mounting.  They  are  prepared 
with  the  utmost  care  by  WAI.TER  White,  England,  and  are  mostly 
stained  in  one  or  two  colors  of  the  most  permanent  character. 

A  friend  says :  The  sample  section  is  exquisite.  It  is  so  good 
that  I  want  more.  As  a  well -cut  and  well-stained  section  it  is 
equal  to  anything  I  have  seen  in  that  line. 

PRICEIS. 

Catalogue  of  172  objects,  -  -  -  fo.02 

Single  specimens,      -  -  -  .  -  .©g 

20  specimens,  assorted,  -  -  -  i.oo 

CHAS.  W.  SMIIiET,  Washingrton,  I>.  €. 


SWEDENBORG 

is  not  only  a  theologian  ;  he  is  a  scientist  and  a  scientific  writer, 
whose  keenly  philosophical  analysis  of  phenomena  is  helpful  to 
every  scientific  student.    Send  for  catalog^ues  or  answers  to  questions, 
Address 

ADOLPH  ROEDER, 

Vineland,  N.  J, 

• — — — ^ . 

FOR  SALE.— A  set  of  slides  illnstrating  the  Woody  Plante  of  IlHnois, 
95  Genera.  H.  F.  MUNKOE,  821  Jackson  Boulevaid,  Chicago,  III. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Special 
Announcement 


-IN- 


MICROSCOPY. 


9" 


from  life,  iDftke  plain  all  details. 


^UBIKG  the  lail  fev  I 
I  have  been  bu^  pcapaitog 
niaoy  rare  and  iMvrel  ol|f«e«i 
for  Microtoopical  purpoaet,  and 
liaTe  arranged  them  af  ondar  In 
lUvstimted  Seiriea. 

Ttie  flrit  of  thMe  !■  the  Ml- 
crosooplcal  Btndlea  In  Ma- 
rine Zoology. 

The  leooiKl  Series  (via.:  that 
for  1895)  oonaleti  of  14  ^eodid 
preparatloiM,  all  of  the  highett 
ponible  excellence  and  (piacaBteed 
permanent.  The  14  sUdei  appear 
in  qnarterly  InstaHments,  aad  axe 
accompanied  br  oTer  100  pagM 
of  dosori|>ttTO  letterpreas, 
dealing  in  pleaoant  but  exact  man- 
ner with  the  anatomy,  llfe-hietocy 
and  habits  of  the  reapectlTe  eob- 
Jectt,  while  19  foll-nago  plntoa 
of  photo-ongimviiigs*  ormwa 


IndoaiTe  Saba<sriptioD,  •6.95,  post-free.    Fall  prospectus  on  appUcatkMi. 
The  following  are  among  the  Slides  iucladed  in  this  Series : 


sSsrlMlaria     60c 


1.  Golony  of  the  loTely  Badlolarian  Bphmro- 

•toum^  showing  parasitic  algtt.  40c 

2.  The  loTely  Zoophyte  Obelia^  polyps  folly 

expanded.  36c 

3.  Stalked  stage    of    the  larra    of    Bosy 

Feather  Star  (anUdon)  40c 

4.  An  entire  Bea-BuUerfly  (PCeropod).  40c 

5.  LoTely  expanded  Zoophyte  Syneorffne.      40e 

The  prices  against  each  are  those  at  which  the  preparations  are  sold  separately,  show- 
ing  what  a  cheap  lut  I  offer  in  series  at  $6.25,  post  ftee.  A  few  sets  of  Series  I  still  availabU, 
|e.25,  post  free.    Sample  Slide,  50c.,  post  free. 

Prof.  J.  B.  AinMWurth  Davis,  Unirersity  College,  Aberystwith,  writes:  ** Allow  me  to 
congratulate  you  on  the  Tery  useful  work  yoo  are  doing  by  the  publication  of  Journal,  with 
accompanying  slides,  which  are  Most  admikablx. 


.  LoTely  Expanded  Zoophyte  i 
Opossum-shrimp  Jfysii,  sllowing  andl* 

tory  organ  in  tail  S8e 

The  splendid  rare  organ-pipe  Polysoon, 

Lickenopora  40e 

Entire  larral  Plake,  eye  Just  taming 

from  blind  side  and  6  other  equally 

fine  slides.  60e 


Botany. 


Superb  microeoopical  preparations  of  Braxlllan  Tiinnna. — ^I  have 
been  unfortunate  in  obtaining  a  ooantity  of  these  superb  sterna— the 
most  loToIy  in  the  whole  pluit  kingdom— and  hare  arranged  them 


in  two  sets  of6  each,  at  the' price  of  $1.36  per  set,  or  fS.25  for  the 
two.  The  most  exquisitely  charming  slides  that  could  possibly  be 
imagined  for  exhibition  at  popular  gatherings.    As  the  4uantt^  is 

— very  limited.  I  am  unable  to  sell  single  slides. 

MlcroBOoplcal  Studlei  In  Botany.— In  answer  to  many  reqaests,  I  have  ar- 
ranged 20  magnificent  preparations  in  a  series  on  similar  lines  to  that  in  marine  loology  de> 
scribed  above. 

The  first  series  is  now  begun  and  comprises  20  highsst-class  slides  (such  as  sell  singly 
at  25c  to  3/k;  each),  illustrated  by  descriptive  letterpress  and  20  specially  beautiful  photo-micro- 
graphs of  the  sections. 

Subscriptions,  $6.25  only,  for  all,  a  sum  which  would  be  cheap  for  the  series  of  illns- 
trations  alone. 

Pn.f.  J.  W.  Oarr,  University  College,  Nottingham,  writes :  "Your  Botanical  SUdes 
are  the  most  beautiful  I  have  ever  seen.    The  following  are  among  the  slides  already  lasued  ia 

35c 
9Qc 
Sfic 

260 

I  guarantee  the  perfection  of  all  my  mounts  and  will  be  pleased  to  tend 
selections  on  approval  lo  approved  correspondents. 

A  great  range  of  Miscellaneous  Zoological  and  Botanical  slides  in  stock 
at  prices  from  $130  per  dozen. 

Cost  of  Mailing,  i  slide,  10  cents  ;  2  slides,  15  cents  ;  3  slides,  20  cents  and 
so  on      Laree  parcels  by  express  at  very  cheap  rates. 

Speciality.  Marine  Zoology  (especially  in  expanded  Zoophytes  and  larval 
stages,  and  plant  and  flower  anatomy. 

Terms.  Remittance  by  P.  O.  O.,  draft  on  I<ondon,  or  U.  9.  paper  currency,  the 
former  preferred,  if  wished.  Mr.  C.  W.  Smiley,  Washington.  D.  ".  will  hold  the 
amount  till  order  is  satisfactorily  executed.  Mr.  Smiley  has  Idndiy  promised  to 
vouch  for  the  excellency  of  the  slides  and  will  give  references  to  U.  S.  MicroAcop* 
ists  who  have  been  well  satisfied  with  my  preparations. 

JAMES  HORNELU 


above  llni-s : 

I.  Tr.  sec.  flower-bud  of  Lily 
.2.     ♦♦    ••             do       of  Dandelion 

3  Long*!  sec.    do       of       do 

4  do           fruit    of  Fig 

25c 
30c 
25c 
30c 

6. 
6 
7. 
8. 

Tr.  sec.  fruit  of  Date  (splendid) 
**     -*    flower  or  EaehtckoUxia 
LongU.  sec.  double  flower  of  Peony 
Leaf-fftll  of  Sycamore 

Biological  Station,  Jersey,  England, 


Specialist  to  Miorosoopioal  M oantiac. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


r 

I 

( 
\ 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


> 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


COLLECTING    APPARATUS. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


OCT     ]o 


190! 


THE    AMERICAN 

MONTHLY 

MICROSCOPICAL     JOURNAL. 


Vol.  XVIII.  AUGUST,     1897.  No.  8 

Some  Collecting  Apparatus. 

Bv  Dr.   E.  v.  DADAY, 

Bl'DAPEST,    HrX(;ARY. 
WITH  FRONTISPIECK. 

If  we  take  some  water  in  a  clean  glass  vesHel  from  the 
body  of  a  lake  and  examine  it  attentively,  holding  it 
towards  the  light,  we  shall  find  in  most  eases  that  there 
are  iu  the  water,  although  apparently  quite  clear,  small 
bodies  aud  living  beings  of  molecular  minuteness  swim- 
ming about,  each  in  its  own  way.  There  was  a  time,  not 
very  remote,  when  students  of  the  microscopic  world 
contented  themselves  with  examining  each  drop  of  the 
water  drawn  from  a  lake,  with  a  ma<^nifying  glass  in 
order  to  find  the  small  animals  in  it.  By  such  a  proceed- 
ing we  are  in  most  cases  left  to  chance.  It  is  intu'e  luck 
if  we  find  something  in  the  water.  The  naturalist  desir- 
ous of  .getting  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  micro- 
scopic fauna  of  a  lake  cannot  sto[»  at  this  point,  but  ought 
to  recur  to  such  expedients  as  will  assure  him  of  the 
absolute  perfectness  and  success  of  his  researches.  He 
must  provide  himself  with  suitable  implements  and  they 
are  numerous.  He  must  at  the  sanu^  time  provide  him- 
self with  tlie  means  of  constMvation.  For  collecting 
specimens  of  water- fauna,  we  make  use  of  a  ni^t.  Cou- 
sideriuj^  the  extreme  minuteness  of  those  beings  we  have 


Digitized  by 


Google 


238  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Aug. 

to  deal  with,  all  these  nets  must  consist  of  the  finest  silk- 
cloth,  called  miller-gauze,  but  they  must  be  of  different 
fineness,  according  to  whether  they  are  used  for  collec- 
ting on  shore,  in  open  space,  at  deeper  levels  or  on  the 
bottom  of  a  lake. 

The  best  and  handiest  implement  for  collecting  from 
the  shore  is  the  rod-net,  which  we  may  easily  construct 


ourselves  by  taking  a  brass,  or  still  better  an  iron,  ring 
and  sewing  on  a  bag  of  the  above  mentioned  gauze. 
Then  look  for  a  stick  of  fitting  length,  cut  it  at  its  end 
and  fasten  the  ring  by  tying  it  with  a  string.  But  there 
are  several  other  rod-nets,  which  are  not  only  practical 
regarding  their  form,  but  also  easily  managed. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  239 

A  rod  net  commonly  used,  is  represented  by  fig.  1,  A, 
and  consists  of  two  different  parts,  viz.,  the  net  (a)  and 
the  rod  or  handle  (b). 

The  net  hangs  from  a  brass  or  iron  circle,  provided 
with  a  small  copper -tube,  perforated  on  two  opposite 
sides. 

The  rod  or  handle  consists  of  three  copper  barrels, 
which  slide  one  into  the  other,  each  of  which  is  1  to  li 
metres  in  length.  The  upper  barrel  has  on  its  end  a 
cover,  from  the  centre  of  which  a  perforated  clasp  pro- 
jects, which  fits  exactly  in  the  copper-tube  of  the  net 
ring.  Being  able  to  lengthen  and  shorten  this  rod  as 
one  pleases,  we  are  relieved  from  the  need  of  carrying 
with  us  a  pole  or  several  shorter  sticks.  The  clasp  on 
the  end  of  the  thinner  rod  and  the  tenon  of  the  ring 
enable  us  to  fix  the  net  easily,  while  a  pin  put  through 
the  two  holes  prevents  its  slipping  from  the  rod. 

Collecting  with  this  apparatus  is  very  simple.  We 
fasten  the  net  to  the  rod  by  aid  of  the  tenon  and  then 
we  pull  out  the  sticks  and  begin  to  draw  water  as  if  we 
were  using  a  spoon.  The  water  by  this  means  is  strained. 
The  greater  proportion  of  the  animals,  and,  if  our  net  is 
sufficiently  fine,  even  the  smallest  organisms  are  retained. 

To  bring  home  the  gathered  material. —  For  this  pur- 
pose a  collecting  bowl  or  basin  of  china,  fig.  1,  C,  or 
some  other  material,  and  having  a  larcje  gullet,  may  be 
used.  Having  filled  this  bowl  with  water  before  begin- 
ning the  operation  the  contents  of  the  net  are  washed 
out  at  intervals.  At  the  close  of  collecting,  strain  the 
whole  contents  of  the  bowl  through  the  net  and  substitute 
the  water  in  the  bowl  with  alcohol  or  any  other  preser- 
vative liquid. 

The  material  thus  prepared  is  finally  poured  into  a 
glass  tube  (fig.  1,  B)  to  be  closed  by  a  cork.  On  a  small 
label  note  with  a  pencil  the  place  of  collecting,  the  so- 
called  habitat :  the  time  of  collecting,   the  month,   day, 


Digitized  by 


Google 


240  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Aug. 

and  eventually  the  hour.  Then  ])ut  the  label  to  the 
material  in  the  tube.  It  is  necessary  to  lay  stress  on 
this  in  order  to  avoid  confusing  materials  found  in  differ- 
ent places;  we  may  easily  expose  ourselves  to  error  if 
collecting  from  different  localities  or  from  different  parts 
of  a  lake. 

Another  kind  of  rod-net,  not  less  commonly  used  is 
represented  in  fig.   2.     It  differs  from  the  other  chiefly 
by    the   funnel-like    form   of  its  net 
which  is  not  closed  but  open,  so  that 
a  wide  and  thick-sided  cylindrical  or 
other  ghiss  may   be  tied   to  it  with  a 
thick  string  (a).      According  to  this, 
its  rod  must  be  much  stronger  than 
•     that  of  the  former,  because  the  water 
contained    in    the    glass    vessel  is  of 
considerable  weight  and  therefore  we 
employ   instead  of  the  pretty  elastic 
copper-barrels,  thick  bamboo  sticks  or 
pine-poles,  to  which   the  net  may  be 
fastened  in  the  same  way  as  formerly 
described  (b).     The  use  of  this  contri- 
vance is  nearly  identical  with  the  tor- 
mer,  the  only  difference  consisting  in 
that   we   are    not  obliged    to  fill   f^e 
bowl  with   water.     The  glass  untied 
.        from   the   net,    encloses    already    ^^^^ 
re(juir(»d  quantity.      But  the  frequent 
tying  and  untying   of  tiie   glass   renders  the   whole  pro" 
ceeding  a  little  dull  and  tiresome  in  comparison  with  the 
other  without  glas.s-bottoni. 

If  we  want  to  collect  in  thr  opt^n  lake,  a  boat  or  any 
other  water-vehicle  being  at  our  disposal  and  intending 
only  to  examine  the  ujjper  l.iytMs  of  the  WMter,  we  niig^^^ 
use  rod-nets;  but  if  we  have  in  view  to  collect  fr^"™ 
deeper  layers  we  are  obliged  to   use  so-called  drag  ^^^^' 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  241 

The  simplest  drag-net  is  a  bag  of  silk-tissue  fastened 
to  a  brass  or  iron  ring.  The  brim  is  provided  with  three 
ringlets  at  an  equal  distance,  in  order  to  attach  the  line 
to  it  (fig.  3.)  If  we  are  on  the  open  lake,  our  net  may  be 
lowered  unto  the  required  depth  and  at  the  same  time 
towed  by  the  advancing  boat.  During  this  operation  the 
water  filling  the  net  is  strained,  while  the  organisms  in 
it  are  retained  by  the  fine  tissue  and  may  be  secured  in 
the  way  formerly  described.  With  this  contrivance  we 
are  enabled,  provided  our  line  is  sufficiently  long,  to  reach 
the  bottom  of  the  lake  and  may  even  bring  up  mud  from 
the  bottom.  If  we  have  no  boat  at  our  disposal  and  still 
want  to  collect  from  parts  which  are  a  little  distant  from 
the  shore,  then  we  put  some  stones,  or  other  heavy 
object  into  the  bottom  of  the  net,  throw  the  latter  into 
the  water  and  endeavour  to  get  the  desired  material  by 
slowly  pulling  the  net  to  the  shore. 

Another  kind  of  drag-net  is  due  to  the  Bohemian  Bio- 
logical Institution.  It  reminds  us  in  its  general  out-line 
of  the  former,  but  is  still  different  in  many  respects. 
Like  the  former  it  possesses  a  brass  or  iron-ring  with  ring- 
lets for  tying  on  the  line,  but  its  bottom  is  open.  Here 
a  glass-vessel  is  to  be  fastened  as  mentioned  in  descrip- 
tion of  the  rod-net.  This  net,  judging  from  its  shape, 
consists  of  two  parts,  viz.,  a  larger  cylindrical  one  and  a 
smaller  funnel-like  one,  separated  by  a  hoop  of  reed, 
sewn  in.  In  the  middle  of  the  cylindrical  part  is  also 
a  hoop  of  reed.  (fig.  4.)  These  hoops  lessen  the  specific 
weight  of  the  apparatus.  The  Bohemian  searchers  em- 
ploy still  another,  funnel-like,  open  net  provided  with  a 
reed-hoop,  which  is  put  in  the  space  of  the  larger  net 
and  is  apt  to  prevent  material  already  in  the  large  net 
from  being  washed  away  by  the  water  flowing  back.  This 
precaution  is  superfluous,  though,  if  in  dragging  the  net 
necessary  care  is  taken  and  the  required  time  is  given  to 
strain    the   water.      This   implement  is   applicable  only 


Digitized  by 


Google 


242  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Aug. 

when  we  can  transport  ourselves  to  the  open  space  of  the 
lake  and  on  account  of  the  reed-hoops  it  may  only 
be  used  for  working  at  the  surface  of  the  water.  The 
material  collected  is  subject  to  the  same  treatment,  the 
bottom  glass  being  applied,  removed  and  emptied — as  in 
the  case  of  rod-net  described  in  the  second  figure.  Its 
use  is  therefore  not  so  advantageous  and  multifarious,  as 
that  of  the  simple  bag-like  drag  net. 

In  its  principles  of  construction  the  net  used  at  the 
Biological  Station  of  Plon,  called  the  plancton  net  is  the 
same,  but  there  is  not  at  its  bottom  any  closed  vessel. 
It  is  provided  with  a  tap,  so  that  its  contents  may  be 
emptied  into  the  bowl  by  turning  the  tap. 

For  collecting  organisms  living  at  the  bottom  of  lakes 
and  bringing  up  mud,    I    devised  a  bottom-net  of  which 

1  give  a  design  in  fig.  5.  The  outer  cylinder  (a)  is  made 
of  pretty  narrow  brass  wire  tissue.  The  bottom  is  either 
convex  or  flat.     The  brim  is  formed  by  a  brass  hoop  of 

2  cm.  breadth,  provided  with  rings  for  fastening  the  line. 
Besides  there  are  three  movable  clasps  on  it. 

The  middle  cylinder  (b)  is  a  bag  of  very  narrow  silk- 
cloth,  sewn  to  a  strong  brass-hoop  about  2  cm.  in  breadth. 
The  bottom  is  of  bag-like  shape.  There  are  three  ten- 
dons standing  out  from  the  hoop,  to  prevent  the  net  from 
sinking  to  the  bottom  or  from  sticking  to  the  outer  wire 
cylinder. 

The  inner  cylinder  (c)  is  made  of  wide  meshed  brass 
wire  cloth.  The  bottom  is  closed  like  a  bag.  The  brim 
is  covered  by  a  flat  brass  circle  2.5  cm.  broad,  and  its 
outer  circumference  is  a  little  larger  than  the  inner  one 
of  the  outer  cylinder.  There  are  three  little  screws 
placed  at  an  equal  distance  one  from  the  other,  provided 
with  eyes  ;  when  using  the  net,  the  clasps  are  hooked  in 
the  screws  and  the  eyes  then  screwed  down.  The  sepa- 
rating and  uniting  of  the  three  nets  is  thus  rendered 
possible. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  243 

Elach  cylinder  of  this  apparatus  has  another  function. 
The  outer  wire  cylinder  is  a  protecting  case,  preventing 
any  damage  to  the  net  and  ought  therefore  to  consist  of 
pretty  fine  cloth  so  as  to  resist  branches  of  trees,  and 
things  covering  the  bottom  of  lakes.  The  middle  cylin- 
der of  gauze  is  the  real  collecting  net,  which  retains 
organisms  or  slime  after  staining  the  water.  The  inner 
cylinder  is  intended  for  keeping  off  larger  objects  which 
would  be  liable  to  injure  the  fine  silk  gauze.  It  affords 
only  protection  to  the  inside  and  consists  therefore  of 
pretty  wide  meshes,  giving  easy  access  to  water  and 
organisms. 

When  working  with  it,  we  unite  the  different  cylin- 
ders. After  this  the  apparatus  is  lowered  into  the  lake 
by  the  pulling  line  fastened  to  the  rings.  Then  slowly 
advancing  the  boat,  we  tow  it  a  certain  time,  until  it 
naturally  fills  with  organisms  and  slime.  Having  drawn 
out  the  apparatus,  we  separate  the  cylinders,  by  loosen- 
ing the  screws  and  take  out  the  gauze  cylinder  with  the 
matter  contained  in  it.  The  conservation  is  then  carried 
oat  in  the  same  way  as  formerly  described,  but  if  there 
be  too  much  mud  in  the  net,  its  greater  part  is  removed 
by  dipping  the  net  several  times  into  the  water. 

For  investigating  certain  fauna  I  have  devised  another 
dredge,  shown  in  fig.  6.,  consisting  of  two  parts,  the 
shutting  cover  and  the  net  proper. 

The  shutting  apparatus  (a)  is  formed  by  a  brass  frame 
standing  somewhat  obliquely,  with  a  wide  semicircular 
mouth.  It  is  closed  by  a  trap  door  also  of  brass,  which 
may  be  raised  or  lowered.  There  is  a  small  ring  in  the 
middle  of  this  trap  door  near  its  horizontal  edge,  to 
which  a  line  is  tied.  On  both  sides  of  this  suspension 
ring  there  are  two  brass  sticks  with  knobs  on  their  ends; 
these  are  fastened  to  the  frame  but  are  movable,  so  that 
they  are  raised  when  the  trap  is  opened  and  lowered 
when  the  trap  is  closed,  sliding  in  the  holes  which  are 


^  Digitized  by 


Google 


244  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Aug. 

provided  for  th^m  in  the  trap  door.  The  under  horizoD- 
tal  e<l^e  of  the  f'rjiine  is  providtnl  witli  a  scraping  blade 
standing  out  and  directed  a  little  downward.  This  facil- 
itates the  J)^»n(»tration  of  the  luud  tlirough  the  mouth  of 
the  frame  into  tlie  net.  ()i)j)Osite  to  this  and  inside  the 
net  tliere  is  aiiotlier  brass  plate  called  the  weight  plate 
on  which  wei;:;hts  are  placed  to  increase  the  specific 
weight  of  the  a])paratus.  These  weights  are  required 
for  maintaining  the  apparatus,  when  let  down,  in  a  verti- 


cal position  and  tlius  tliey  prevent  the  frame  from  lying 
down  by  its  own  wei<::ht.  There  is  a  strong  ring  on  the 
semicircular  part  of  the  frame,  to  which  the  pulling-Hne 
for  lifting  and  lowering  the  apparatus  is  fastened. 
Beside  this  there  is  a  border  of  fine  wire  tissue  round  the 
frame  to  which  the  gauze  is  fixed. 

The  net  (b)  is  conical;  and  consists  of  fine  gauze.  It  is 
fastened  to  the  border  of  wire  tissue  surrounding  the 
backside  of  the  frame. 

The  ai)paratus  is  carefully  let  down  by  the  aid  of  the 
rope.     At  the  same  time  the  rope  which  is  fastened  to  the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  245 

trap-door  is  also  let  down.  The  trap  remains  closed  until 
the  bottom  is  reached.  When  the  apparatus  has  reached 
the  required  depth,  then  we  pull  the  rope  of  the  trap-door 
and  thus  open  it ;  the  tightness  of  the  rope  which  before 
was  loose  will  inform  us  of  the  success.  Then  we  must 
give  our  boat  a  slow  impulse  and  drag  the  net  along  as 
fig.  7  shows.  The  water  with  all  its  organisms  and  the 
mud  tilled  up  by  the  scraper,  will  then  fill  the  dredge. 
Before  drawing  out  the  net,  we  let  loose  the  rope  of  the 
trap  door,  thus  closing  it;  no  other  material  can  there- 
after penetrate  into  the  net.  The  exact  closing  of  the 
trap  is  furthered  by  the  two  brass-sticks.  According  to 
their  length  they  allow  the  opening  of  the  trap  only  to  a 
certain  height,  viz.,  to  about  20-25^  to  the  upper  board 
of  the  frame  not  in  a  vertical  position,.  Thus  the  closing 
of  the  trap-door  is  not  only  due  to  its  own  weight,  but 
also  to  the  pressure  of  the  water.  After  drawing  up  the 
net,  the  trap  door  is  opened,  the  net  turned  inside  out 
and  the  material  washed  into  the  bowl.  According  to 
the  directions  already  given,  it  is  then  put  into  the  con- 
serving liquid  and  finally  into  the  cylindrical  glass. 

The  attention  of  naturalists  is  called  to  a  great  advan- 
tage which  this  net  possesses  over  the  drag  and  bottom- 
nets  hitherto  described.  It  enables  him  to  undertake  the 
exact  determination  of  species  living  in  different  levels  of 
water.  With  this  implement,  the  opening  of  its  trap- 
door being  under  control,  we  may  collect  our  material  at 
depths  corresponding  U)  our  desire  and  state  exactly  the 
presence  and  migration  of  such  and  such  species.  We 
may  determine  in  which  masses  or  swarms  they  occur, 
during  the  different  parts  of  the  day  ;  even  the  hour  and 
the  different  depths  in  which  they  wander. 

We  have  also  to  equip  ourselves  with  certain  other 
necessary  things.  It  is  very  convenient  to  use  a  hunter's 
pouch.  In  the  place  of  the  cartridges  we  put  our  glass 
tubes  and  in  the  pouch  itself  the  bowl  and  smaller  nets. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


246  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Aag. 

The  material  gathered  from  diflferent  parts  of  the  lake 
by  means  of  any  of  this  apparatus  ought  to  be  conserved 
each  in  a  different  way.  If  only  the  outward  habitat  of 
the  diflferent  animal  species  forms  the  object  of  our  study, 
then  it  will  usually  be  suflBcient  to  put  the  material  in 
alcohol  of  30-50°.  This  proceeding  leads  to  a  satisfac- 
tory result  only  when  we  have  to  deal  with  animals  of 
greater  resistance,  such  as  rotatoria,  Crustacea,  nematoda 
and  protozoa.  On  the  contrary,  animals  with  a  soft 
body,  as  protozoa  with  a  thin  shell  and  tubellaria  as  well 
as  those  with  a  harder  shell  must,  if  we  want  to  examine 
them  anatomically,  be  treated  with  certain  chemicals 
before  placing  them  into  alcohol.  The  treatment  with 
sublimate  gives  in  every  respect  good  results.  We  pour 
a  solution  of  sublimate  over  the  material  filtered  out  and 
into  the  water  containing  the  material.  By  this  means 
the  animals  are  killed  suddenly,  but  their  texture  is  con- 
served to  a  certain  degree.  This  being  done,  we  filter 
the  sublimate  or  water  containing  the  sublimate  and  sub- 
stitute alcohol  first  of  30^  then  of  50°  and  finally  of  70°. 


Bacteriology  of  Influenza. 

By  J.  D.  WHITLEY,  M.  D., 

PBTERSBUBG,    ILL. 

A  number  of  Bacteriologists  have  made  careful 
researches  during  the  extensive  epidemic  of  1890,  1891, 
and  1892.  In  1892,  a  bacillus  was  discovered  by  Pfeiffer 
and  by  Canon  of  Berlin,  which  according  ^o  Sternberg, 
there  is  good  reason  to  believe  is  the  specific  cause  of  the 
disease. 

Pfeiflfer  infers  that  this  bacillus  is  the  specific  cause  of 

Influenza  in  man  for  the  following  reasons  :  First.     They 

were   found   in   all    uncomplicated    cases    of    Influenza 

examined,  in  the  characteristic  purulent  bronchial  secre- 

ion,  often  in  absolutely  pure  cultures.     They  were  fre- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18971  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  247 

quently  situated  in  the  protoplasm  of  the  pus  corpuscles. 
In  fatal  case?  they  were  found  to  have  penetrated  from 
the  bronchial  tubes  into  the  peribronchial  tissue  and  even 
to  the  surface  of  the  pleura,  where  in  two  cases  they 
were  found  in  pure  cultures,  in  the  purulent  exudation. 

Second.  They  were  found  only  in  cases  of  Influenza. 
Numerous  control  experiments  proved  their  absence  in 
ordinary  bronchial  catarrh,  etc. 

Third.  The  presence  of  the  bacilli  corresponded  with 
the  course  of  the  disease,  and  they  disappeared  with  the 
cessation  of  the  purulent  bronchial  secretion. 

Durinj^  the  past  winter  I  have  made  a  careful  examin- 
ation of  the  sputum  in  a  number  of  cases  of  moderate 
severity  and  found  a  very  constant  form  of  bacteria 
which  answers  to  the  morphological  description. 

That  the  specific  excitmg  cause  of  Influenza  is  organic 
in  its  true  nature  and  also  that  the  air  constitutes  the 
medium  of  its  dissemination  there  can  no  longer  be  any 
doubt.  There  is  also  good  reason  to  believe  that  an  incu- 
bative stage  covering  a  period  of  two  or  three  days  is 
necessary  for  the  development  of  the  disease.  The  micro- 
organisms are  introduced  into  the  upper  air  passages, 
and  here  finding  a  lodgment,  develop  upon  the  epithelial 
cells  where  they  occur  in  pure  cultures  ;  they  are  then 
drawn  into  the  bronchia?  by  inhalation  giving  rise  to  the 
characteristic  sputum,  the  cough  and  expectoration  fol- 
lowing in  many  cases  after  the  patient  has  recovered 
from  the  initial  symi)tc«ms.  In  this  type  of  the  disease 
little  else  is  shown  by  a  microscoi)ical  examination  than 
the  above  mentioned  bacilli.  But  in  the  graver  type  the 
picture  is  quiet  difi*erent  and  the  severity  of  the  attack  is 
evidently  due  to  a  mixed  infection.  Here  we  have  evi- 
dence of  a  local  disturbance  by  the  great  quantities  of 
bronchial  epithelia  which  are  thrown  off"  the  round  cells, 
are  very  abundant,  and  also  columnar  cells,  and  often 
red  blood  corpuscles.  White  pus  cells  are  very  numerous, 


Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


248  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Aug. 

together  with  the  streptococcus  pyogenes  aureus  in  almost 
pure  cultures.  The  pneumococci  are  found  in  large 
groups  in  almost  every  examination  of  this  type ;  and 
last,  but  not  least,  we  find  that  formidable  ally  strepto- 
coccus pyogenes  is  very  abundant.  The  significance  of 
the  last  named  microbe  may  be  inferred  if  we  are  to  believe 
that  special  virulence  is  added  to  other  diseases  by  its 
presence,  notably  in  diphtheria. 

The  bacteria  are  best  prepared  by  the  ^*Ziehl-Neelsen'* 
method  of  staining  a^  for  tubercle  bacilli,  using  the 
Loeffler  methyl  blue  for  back-ground  but  giving  a  more 
than  usual  exposure  to  the  latter  agent. 

The  indications  for  treatment  are  antiseptics,  elimin- 
ants,  anodynes,  and  tonics,  with  rest  in  bed.  I  am  con- 
vinced that  the  disease  may  be  aborted  in  many  cases  if 
seen  early,  by  the  following  prescription  : 

Quinia  sulph grs.  xx. 

Pulvis  doveri 'grs.  xx. 

Pulvis  capsici grs.  iiss. 

Aconite  Tine 5  minims. 

M.  Ft.  Pills  No.  X.  Divide.  Signa.  Take  three  at  once 
on  retiring  at  .night  (after  taking  a  hot  foot  bathj ;  take 
one  every  two  hours  the  next  day. 

In  the  more  advanced  cases  the  treatment  should  begin 
with  a  laxative,  followed  by  salol  in  three  to  five  grain 
doses  every  three  hours,  preferably  in  a  powder  form. 
This  controls  the  fever,  relieves  the  aching,  and  is  a  good 
intestinal  antiseptic.  In  the  troublesome  head  pain  relief 
may  be  obtained  by  spraying  the  nostrils  with  camenthol 
10  per  cent.  Codeine  acts  well  in  suppressing  inordi- 
nate coughs,  and  good  results  have  followed  inhalations 
of  carbolic  acid  with  a  steam  atomizer  where  the  expec- 
toration was  very  profuse.  The  mouth  should  be  rinsed 
frequently  and  the  throat  gargled  with  a  warm  solution 
of  formaldehyde  1  cup  diluted  one  half  with  warm  water, 


Digitized  by 


Google 


i897| 


MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL. 


249 


or  the  alkaline  antiseptic  tablet  of  Dr.  Carl  Seiler,  one 
dissolved  in  a  teacup,  half  full  of  warm  water. —  Medical 
Fortnightly. 


On  Rearing  Dragonflies. 

By  JAMF:S  (J.  NEEDIIAM, 


ITHACA,  N.  Y. 

Field  work  in  Entomology  is  full  of  delightful  oppor- 
tunities, and  none  is  more  inviting,  none  more  sure  to 
yield  discoveries  of  scientific  value,  than  work  upon  the 
life-histories  of  Dragonflies. 

The  nymphs  which  are  aquatic, 
have  an  interesting  distribution  in 
depth.  Those  of  Agrionidae  and 
of  most  Aeschinidae  cling  to  the 
floating  or  submergetl  vegetation. 
These  at  least  every  aquatic  collec- 
tor has  seen.  Those  of  Libelhilidae 
sprawl  upon  the  bottom  amid  fal- 
len trash.  Those  of  (jomphinae 
burrow  shallovvly  along  beneath  the 
film  of  sediment  that  lies  on  the 
bottom,  with  tlu*  end  of  tlie  abdo- 
men turned  up  for  respiration. 

It  is  very  easy  to  collect  tliem.  A  garden  rake  with 
which  to  draw  ashore  the  stuff  to  whicli  tiiey  cling  and  a 
pail  of  water  in  which  to  carry  them  home  is  all  the 
apparatus  desirable  in  si)ring.  Latter  wIumi  a  new 
growtli  of  weeds  is  rooted  fast  to  the  bottom,  the  rake 
will  have  to  l»e  exchanged  for  a  water-net.  Withdrawn 
from  the  water,  the  nymphs  rt*n<ler  t  heniselves  t^'vident  by 
their  active  t^fforts  to  get  hack,an«l  need  only  to.be  picked 
up.  The  number  of  speci(»s  one  will  find  will  geiierally 
depend  on  the  variety  of  acjualic  situations  from  which 
he  collects.     The  places  to  yield    the    best    collecting  are 


Digitized  by 


Google 


250  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Aug. 

small  perm.'inent  pools,  shallbw  inlets  in  the  shores  of 
lakes,  and  the  places  where  the  trash  falls  in  the  eddies 
of  streams. 

They  are  quite  as  easily  reared.  Common  wooden  kits 
and  pails  half  filled  with  water,  with  screen  or  netting 
covers  are  entirely  satisfactory.  A  number  of  nymphs,  if 
near  one  size,  may  safely  be  kept  together  (exceptiag 
only  a  few  notoriously  cannibalistic  Aeschinidas  :  e.  g. 
Anax  Junius),  and  if  not  grown  may  be  fed  upon  such 
small  insects  as  a  net  will  gather  in  any  pond.  A  good 
square  meal  once  a  week  will  keep  them  thriving.  The 
water  should  be  reasonably  clean.  Three  things  should 
be  carefully  observed.  (1)  There  must  be  a  surface  up 
which  they  can  climb  to  transform  :  if  the  sides  of  the 
kit  are  too  smooth  put  in  some  sticks;  (2)  there  must  he 
room  enough  between  the  netting  cover  and  the  water 
for  complete  expansion  of  their  wings:  (3)  they  must 
remain  out  of  doors  where  the  sunshine  will  reach  thera. 
This  last  point  especially  is  essential  to  success.  But 
there  is  still  an  easier  way  to  do  it,  and  one  which,  when 
a  species  is  very  common,  will  prove  entirely  satisfactory. 
The  several  nymphal  stages  (excepting  the  youngest,  not 
likely  to  be  collected)  are  very  much  alike.  I  am  in  the 
habit  of  preserving  the  younger  nymphs  and  putting  into 
my  kits  only  those  well  grown,  as  shown  by  the  length 
of  the  wing-cases,  which  should  reach  the  middle  of  the 
abdomen.  But  if,  when  a  species  is  becoming  common, 
one  v/ill  go  to  the  edge  of  the  water  it  frequents,  at  the 
time  of  its  emergence,  one  may  find  nymphs  crawling 
from  the  water,  others  transforming,  imagoes  drying 
their  wings,  and  others  ready  to  fly,  and  may  thus  obtain 
in  a  few  minutes  the  material  necessary  for  determining 
nymph  and  imago.  The  time  of  emergence  may  he 
determined  by  noticing  at  what  time  pale  young  imagoes 
are  seen  taking  their  first  flight,  and  then  going  out  a 
little   earlier.     The    unfortunate    thing  about  it  is  that 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  251 

many  of  the  larger  species  transform  very  early  in  the 
morning,  and  to  take  such  advantage  of  them  one  must 
be  on  the  ground  Vetween  daybreak  and  sunrise. 

Several  imagoes  should  be  kept  alive  until  they  have 
assumed  their  mature  colors.  It  is  most  important 
that  each  imago  and  its  cast  skin  should  be  kept  together. 

Eggs,  also,  are  easily  obtained.  Every  collector  has 
seen  the  female  of  some  species,  dipping  the  tip  of  her 
abdomed  into  the  surface  of  the  water,  depositing  eggs. 
If  the  ovipositing  female  be  captured,  held  by  the  fore 
wings,  leaving  the  hind  wings  free,  and  ''dipped"  by  hand 
to  the  surface  of  clean  water  in  a  vial  or  a  tumbler,  an 
abundance  of  eggs  will  usually  be  liberated.  Eggs  of 
those  species  which  possess  an  ovipositor  and  which 
place  them  within  the  tissues  of  plants  may  be  obtained 
by  collecting  the  stems  in  which  they  have  been  inserted. 

Eggs  and  nymphs  should  be  dropped  in  boiling  water 
for  a  minute  and  then  preserved  in  alcohol.  Imagoes,  if 
mounted,  should  have  a  wire  or  bristle  inserted  into  the 
body  its  entire  length  to  prevent  otherwise  certain 
breakage,  or  if  placed  unmounted  in  envelopes,  these 
should  be  of  soft  paper,  loosely  packed,  so  that  the  eyes 
will  not  be  crushed. 

Try  to  cover  for  each  species  the  points  of  tlie  follow- 
ing outline  regarding  the  imago  : 

(1)  Name  ;  locality  ;  date  ;  occurrence  ;  etc. 

(2)  Haunts ;    places    frequented  ;    places   avoided ; 
the  reasons,  if  discoverable. 

(3)  Flight  :  its  hours  ;  its  duration;  its  directness  ; 
average  altitude;  places  of  rest ;  altitudes. 

(4)  Food:  its  kind  ;  how   obtained;   where  eaten. 

(5)  Enemies  :    what  they  are  ;  and  how    do    they 
destroy  dragonflies  ? 

(6)  Oviposition  :  does  the  female  oviposit  alone  or 
attended  by  the  male. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


li 


^ 


252  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Aug. 

(7)  The  eggs  :  where  placed  ;  number  iu  a  place  ; 
incubation  period. 

Regarding  the  nymphs,  cov-er  the  points  1,2,  4,  and  5 
of  above,  and  Imagination:  hours;  places;  distance 
from  water  ;  etc. 

It  is  very  difficult  to  determine  all  these  points  for  a 
single  species,  but  the  effort  will  lead  on  into  delightful 
intimacy  with  these  beautiful  insects. 

I  will  furnish  (if  desired)  half  a  dozen  named  nympbs 
of  typical  genera  to  any  one  who  will  undertake  to  collect 
and  rear  others.  I  shall  be  very  willing  to  determine 
nymphs  or  imagoes  for  any  one,  and  to  point  out  for 
description  such  as  are  new.  But  I  especially  desire 
that  accurate  field  observations  and  notes  be  made  on 
many  of  our  species  of  which  we  now  known  only  the 
names,  and  to  such  observers  I  will  give  all  possible 
aid. — Can.  Entoinolo^rist. 


The  Myometrium. — Bertelsmann  writes  regarding  the 
microscopic  relations  of  the  myometrium  in  pathological 
enlargements  of  the  uterus,  with  particular  reference  to 
the  muscle  cells.  He  has  made(Archiv  fur  Gynakologie, 
Band  L ),  a  careful .  microscopic  study  of  twenty-two 
enlarged  uteri  Ulirec  cases  of  mero-endometritis,  four  of 
carcinoma  of  the  cervix,  three  multiple  interstitial,  and 
five  submucous  fibroid  tumors).  He  comes  to  the  follow- 
ing conclusions  :  Hypertrophy  of  the  muscle-cells  of  the 
uterine  wall  is  frequently  associated  with  interstitial 
fibroids.  Hypertrophy  of  the  muscle-cells  always  occurs 
with  submucous  fibroids  and  in  almost  every  instance 
where  the  uterine  cavity  contains  an  abnormal  substance 
(pyometra  and  hematometra).  Hyperplastic  changes, 
also  increase  of  the  connective  tissue  and  muscle-cells, 
were  found  particularly  in  metitis  and  in  carcinoma 
and  interstitial  fibroids.  Taesj  results  correspond  with 
•'l  those  of  Ritschl  and  Herczel,  who  experimented  on  the 

wall  of  the   stomach  and   intestines  by   causing  artificial 
stenosis  and  artificial  irritation, 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897] 


MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL. 


253 


Hosts  oa   which   Infusoria  are   Parasitic  or  Commensal. 

Complied  from  W.  Sevillo  Kent's  Manual  of  the  Infusoria. 

By  THOMAS  CRAIG,  F.  R.  M.  S. 

NEW  BRIGHTON,  N.Y, 

All  marked  *  are  parasitic  IN  their  hosts,  those  not  so  marked  are  ON 

the  host. 

INFUSORIAN 

Pddophrya  carchesi 
Sphssrophrya  sol 
Sphserophrya  stentoria 
Umnla  epistjlidis 
Trichophrya  epistjlidis 
Podophrya  quodripartata 
Zoothamniam  parasita 
Opercularia  cyliudratos 
Prodophrya  cyclopum 
Prodophrya  infandibolifera 
Ryncheta  cyclopum 
Yorticella  globularia 
Epistylis  digitalis 
Lagenopbrys  vaginooola 
Pyxidium  cotharnoides 
Zoothamniam  affine 

**  parasita 

Epistylis  anastatica 
Cotharnia  imbertis 

**        sieboldii 

•*        corva 

**        gracilis 
Trichophiya  digitata 
Spirochona  gemmipera 
Spirochooa  scheatenii 
Epistylis  digitalis 

*^       crassicollis 
Anoplophrya  branchiarus 
Dendrocometes  paradoxus 
Lagenopbrys  ampulla 


HOST 
Carchesium  polypinnm 

'^Paramecium  aurelia 

^Stentor  roeselii 
Epistylus  pUcatilis 


Cyclops  quadrioornis 


Cyclops  gigas 

Cyclops  oorouata 

Cyclops 

Qyclope 

Canthocamptus  minntus 

Entomostraca 


Gammarns  pulex 


Gammarus  marinus 

Asellns  aquations 
Physa  fontinalis 


Spifochon^  gemmiper?^ 
Epistylis  steinil 
^pirochona  scheutenii 
^tylochona  ooronata 
LAgenophrys  ampulla 
^yphidia  physarun^ 


Digitized  by 


Google 


254 


THE  AMEEICAN  MONTHLY 


[^^g. 


MoUoaca 


Palndina  vivipera 

Limnoeos  stagnalis 

fielanos 

Unio  ciaasas 

Planorbus  oomea 

Planorbis 

Paladina 

Paludina 

Helix  hortensis 
♦Mussel 
♦Lambricos  terrestes  (earthwonu) 


Lumbrichos  variegatos 


'^Lambrioas  limosas 
*      **  teonia 

A  marine  iivorm  or  annelid — 

PsyrmobranchoB  protensos 
♦Marine  worms 


Varions  opercolaria 
Conchophthiros  anodmitae 
Epistylis  ooarctatae 
Podophrya  elongata 
Epistjlis  plicatilis 
Epistylis  balanoram 
Conchophtbims 
Epistylis  enchloram 
Scyphidia  limacina 
Phychostomam 
Anoplophrya  vermicalaria 
Conchophthirns 
Anoplophrya  mytie 
Plagiotoma  lumbrici 
Anoplophrya  striata 
Hoplitophrya  lombricos 

falcifeim 
Hoplitophrya  secans 

*'  secariformis 

Anoplophrya  clavata 

**  oochleariformis 


Lichnophora  oohnii 
Anoplophrya  prolifera 
Balantidiam  medosaram 
Trichodina  digitodiscos 
Urceolaria  mitra 
Colvolata  scholzie 
Palsatella  oonvolata 
Hoplitophrya  recurva 
Hoptophrya  planiariam 
"  **        nndnata 

Planarian-thysanozoon  taberculata  Lichnophora  anerbachii 


Planarians 


♦Planariau  limacina 
*      "         torva 


Triton  cristata 

♦       '*        toeniatas 
♦Bafo  pantherinos 
♦Hyla  europea 
♦Frogs  &  toads 


*Nai8  serpentina 
♦Nais  littoralis 


Spirochona  tintinabnlum 
Trichodina  pedicalns 
Balantidinm  elongatnm 
Haptophrya  gigantea 
Opalina  obtrigona 
Opalina  ranarnm 
Opalina  dimidiata 
Opalina  intestinalis 
Balantidinm  entozoon 
**  elongatnm 

*'  dnodeni 

Nictothems  cordiformis 
Anoplophrya  naidos 

**  nodolata 


Digit] 


^11    flr^nigL 


1897] 


MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL. 


256 


Nais 

Biyozoa 

Nebaliam  bipes 

-^Clitellis  arenarias 
^Bombinator  ignens 
^Clepeine  binocnlata 
*PachydrUu8  verraoosa 

Hydropbilos  piceas 

Neritina  flaviatilis 

SpoDge — fretihwater 

Cycloetoma 

Tnbifex  rivalorum 

Eacbytroeos  vermicalaris 
*Urnatella  gracilis 
^Medasa 
*HaiDaD 
^MoasoD  trees 
•Water  beeUes 

Hydropoms  picipes 

NoteDecta  glaaca 

Coleoptera  aquatic 


Insects 


aqaatic 


Dytiscus  marginalos 

l^rva  of  culex  pipiens 
Tipnla  larva 

IMiiygiiiiklfc  larva 

•I  t( 

•Jules  margiuatns 
•DictoglcHsus  pictus 

SacciDea  amphibia 

Fisb 

*•     trout 

Porcellana  platycbeles  (a  crab) 

Caprella 

Crustacea 

Aeellnn  aequaticus 


**        flaviatilis 
AstacuB  flaviatilis  (cray  flsb) 


Scyphidia  iDclinaDs 
Acineta  pasilla 
Stylocbona  nebalina 
Anoplopbrya  filium 
Opalina  candata 
Apoplophrya  striata 
Anoplopbrya  pachydrili 
Podopbrya  ferrum  eqoinain 
Tricbodina  baltica 
Cychocbaeta  spougilla 
Tricbodinopsis  paradoza 
Epistylis  tubificis 
Hoplitopbrya  secans 
Anoplopbrya  socialis 
fialantidiam  medusorum 
Balantidium  ooli 
Cyclidium  arboreum 
Nictotberns  gyseryanus 
Podopbrya  wrzesniowski 
Acineta  notenecta 
Podopbrya  leicbtensteiuii 
Acineta  linguifera 
Nictotberas  ovalis 
Rhabdostyla  brevipes 
Zootbamninm  affine 
Epistylis  invaginatus 
**        nympbarum 
Pedophrya  steinii 
Opercularia  articulata 
Epistylis  umbelicata 
Epistylis  pyriformis 
Podopbrya  phryganidaram 
Epistylis  brancheopyla 
Nyctotberus  velox 
Haptopbrya  gigantea 
Concopbtberis 
Tricbodina  soorpaena 
Iclhyophtbirus 
Ophryodendron  poreellanum 
Hemiophrya  crustaceorum 
Opbryodendron  multicapitatnm 
2^thamniam  aselli 
Opercularia  stenostoma 
Yortioella  crassicanlis 
Carcbesinm  aselli 
Zootbaninium  macrostylnm 
Cotbu^nifi  sieboldii 


Digitized  by 


Google 


266 


THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY 


[Aug. 


Astacos  floTiatilis 


Hydra 

Hydioids  and  polyzoa 

Hydrozoa 

SertalAiia 


Zoophytes 
Clytia  volabilis 

Plomnlaria  setAcea 


♦White  ants 


*Sbeep  and  cattl^ 

♦Swine 
Soeuoiia  variegata 

♦Pelobatns  fuscos 

♦Phyllodoce 

♦Cockroach 


Cothomia  astaci 
Dendroeoma  astaci 
Podophrya  astaci 
Keiona  polypomm 
Trichodina  pedicnlns 
Acineta  livadiana 
Ophryodendrnm  abietiam 
Podophiya  lyngbii 
Epbelota  tiold 
Ophryodendram  abietinnm 
Hemiophrya  microeoma 
Ophryodendrom  sertalaria 
Acinetopsis  rara 
Acineta  crenata 
Ophryodendram  belgicnm 
Hemiophrya  posilla 
Ophryodendron  abietinnm 
Pedioellatnm 
Trichonympha 
Pyrosonema 
Dynenympha 
Isotricha 

Ophryscolex  pnrkinjei 
Balantidinm  coli 
Ptychostomnm 
Hoplitophrya  pnngens 
Opalina  intestinalis 
Anoplophrya  ovata 
Nyctotheris  oval  is 


A  Camera  Lucida  for  Use  with  both  Eyes. 

By  ARTHUR  M.  EDWARDS,  M.  D., 

NEWARK,  N.  J. 

When  using  the  camera  lucidas,  which  are  on  the  mar- 
ket, of  course  preference  is  given  to  that  known  as  Abbe's 
and  invented  by  Wollaston.  Abbe's  is  not  altogether 
satisfactory  and  Nachet's  is  better.  But  I  have  an  instru- 
ment which  can  be  used  with  both  eyes  at  the  same  time 
which  seems  to  be  a  novelty.  And  this  one  besides  use- 
ing  both  eyes  was  home-made  so  that  its  manufacture  is 
extremely  cheap.  Besides,  it  has  the  novelty  of  being 
made  by  myself,  and  can  readily  be  so  made  by  anyone. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICEOSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  267 

A  brass  cap  is  made  to  fit  loosely  over  the  eye-piece  of 
the  microscope  so  that  it  can  be  moved  around  and  the 
camera  pointed  to  any  point  of  the  compass.  This  is 
important  as  will  be  shown  further  on.  Upon  this  is 
placed  a  prism  of  30°.  This  can  be  obtained  at  any  ordi- 
nary opticians.  The  prism  is  of  ordinary  crown  glass 
and  is  rather  large  as  purchased  but  out  of  it  two  or  four 
prisms  can  be  cut.  I  find  it  can  be  cut  with  a  red  hot 
poker  placed  upon  it  along  the  line  which  it  is  desired  to 
cut.  The  cut  surfaces  can  then  be  ground  down  with  an 
ordinary  hone  with  emery  and  water.  This  takes  some 
time  but  is  not  essential.  The  microscope  is  placed  in  a 
slanting  position  which  is  advantageous,  for  the  camera 
lucida  can  be  placed  upon  the  instrument  without  having 
to  turn  it  over  until  it  points  transversely. 

The  object  is  viewed  in  the  ordinary  manner.  Now 
when  viewed  through  the  camera  lucida,  the  object  seems 
to  be  moved  towards  the  smallest  side  of  the  prism. 
That  is  to  say  the  ray  does  not  go  through  the  instrument 
in  a  straight  line  but  is  bent  toward  the  thin  edge  of  the 
prism  and  in  this  way  it  seems  to  move  the  object  out  of 
the  microscope  to  one  side.  When  the  left  eye  is  used 
on  the  microscope  the  thick  side  of  the  prism  is  on  the 
same  side,  i.  e.  the  left.  The  object  seems  to  be  moved 
towards  the  right.  It  is  there  thrown  down  on  a  paper 
which  is  used  to  delineate  it  by  means  of  a  pencil.  This 
pencil  is  seen  by  the  right  eye  and  in  consequence  of  the 
two  eyes  being  in  use  the  object  seen  by  left  eye  is  trans- 
parent to  the  paper  and  seems  to  be  where  the  pencil  is. 
Of  course  such  a  camera  lucida  is  not  perfect.  But  it 
comes  into  play  very  often.  And  this  was  the  shape  I 
made  it  into. 

I  propot^e  to  use  a  plano-convex  lens  with  the  convex 
side  uppermost  where  the  right  eye  is  placed  and  this 
will  make  it  more  certain.  For  if  the  lens  is  twelve  or 
fifteen  inches  focus  it  can  be  used  to  see  the  pencil  point 


Digitized  by 


Google 


258  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Aug. 

and  also  to  fix  the  eye  which  has  a  liability  to  wander.  I 
find  in  my  case  I  can  move  one  eye  without  the  other, 
and  this  makes  the  image  which  is  formed  by  the  right  eye 
move.  Of  course  when  the  left  eye  is  used  to  see  the  pen- 
cil point  the  prism  can  be  reversed  and  sometimes  it  is 
useful  to  move  it  around  from  the  east  to  the  southeast. 
But  these  movements  can  be  variable,  as  can  be  seen.  I 
wish  this  camera  could  be  tried,  for  it  is  easy  to  make  and 
easy  to  use. 


Brackish  along  with  Fresh-water  Bacillariaceae. 

By  ARTHUR  M.  EDWARDS,  M.  D., 

NEWARK,   N.   ^ 

I  have  to  record  again  living  brackish  Bacillariacea 
along  with  fresh  water  ones.  And  it  occurred  only  a 
few  days  ago.  One  Sunday,  in  the  latter  part  of  June 
with  a  bottle  in  hand,  for  I  never  go  without  one,  I  was 
watching  the  turn  of  the  tide  at  Bellville,  N.  J.,  near  the 
bridge.  I  saw  the  water  which  was  coming  from  a  cut 
off  where  the  Myriophylum  and  Anacharis  was  plenty, 
and  snails,  Lymnea  and  Plunorbis  in  profusion  had  on 
the  top  a  dust  of  BacillariaceaB  and  other  things.  I  saw 
it  go  down  the  river,  which  is  brackish  here  until  it 
passed  to  Newark  bay  and  so  to  the  ocean.  I  wondered 
what  became  of  those  fresh-water  forms  when  they  came 
to  the  salt  water.  Did  they  all  dissolve  or  did  they 
transform  into  salt-water  forms  ?  I  got  a  bottle  full  of 
the  water  and  brought  it  home  and  examined  it  and  have 
it  now  growing  in  my  window.  There  was  a  plenty  of 
Nitzchia  obtusa,var.  brevissima,  A.  G.,  Cyclotella  striata. 
Eunotia  monodon,  Gomphonema  turrio,  Navicula  cuspi- 
data,  Synedra  ulna,  and  various  other  fresh-water  forms 
but  there  was  living  Coscinodiscus  excentricus  and 
Surirella  striatula.  Both  of  these  are  put  down  as  brack- 
ish forms,  but  I  had  them  here  in  fresh-water  along  with 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICEOSGOPICAL  JOURNAL.  269 

a  Closterium,  a  desmid,  and  more  wonderfal  still  a 
Dictyodia  fibula,  with  endochrome  in  it.  This  is  removed 
from  the  Diatoms  and  placed  among  the  Rhizopoda. 

Now  what  can  become  of  these  when  they  pass  down 
to  the  sea  ?  They  may  be  dissolved,  for  they  are  read- 
ily soluble  in  fresh  water  and  presumably  in  salt-water 
although  they  may  not  be  as  soluble.  Or  they  may 
change.  The  Surirella  striatula  and  Coscinodiscus  excen- 
tricus  may  live  as  salt  water  forms,  for  they  have  been 
seen  so  and  the  others  die.  The  spot  where  I  collected 
them  was  where  the  fresh -water  flowed  into  the  brackish, 
and  Newark,  which  is  only  three  miles  further  south,  and 
where  salt  water  is  very  brackish,  and  New  York  bay, 
which  is  nine  miles  further  off  is  salt.  So  that  we  have 
a  quick  change  from  fresh  to  salt  water  and  they  can  be 
watched. 


EDITOSUL. 


Small  Attendance  at  the  A.  M.  S. — We  have  just  read 
in  an  exchange  the  query  which  the  writer  seems  unable 
or  unwilling  to  answer  :  "Why  is  it  that  the  membership 
of  the  society  and  attendance  at  its  meetings  are  so  small?" 
The  reasons  are  quite  apparent  but  one  hates  to  state 
them.  The  truth,  if  it  must  be  told,  is  that  a  little  group 
of  officers  and  candidates  for  office  run  the  meetings  for 
certain  very  narrow,  or  for  personal  ends.  There  is  never 
exhibited  a  broad  spiritof  philanthropy,  never  a  sufficiently 
deliberate  purpose  to  interest  new  recruits  in  microscopy, 
never  sufficient  means  to  enable  then  to  learn  the  business, 
never  reports  from  local  societies,  never  steps  to  found 
additional  local  societies,  never  grants  of  money  for  phil- 
anthropic investigation  with  the  instrument,  never  prac- 
tical application  of  microscopy  to  hygiene,  to  health,  to 
happiness  of  the  masses. 

A  few  specialists,  a  few  college  prof  essors,  a  few  doctors, 
get  together  to  do  what  is  of  personal  interest  to  themselves, 
to  read  accounts  of  what  they  have  occupied  themselves 


Digitized  by 


Google 


260  tHiB  AMB&ICAlJ  MONTHLY  [Aug. 

about  in  the  past,  discuss  such  topics  as  vivisection,  and 
the  supposed  rig-ht  of  all  scientists  to  practice  it  without 
restriction  or  inspection.  How  can  others  feel  much  inter- 
est in  such  doing's  ? 

The  conduct  of  the  society  as  now  run,  seems  to  be 
tinctured  with  selfinterest,  and  the  devotion  of  one's  time 
and  thoug-ht  to  self  leads  to  the  alienation  of  others. 

That  bee-in-the-bonnet — to  become  F.  R.  M.  S.  and  to  be 
able  to  label  one's  name  with  those  letters  seems  to  over- 
shaddow  the  minds  of  the  little  g-roup  who  go  to  the  meet- 
ings, so  that  they  are  blind  to  what  would  interest  a  larg^e 
number  of  people.  This,  if  true,  will  sufficiently  explain 
why  so  few  join  the  company. 

The  greatly  decreased  number  of  local  societies  and  the 
loss  of  interest  in  their  work  throughout  the  country  has 
never  given  the  American  Society  any  concern.  Never 
has  it  lent  any  aid  to  small  and  strug-gling  societies,  never 
has  it  asked  after  their  welfare,  never  has  it  invited  them 
to  send  delegates  to  its  meetings.  It  does  not  even  present 
them  with  copies  of  its  Transactions.  It  leaves  them  all 
to  get  on  as  they  may,  and  that  has  been  for  many  years 
past  towards  decay. 

Another  thing  the  Society  might  have  done  and  it  never 
has  done  so.  It  might  each  year  bring  one  of  the  world's 
great  microscopists  from  Europe  to  deliver  an  address, 
and  to  advise  regarding  its  work.  The  announcement  in 
the  periodicals,  three  months  in  advance,  that  Nelson  or 
Dallinger,  or  Abbe  will  be  present  would  mean  that  men 
will  make  efforts  to  attend  who  will  not  go  to  a  mutual 
admiration  circle.  The  money  spent  in  publishing  papers  • 
that  were  never  read  and  absolutely  verbatim  reports  of 
business  discussions  would  suffice  to  bring- one  g-reatg*uest 
to  the  meeting  annually.  All  such  papers  could  be  pub- 
lished without  cost  to  the  society  aad  the  money  now 
wasted  be  made  useful. 

In  the  last  volume,  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  pages 
were  occupied  with  eleven  papers  which  were  not  read  at 
the  meeting,  their  authors  were  not  present  and  very  likely 
the  papers  were  not  completely  written  till  after  the  meet- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  261 

ingf.  The  thirteen  papers  which  were  read  occupy  one 
hundred  and  thirty-five  pages.  Why  should  people  go 
hundreds  of  miles  to  the  meeting  to  hear — 

13  papers  which  will  occupy  135  pages  and  to  miss — 

11  papers  which  will  occupy  128  pages  when  every  word 
uttered  at  the  meeting  will  be  sent  out  in  type? 

Notice  this  feample  of  wasted  space  : 

"Secretary. — This  completes  the  list,  Mr.  President." 

"President. — We  are  now  under  the  head  of  ordinary 
business." 

"Secretary. — I  wish  to  say  that  all  members  who  have 
read  papers  and  have  not  handed  them  in  are  requested 
to  do  so  as  soon  as  possible  as  I  wish  to  have  the  Transac- 
tions out  about  the  first  of  December,  if  possible,  and 
surely  before  the  holidays  [Applause]." 

The  Proceedings  were  out  the  following  June  with 
"March,  1897"  printed  on  the  cover.  By  waiting,  one  may 
read  every  word  and  need  not  go  to  the  meeting  to  hear  any- 
thing. 

There  is  probably  not  another  society  in  the  world  that 
prints  all  this  minutiae.  It  is  a  waste  of  money.  The  most 
successful  societies  now  relegate  all  the  business  to  secret 
meetings  of  an  executive  board.  Who  cares  to  go  from 
New  York  to  Toledo  to  hear  the  full  society  discuss  the 
advisability  of  printing  400  copies  of  the  constitution  ?  The 
excuse  for  this  printing  is  that  not  one  in  twenty  of  the 
members  are  present  and  that  they  must  be  informed  of 
what  goes  on.  Many  of  them  pay  their  dues  and  if  they 
do  not  get  what  is  in  the  book,  they  get  nothing  therefor. 
But  this  in  turn  becomes  a  cause  of  small  meetings. 

Men  do  not  like  to  confess  their  ambitions.  If  they  did, 
we  should  probably  hear  from  nearly  all  those  who  con- 
tribute to  the  Proceedings  that  they  are  candidates  for 
the  un-American  English  honor  of  F.  R.  M.  S.  The  Eng- 
lish society  judges  candidates  by  their  technical  publica- 
tions and  judges  Americans  by  this  volume  in  question. 
This  fact  is  known  by  the  members  of  this  little  group. 
Do  not  they  act  with  this  fact  in  view?  And  do  they  not 
largely  forget  and  ignore  matters  of  general  interest  or 


Digitized  by 


Google 


262  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Aug 

utility  in  their  desire  to  be  successful  candidates  for  F.  R. 
M.  S.  If  so,  how  can  it  be  expected  that  the  meetings  will 
be  larg-e  ? 

Each  year  the  president  of  the  society  receives  the  long 
coveted  honor.  The  records  will  show,  that  having  got- 
ten it,  he  usually  graduates  from  all  active  connection  with 
the  Society.  Annually  relegate  one  of  the  most  active 
members  to  obscurity  and  what  should  be  the  effect  in  the 
19  years  the  society  has  been  in  existence  ?  Do  we  need 
go  further  in  order  to  answer  why  the  attendance  at  the 
meetings  is  confined  to  a  small  group  of  people  ?  If  a  man 
can  get  his  paper  before  the  Royal  Microscopical  Society 
by  delivering  it  to  the  secretary  of  the  American  Society 
in  time  to  go  into  the  Proceedings  why  should  he  be  to  the 
time  and  expense  of  a  trip  to  Toledo? 

What  then  is  necessary  for  the  success  of  the  Society? 

1.  Change  its  whole  spirit  and  methods. 

2.  Elect  only  such  men  to  the  presidency  as  have 
largely  advanced  microscopical  interest  in  America. 

3.  Pay  the  expenses  of  a  distinguished  microscopist  to 
visit  each  meeting. 

4.  Transfer  all  business  to  secret  sessions  of  a  Board. 

5.  Publish  only  the  results  of  business  discussions. 

6.  Publish  no  paper  that  has  not  been  read  at  a  meeting. 

7.  Publish  in  full  only  such  papers  as  are  of  great 
value  and  require  expensive  illustrations. 

8.  Publish  brief  abstracts  of  minor  papers,  leaving  the 
periodicals  to  publish  them  in  full. 

9.  Leave  to  periodicals  all  that  properly  belongs  to 
journalism. 

10.  Permit  and  encourage  the  periodicals  to  publish  all 
that  they  can  of  the  papers  read  and  of  the  president's 
address. 

11.  Be  at  work  all  the  year  preparing  something*  that 
will  interest  a  large  number  of  people. 

12.  Take  great  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  local 
societies  and  invent  means  to  help  them  to  prosper. 

13.  Receive  their  delegates  as  honorary  members,  enter- 
tain them  and  send  them  home  full  of  enthusiasm. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  263 

14.  Let  alone  and  repudiate  this  un-American  title  F.  R. 
M.  S.  and  make  F.  A.  M.  S.  an  equal  or  superior  honor, 
but  let  it  be  conferred  only  for  philanthropic  work  done. 

15.  Meet  only  at  central  points  within  easy  access  of 
many  members. 

16.  To  double  the  membership,  halve  the  cost  of  member- 
ship. 

17.  Treat  the  periodicals  so  fairly  and  liberally  that  they 
will  work  for  the  society  all  the  time. 

18.  Banish  narrowness,  selfishness,  cliques,  cranks, 
unworthy  ambitions  and  decide  to  become  a  power  through 
the  actual  benefit  conferred  on  the  public. 

19.  For  extremely  technical  papers  which  almost  no  one 
can  understand  substitute  largely  papers  that  educated 
people  can  see  some  meaning  in. 

20.  Show  continually  the  usefulness  and  application  of 
the  microscope  to  all  branches  of  practical  industry  and 
the  advancement  of  human  happiness. 


MICBOSCOFIGAL  MANIPULATION. 

Staining  the  Tubercle  Bacillus  in  Sections. — This  can 
easily  be  done  by  the  methods  recommended  originally  by 
Ehrlich  and  by  Ziehl.  Many  slight  modifications  in  tech- 
nical details  have  been  introduced  by  a  large  numbers  of 
workers,  but  the  essential  step  by  which  the  Bacillus  tuber- 
culosis can  be  diflFerentiated  from  other  bacilli  consists  in 
the  use  of  mineral  acids,  such  as  nitric  or  sulphuric  acid. 
When  bacilli  have  been  well  stained  with  methyl-violet  or 
with  fuchsin,  it  is  found  that  certain  dilutions  of  sulphuric 
acid  and  nitric  acid  will  rapidly  remove  the  stain  from  all 
known  pathogenic  bacilli,  with  the  exception  of  the  bacilli 
of  tuberculosis  and  of  leprosy,  which  are  discolored  very 
much  more  slowly.  The  use  of  nitric  acid  is,  however, 
objectionable  when  one  has  to  deal  with  delicate  tissues, 
and  even  sulphuric  acid,  diluted  with  six  parts  of  water, 
will  cause  a  certain  amount  of  distortion.  For  this  reason 
bacteriologists  have  long  wished  to  find  a  method  in  which 
the  use  of  strong  acids  was  done  away  with.     Dr.  Borrel, 


Digitized  by 


Google 


264  THB  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Aug 

after  using"  a  method  in  some  researches  in  tuberculous 
lesion,  has  strongly  recommended  the  following  : 

After  the  sections  have  been  stained  in  the  usual  way  by 
means  of  carbolised  f uchsin,  they  are  placed  for  a  short 
time  in  a  solution  of  hydrochlorate  of  aniline,  and  after  this 
they  are  left  in  alcohol  till  quite  decolorized,  when  it  is 
found  that  though  the  fuchsin  has  been  removed  from 
all  the  tissues,  the  tubercle  bacilli  remain  deeply  stained. 

This  method,  therefore,  resembles  very  closely  the 
Gram's  method,  with  the  difference  that,  instead  of 
Gram's  iodine  solution  being  used  to  fix  the  stain  in  the 
bacilli,  in  this  case  it  is  Kuhne's  hydrochlorate  of  aniline 
which  is  used. 

Dr.  Ratcliff,  being  engaged  in  delicate  experiments  on 
the  spread  of  tuberculosis  in  the  laboratory,  was  advised 
to  try  this  method,  which  seemed  to  present  many  advant- 
ages over  the  older  methods,  when  a  few  bacilli  only  are 
present  in  the  organ.  The  details  published  not  being 
quite  sufficient  to  obtain  very  satisfactory  results  in  every 
case,  we  worked  out  the  details  now  given  with  the  result 
that  we  can  strongly  recommend  the  following  procedure: 

(1)  Fix  tissues  by  means  of  perchloride  of  mercury, 
acidulated  or  not,  and  then  hardened  in  alcohol  as  usual. 

(2)  Embed  tissues  in  paraffin,  using  toluol  as  a  solvent. 

(3)  Fix  section  on  slides  by  means  of  glycerine  albu- 
men in  the  usual  way. 

So  far,  there  is  nothing  new  in  the  method. 

(4)  Stain  with  haematin  solution  for  ten  to  twenty 
seconds  to  obtain  a  pure  nuclear  stain  (not  too  deep) ;  then 
wash  thoroughly  in  water. 

(5)  Stain  now  with  Ziehl's  carbonized  fuchsin,  kept  at 
a  temperature  of  about  47  degrees  C.  for  twenty  to  thirty 
minutes.  The  slides  are  during  that  time  kept  in  a 
moist  chamber  to  prevent  the  stain  drying  on  the  speci- 
men. 

(6)  Remove  the  stain  and  treat  the  section  with  2  per 
cent  watery  solution  of  hydrochlorate  or  aniline  for  a  few 
seconds. 

(7)  Decolorize  in  75  per  cent  alcohol  till  the  section  is 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICEOSeOPICAL  JOURNAL.  265 

apparently  free  from  stain;  this  will  take  from  fifteen  to 
thirty  minutes. 

(8)  Double  stain  with  a  solution  of  orange  (1  per  cent 
of  saturated  watery  solution  of  orange  to  20  to  40  parts  of 
SO  per  cent  alcohol). 

(9)  Dehydrate  with  absolute  alcohol. 

(10)  Clear  very  rapidly  with  xylol. 

(11)  Mount  in  xylol  and  Canada  balsam. 

A  New  Method  of  Staining  Nervous  Tissue.— Vasta- 
rina-Cersi  (Rif.  Med.,  Feb.  14,  1896.)  describes  a  new  and 
effectual  method  of  staining  the  spinal  cord,  etc.,  for 
macroscopic  purposes.  The  entire  cerebro-spinal  axis, 
with  the  meninges,  is  plunged  into  about  3  litres  of  an  aque- 
ous solution  of  formaldehyde  (16  per  1000).  The  tissue  is 
left  in  the  medium  for  two  weeks,  the  meninges  being 
removed  on  the  second  or  third  day.  Sections  from  3  to  5 
cm.  thick  are  then  cut  and  kept  in  distilled  water,  or,  better 
in  alcohol  at  40  degrees,  for  twelve  or  twenty-four  hours; 
then  plunged  into  75  degrees  solution  of  AqNOs  in  the 
dark.  The  white  substance  soon  becomes  stained  brown. 
A  prolonged  stay  in  the  AqNOa  sol.  does  no  harm.  The 
stain  may  be  fixed  for  an  indefinite  time  if  the  preparation 
s  left  for  two  or  three  days  in  the  dark  in  distilled  water 
and  then  in  alcohol  at  70  degrees.  Tissue  so  prepared 
shows  in  the  clearest  manner  the  relations  between  the 
white  and  the  grey  substance.  For  example,  in  the  medulla 
one  could  distinctly  see  with  the  naked  eye  the  respiratory 
fascicules  of  Krause.  The  advantages  claimed  by  the 
author  for  this  method  are  its  simplicity  and  rapidity  of 
execution,  the  constancy  of  the  results,  and  its  great 
teaching  value. — Brit.   Med.  Journ. 


BACTEBIOLOGT. 


Potato  Agar.— Dr.  H.  M.  Richards,  of  Barnard  College, 
has  proven  the  potato  agar  to  be  of  great  service.  It  is 
prepared  as  follows  :  Three  or  four  medium-sized  potatoes 
are  washed,  pared,  cut  into  pieces  and  boiled  in  one  liter 


Digitized  by 


Google 


266  THE  AMBBICAN  MONTHLY  [Aug 

washed  and  again  boiled  one-half  hour;  the  liquid  is  then 
filtered  through  cotton,  then  through  paper,  and  serves  as 
the  watery  basis  of  the  agar.  One  per  cent  of  peptone,  ^ 
per  cent  of  salt  and  1^  per  cent  of  agar  are  added  to  one 
liter  of  potato  water  and  the  whole  boiled  over  a  flame  for 
about  three  quarters  of  an  hour.  The  medium  is  then 
titrated  to  determine  its  reaction,  and  brought  to  react 
0.15  acid  phenolphthalein.  If  alkali  (Na  O  H)  or  acid  (H 
CI)  is  added,  the  boiling  is  continued  one-half  hour  longer. 
The  medium  is  filtered  through  absorbent  cotton  steril- 
ized for  three  consecutive  'days  at  twenty-four  hour 
intervals,  and  then  put  into  test  tubes  and  sterilized.  After 
the  last  sterilization  the  medium  is  allowed  to  harden  on 
the  slant. 


IffiDICAL  M1CE0SG0PT. 

Diagnosis  of  Pregnancy. —  Dr.  Park  of  Philadelphia 
reports  that  pregnancy  may  be  diagnosed  as  early  as 
twenty  days  after  its  occurence  by  a  study  of  the  triple 
phosphates  in  the  urine.  The  feathery  appearance  dis- 
appears from  the  tips  of  the  crystals  sometimes  from  one 
side  only  at  first,  followed  by  a  like  disappearance  from 
the  other  side.  If  the  fetus  dies  the  normal  appearance 
is  renewed.  This  diagnosis  of  course  affords  the  advan- 
tage that  it  can  be  made  without  suspicion  on  the  part  of 
the  patient. — Am.  Gyn.  and  Obst.  Jour. 

Examination  of  Blood  in  Diphtheria. — ^A  microscopic 
examination  of  the  blood  will  enable  us  to  make  a  more 
intelligent  diagnosis  in  diphtheria.  If  the  myelocytes 
— i.  e.,  mono-nuclear  white  blood  corpuscles,  with  neutro- 
phile  granules  (excluding  both  the  mono-nuclear  leuco- 
cytes poor  in  chromatin,  considered  by  Frankel  as  charac- 
teristic of  leukaemia,  and  also  the  large  mono-nuclear 
eosinophile  cells  of  Muller  and  Rieder) — are  present  in 
quantities  of  two  per  cent,  or  more  in  the  blood  of  a  diph- 
theria patient,  the  patient  will  die;  but  a  smaller  percentage 
does  not  of  itself  justify  a  favorable  prognosis.  The 
highest  percentages  found  in  diphtheria  patients  who  re- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MIOEOSCOPIOAL  JOURNAL.  267 

cover  were  1.5  per  cent.,  1.4  per  cent.,  and  1.3  per  cent., 
and  these  were  present  only  at  the  heigcht  of  the  illness, 
sinking- back  very  shortly  to  0.7  per  cent.,  0.1  per  cent., 
and  0  per  cent,  respectively. 

The  maximum  of  myelocytes  found  in  the  blood  of  those 
who  died  of  diphtheria  was  16.4  per  cent.  On  the  other 
hand,  eig-ht  cases  died  without  any  noticeable  increase  in 
the  quantity  of  myelocytes.  The  author  cannot  yet  state 
at  what  day  of  the  illness  a  bad  prog-nosis  may  be  made, 
but  in  one  case  in  which  he  was  able  to  examine  the  blood 
on  the  fourth  day  he  found  12.8  per  cent,  myelocytes. 
The  first  case  died  seven  days  later;  the  second,  eig-hteen 
days  after. 

Interesting  observations  are  recorded  with  regard  to 
the  numbers  of  other  white  cells,  eosinophil  cells,  etc;  but 
apparently  no  very  definite  conclusions  can  be  formed 
with  regard  to  them. 


BIOLOGICAL  NOTES. 


Chalk.— A  sheet  of  chalk  more  than  1,000  feet  in  thick- 
ness underlies  all  that  portion  of  Eng-land  which  is  situated 
to  the  southeast  of  a  line  crossing  the  island  diagonally 
from  the  North  Sea  at  Flam  borough  Head  to  the  coast  of 
the  English  Channel  in  Dorset.  This  massive  sheet  of 
chalk  appears  again  in  France  and  as  far  east  as  the  Crimea 
and  even  in  Central  Asia  beyond  the  sea  of  Aral.  There 
can  be  little  question  that  all  these  now  isolated  patches 
were  once  connected  in  a  continuous  sheet,  which  must, 
therefore,  have  occupied  a  superficial  area  about  3,000 
miles  long,  by  nearly  1,000  broad.  These  enormous 
deposits  are  made  up  of  the  microscopic  remains  of  min- 
ute sea  animals. 

Hair  on  the  Pulvill  lof  Flies.—  With  regard  to  the  diffi- 
culty respecting  the  hairs  on  the  pulvilli  of  flies,  is  it  to  be 
expected  that  the  hairs  should  be  hollow,  and  in  the  nat- 
ure of  ducts  for  the  viscid  fluid  secreted  by  the  glands  ? 
Do  they — th^  Jiairs — not  ^ct  rather  as  a  simple  mecnhaic^l 


Digitized  by 


Google 


268  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Aug 

method  for  enabling"  the  insect  instantaneously  to  detach 
its  foothold  from  the  object  upon  which  it  has  been  rest- 
ing and  supposing-  the  pulvillus  to  be  hairless,  and  the 
secreting"  surface  to  be  broug-ht  into  close  connection 
with  the  object,  would  there  not  be  g-reat  difficulty  in  the 
creature  at  once  liberating- itself  ? 

Action  of  Light  on  Fungi.—  M.  A,  Lendner  records 
(Ann.  des  Sci.  Nat.  Botan.)the  result  of  a  series  of  experi- 
ments on  the  effect  of  the  access  and  withdrawal  of  lig-ht 
on  a  variety  of  f  ung-i,  chiefly  mucorini  and  ascomycetes, 
grown  on  different  media.  All  the  mucorini  examined 
developed  sporang-es  under  the  influence  of  light  when 
grown  on  solid  substrata  ;  in  liquid  media  the  results  var- 
ied with  the  species.  In  the  case  of  the  conidial  forms  of 
the  ascomycetes,  conids  were  invariably  formed  under  the 
influence  of  alternate  day  and  night;  under  continuous 
light  the  results  varied  with  the  species.  All  the  phenom- 
ena of  heliotropic  sensitiveness  in  fungi  appear  to  have 
their  source  in  the  need  for  nutrition. 


NEW  PUBLICATIONS. 


The  Canadian  Entomologist  is  a  bright  and  newsy  dol- 
lar magazine  from  which  we  extract  items  occasionally. 
The  contributors  are  nearly  all  United  States  people,  a 
recent  number  containing  eight  articles  all  from  the  states 
and  none  from  Canada.  The  April  number  had  seven  U. 
S.  contributions  to  three  Dominion.  How  can  Canada  with 
only  a  few  entomologists  maintain  such  a  magazine  ?  We 
suspect  because  cheap  living  makes  cheap  cost  of  print- 
ing while  money  and  articles  come  from  us  to  support  the 
same. 

Recent  Articles. — F.  Chapman  writes  in  the  May  Geo- 
logical Magazine  on  the  Microscopic  Contents  of  a  sample 
of  Bracklesham  Clay  from  the  Solent. 

Prof.  R.  Jones  describes  in  the  same  number  some  new 
Entomostraca  from  Brazil. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


WANT,  SALE  AND  EXCHANGE  NOTiCES. 


FOR  SALE.  —First  class  Botanical  moanto,  25  cents.  Send  for  list ;  also 
wUl  exchange.  I.  PERCY  BLA.CKMAN,  S^ndy  Hook,  Omn. 

FOB  SALE.— Tolles  1-10  objective,  1.42  N  A,  one  of  his  latest  and  beat. 
Also  1-12  Powell  &  Leland  apochromatic  objective,  1.40  N.  A,  new. 

C.  £.  BLAKE  &  CO.,  Adams  Express  Bldg.,  Chicago,  IlL 

HEAD  the  nice  stories  in  Lippinoott's  Monthly  Magazine.  Ton  can  save 
50  cents,  (clnb  rate)  by  snbscribiug  for  Lippincott  throng^  as. 

.     MICROSOOPICAX  PUB.  CO. 

FOR  SAIJB.— Nicely  monnted  slides  of  Rhinoceros  horn,  at  40  cents  each. 
H.  H.  DAVISON,  41  Samner  St.,  Pautndcet,  R,  L 

FOR  SALE. — Pritehard's  Infusoria  (latest  edition,  colored  phites)  and 
Smith's  British  Diatomaces  (2  vols.,  ancut).^  These  works  are  veiy  scarce 
and  can  only  be  got,as  in  this  case,  when  a  microtomist  finishes  using  them. 
Price  160.  No  Sig..  Care  C.  W.  SMILEY. 

FOR  EXCHANGE.— The  Mnsenm  of  Hamline  University  desires  to  ex- 
change Atlantic  Shells,  preserved  specimens  of  Marine  Zoology  of  microscopic 
slip  slides  for  zoological  specimens  especially  Rodents  in  the  fleah  from 
Southwestern  United  States.    Correspondence  solicited. 

HENRY  L.  OSBORN,  Hamline  Univ.,  St  Paul,  Minnesota. 

ARRANGED  DIATOMS.  I  furnish  the  mostartistitioarrangementBof 
diatoms  in  slides  at  $5.00  each.  Your  name  can  be  made  £rom  different 
species.  Roosters,  hen  and  chickens,  and  bouquets  of  flbwers  in  batterfly 
scales  and  diatoms  from  $5.00.    Refer  to  the  Editor  of  tiiis  JoumaL 

^Miereseepieal  Specialties. 

KING'S  CEMENTS  ^^^•^''•^"^"•"'^•**S?iMe.wm«-tai.|t. 

KING'S  GLYCERINE  JELLY  is  unsurpassed, 
THE  KING  MICROTOME  is  the  best  for  botanical  work. 

Sftiid  for  ftiU  Urt  of  ipodaltiai.      ' 

J.   D.   KING,    Cottage   City»   Mass* 
INVERTEBRATE  DISSECTIONS. 

SecMid  Edition;  Revited and  QreaUif  Eklarg^d, 
DESIGNED  to  sait  the  reqairements  of  highachool  or  college,  or  to  guide 
any  who  may  desire  to  pursue  an  elementary  course  of  practical  or  theoretical 
invertebrate  zoology.  It  contains  working  directions  for  the  study  of  fifty 
types,  fix>m  all  classes  and  orders  of  Invertebrates,  attention  being  chiefly 
called  to  common  and  easily  obtained  forms ;  notes  on  hikbits  and  modes  of 
capture,  and  items  to  observe  on  living  animals ;  bibliographical  reference  to 
some  of  the  most  accessible  literature  of  each  gioup  :  and  a  synoptical  table 
of  the  entire  animal  kingdom  summarizing  all  the  phyla,  dams  and  orders, 
thns  making  the  book  a  compend  of  Elementary  Invertebrate  Zoology. 

Rvo;  heavy  paper  covers;  64  pages  ;  price  75  cents.  Special  rates  for  schools. 
Sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price.  Circulars  and  sample  pages  Aimished  on 
application  to  author. 

Hrnry  L.  Osborn, 

HanUine  University  ^  St.  Paul^  Minn. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE  FISK 

TRAGHRRS'  AGRNOIR8, 
EVERETT  O.  FISK  &  CO..  Proprietors. 


Btibrt  0.  FitK, 


President. 

4  Aditmlrtoii  PlAoe,  Boiton,  Hms. 

Managers. 

W.  B.  HnouoK,  4  Aahbnrton  VlhOb,  BoitoD, 
'Mm. 

Miv.  8.  D.  TiitTRMOND,  1242    TwelMi  St^ 
■•  ,D.O. 

KB,  4  AfU)arton  Plftce,  Boston, 


W.  D.  Kbiui,  70  Fifth  ATenae,  New  Toric, 
N.T  .  ««, 


WMbinffton,  D.  0. 
A.  G.  ruBi 


Mahtba  Hoao,  4  Aflbbiirtoii  Place,  Boston, 


P.  V.  HuTSSooif ,  70  Filth  Avenne,  NewTork, 
N.T.  • 

W.  9.  Peatt,  70  Fifth  Avenne,  New  Toit, 
N.  T. 


Bblkn  O.  KAasR,  4  Aahborton  Place,  Boe- 
ton«  Mmb. 

W.  0.  McTAoaABT,  26  King  St,  Weet 
Voronto,  OuuuU. 

H.  B.  OnoOKKB,  70  FlMi  Avenne,New  Tork, 
N.T. 


L.  B.  HAi.gBT,366  WabMh  ATonae,  Ohlcago, 


olis. 


J,  D.  Enols,  Gentry  Building.  If  inneapo- 
lis,  Minn.  ^**v 


Mbs.  B.  Dowuho   Eholb,  Gentery  BMg., 
Minneapolis,  Minn. 

0. 0.  BoTNTOK,  120^  So.  Spring  St.,  Los. 
Angeles,  Oal. 

SendtonnyoftheaboTeagendes  for  100-page  Agency  Manual.    Oorrespondence  with  aa- 
ployers  is  invited.    Begistntion  fonns  sent  to  teachers  on  application. 


ZEISS  MICROSCOPES. 

Tbe  Carl  Zeiss  Optical  Works  in  Jena 

Are  recognized  in  Europe  as  the  leading  manufacturers  of  Stands  and 
Objectives.  They  have  issued  a  new  Catalogue  for  1895,  containing  a 
description  of^^iuttibe^S?Tew^accessone^maapp2^^  which  I  am 
enabled  to  import  at  lowest  rates.  Orders  for  colleges  and  institutions 
filled  prompty,  duty  free.  New  Catalogues  forwarded  on  application, 
against  20  cents  in  postage  stamps. 

F.  J.  jEMMERICH,  Sr.,  Agrent, 

74  Murray  St.,   New  York,  N.  Y. 


OPTICIAN. 
209  South  nth  Street,   Fhiladelpl)^. 


HISTOLOGICAL   MICROSCOPES  $65. 


STUDENTS'  MICROSCOPES,  $38  to  $46,  Complete. 

MICROMETER  RULINGS,   A  SPECIALTY. 


ILLtrSTRATKD  CATALOGUE  ON   APPLICATION. 


1 


Digitized  by 


Googk. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


4 


(n 


C.«.Y««\Vd.         \»wr  *A- Vd.  <V.t 


SEEDS  AND  TESTA 


Digitized  by 


Google 


"CT    12  190! 

THE    AMERICAN 

^  ;:..  MONTHLY 

MICROSCOPICAL    JOURNAL. 


Vol,.  XVIII.  SEPTEMBER,     1897.  No.  9. 

On  the  Seeds  and  Testa  of  Some  Crucifera. 

By  L.  H.  PAMMEL, 

AMBS,   IOWA. 

[CoDtribatioDS,  No.  6,  Botanical  Department,  Iowa  Agricaltaral  College.] 

WITH  FRONTISl-IECE. 

Continued  from  page  210. 

Sisymbrium  officinale,  Scop. 

Pod  a  half  inch  long  or  more,  awl-shaped,  somewhat 
four  sided,  borne  on  short  erect  pedicels,  twelve  seeded, 
seeds  light  brown,  oblong,  or  in  some  cases,  triangular, 
one  half  to  three  fourths  of  a  line  long.  Caulicle  extend- 
ing lengthwise  with  a  depression  between  it  and  the 
cotyledons.    Cotyledons  incumbent. 

Seed  coats  quite  uniformly  developed.  Cuticle  cover- 
ing the  epidermal  cells,  the  latter  tabular,  much  com- 
pressed. On  the  addition  of  water  the  cell  walls  become 
mucilaginous  with  evident  stratification.  The  second 
layer  of  cells  brown  and  thin  walled,  much  compressed. 
On  addition  of  chloral  hydrate  they  expand.  Third 
layer  much  darker  than  the  second,  thick  walled,  fol- 
lowed by  endosperm,  cells  elongated  filled  with  protein 
grains,  followed  by  elongated  thick  walled  cells  with  a 
small  cavity.  These  reach  their  highest  development 
between  cotyledons  and  caulicle.  First  row  of  cells  of 
the  embryo  nearly  isodiametric,  filled  with  protein  grains 
and  oil. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


270  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Sept 

S.    ALTISSIMUM,  L. 

Slender,  slightly  curved  pods,  two  to  four  inches  long, 
firm,  cylindrical.  Seeds  light  straw  colored,  one-half  to 
three-fourths  line  or  less  long  ;  oblong  or  nearly  triangu- 
lar. 

On  the  addition  of  water  the  cell-wall  of  outer  seed 
coat  becomes  mucilaginous.  Outer  epidermal  layer 
covered  with  cuticle,  cells  elongated,  on  the  addition  of 
water,  walls  become  mucilaginous  and  show  stratification. 
Cell-walls  of  second  layer  thick,  light  brown,  followed  by 
endosperm  of  two  layers  of  cells,  first  elongated,  thick- 
walled. 

Cells  of  embryo  as  in  S.  officinale. 

Lepidium  virginicum,  L. 

Pod  orbicular  or  oval,  a  line  and  a  half  to  one  and  three 
fourths  lines  long,  larger  than  L.  apetalum,  with  a  small 
notch  at  the  top,  slightly  margined  above,  often  purple 
tinged  at  maturity.  Seeds  pendulous,  light  brown, 
minutely  pitted,  with  a  narrow  winged  margin,  one  line 
long.  The  icaulicle  runs  lengthwise,  on  each  side  a 
groove,  marking  the  boundary  between  the  caulicle  and 
cotyledons,  the  latter  accumbent.  On  the  addition  of 
water  the  outer-walls  become  mucilaginous. 

The  seed  coats  consist  of  three  well  defined  layers. 
The  outer  or  epidermal  cells  are  tabulated,  somewhat 
compressed.  The  cuticle  forms  a  continuous  layer  over 
these.  On  the  addition  of  water  the  epidermal  cells 
elongate  and  form  a  mucilaginous  mass,  showing  strati- 
fied layers.  These  are  not  diflBcult  to  make  out  when  the 
specimen  is  mounted  in  water.  The  cell  cavity  is  very 
much  reduced,  that  portion  of  the  cell-wall  in  contact 
with  the  cell-cavity  is  diflFerentiated  from  the  outer  cell- 
wall  substance.  Long  continued  addition  of  water  causes 
the  cuticle  to  break  and  the  exterior  becomes  very  irreg- 
ular. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICJIOSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  271 

The  second  layer  is  colored  brown,  the  cell-walls  are 
considerably  thickened  laterally  and  project  upwardly  in 
the  shape  of  cones.  A  section  made  through  the  ends  of 
these  seeds  shows  that  the  second  layer  is  considerably 
more  developed  and  there  are  evidences  here  of  an  indis- 
tinct layer  between  the  first  and  second.  The  layer  fol- 
lowing this  consists  of  thin  walled  parenchyma  cells,  in 
some  cases  considerably  elongated  but  in  others  short. 

The  third  layer  is  followed  by  the  endosperm  which 
consists  of  a  layer  of  rather  thick-walled  parenchyma 
cells.  These  carry  granular  protein  grains.  This  is  fol- 
lowed by  one  or  more  layers  of  elongated  cells,  in  which 
the  cell  cavity  is  very  much  reduced.  These  cells  reach 
their  highest  development  between  the  folds  of  the  cau- 
licle  and  cotyledon. 

The  Embryo  : — The  first  layer  of  cells  of  the  embryo 
are  smaller,  quite  uniform  in  size  and  filled  with  protein 
grains  and  oil. 

Lbpidium  apetalum,  Willd. 

Pod  a  line  and  a  quarter  to  a  line  and  a  half  long  smaller 
than  Large  Pepper  gras^,  slightly  notched  at  the  apex, 
minutely  pubescent. 

Seeds  pendulous,  light  brown,  very  slightly  roughened 
and  very  narrow  wing  margined.  Smaller  than  in  L. 
virginicum,  three  quarters  to  nearly  a  line  long.  Cauli- 
cle  extends  lengthwise,  with  a  prominent  ridge  as  in  L. 
virginicum,  with  a  sharp  groove  between  caulicle  and 
cotyledons,  the  latter  incumbent  and  flattened,  a  charac- 
ter which  easily  separates  the  species  from  the  Large 
Pepper  Grass. 

The  cuticle  forms  a  continuous  layer  over  the  epider- 
mal cells,  the  latter  are  larger  than  in  L.  virginicum.  On 
the  addition  of  water  the  cell  wall  rapidly  elongates, 
emitting  a  copious  mucilage,  the  cell-cavity  is  very  much 
reduced  but  longer  than  iu    L,  yirginicum.     It  is  sur- 


Digitized  by  VjOOQIC 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  273 

rounded  by  a  denser,  more  or  less  diflFerentiated,  part  of 
the  cell  wall  which  is  more  yellow  in  color  than  the 
remainder  of  the  cell-wall.  The  second  layer  is  of  a  yel- 
low straw  color  and  consists  of  very  minute  cells  with 
small  cell  cavities. 

The  cell  walls  of  the  third  layer  are  strongly  thickened 
brown  and  serve  the  same  purpose  as  in  the  other  species. 
The  endosperm  consists  of  thick  walled  parenchyma 
cells.  In  the  first  layer  of  cells  the  cell-walls  are  very 
much  larger  and  packed  with  protein  grains.  The  other 
layers  of  endosperm  consist  of  small  elongated  thick 
walled  cells  with  a  small  cell-cavity.  These  attain  their 
greatest  development  between  the  caulicle  and  cotyledon. 
In  the  embryo,  the  cells  of  the  first  row  are  isodiametric 
filled  with  protein  grains  and  oil.  The  outer  cells  are 
elongated,  larger,  and  also  densely  packed  with  the 
same  material. 

Capsblla  bursa-pastoris,  Mornch. 

Pods  two  to  three  lines  long,  two  to  two  and  a  half 
lines  wide  above,  some  of  the  European  specimens  with 
larger  pods,  many  seeded  (8-22),  seeds  light  brown,  one 
half  line  long,  nearly  one  fourth  line  in  width,  very  minu- 
tely roughened.  Caulicle  elongated  forming  a  ridge 
with  slight  depressions  between  it  and  the  cotyledons. 
The  latter  incumbent.  On  the  addition  of  water  the 
outer  seed  coat  becomes  mucilaginous. 

Microscopic  Structure. — The  seed  coats  attain  their 
maximum  development  in  the  region  of  the  caulicle. 
Cuticle  covers  the  epidermal  cells,  the  latter  tabular, 
compressed  but  on  the  addition  of  water  they  elongate, 
become  mucilaginous  and  show  stratification. 

The  second  and  third  layers  are  brown  with  thick  cell- 
walls.  Fourth  layer  consists  of  endosperm,  one  layer  of 
isodiametric  cells  filled  with  protein  grains,  followed  by 
thick  walled  cells  reaching  their  greatest  development 


Digitized  by 


Google 


214:  THB  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Sept 

between  the  cotyledon  and  caulicle.  First  row  of  cells 
of  embryo  nearly  ittodiametric,  filled  with  oil  and  protein 
grains.  Others  somewhat  larger  and  contain  the  same 
substances.  Cotyledons  incumbent.  Central  part  of 
of  caulicle  separated  from  the  rest.  Cells  of  caulicle 
very  much  larger  than  cells  of  cotyledons. 

Barbarba  vulgaris,  R.  Br. 

Pods  erect  or  slightly  spreading,  one  half  to  three 
quarters  of  an  inch  long,  somewhat  quadrangular.  Seeds 
blackish,  a  line  or  little  more  long,  a  single  row  in  each 
cell,  marginless.     Cotyledons  incumbent. 

First  layer  of  outer  seed  coat  not  well  developed,  cells 
elongated  in  the  direction  of  the  seed.  Cuticle  covers 
the  epidermal  cells.  On  addition  of  water  a  slight 
mucilaginous  modification  takes  place.  Second  layer 
with  thick  lateral  walls  and  quite  large  cell-cavities, 
colored  brown.  Third  layer  of  rather  thick- walled  paren- 
chyma cells  also  colored  brown,  followed  by  endosperm, 
an  is  usual  in  cruciferous  seeds. 

(To  be  continued.) 


The  Diagnosis  of  Malaria. 

By  ARTHUR  R.  EDWARDS,  M.  D., 

CHICAGO,  ILL. 

The  diagnosis  of  malaria,  like  its  pathogenesis,  has  a 
scientific  life  of  scarcely  two  decades.  The  subject  has 
been  roughly  handled  since  an  acquaintance  with  its 
microscopic  diagnostic  methods  has  reached  the  general 
profession  from  the  laboratories  of  scientific  biologists 
and  clinicians.  Positive  blood  findings,  i.  e.,  the  detec- 
tion of  the  Plasmodium  of  malaria,  establishes  the  fact  of 
malaria,  since  malaria  is  always  caused  by  the  parasite, 
and  again  the  organism  is  always  found  in  malaria  and 
in  malaria  only.     A  few   microscopic  examinations  will 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  275 

coDvince  the  greatest  skeptic.  It  must  not  be  forgotten 
that,  in  certain  instances,  two  diseases  may  occur  simul- 
taneously. We  have  seen  malaria  in  conjunction  with 
various  ancient  heart  lesions,  ulcerative  endocarditis, 
pulmonary  tuberculosis,  chronic  nephritis,  although 
never  with  typhoid  fever.  The  presence  of  malaria  Plas- 
modium makes  possible  positive  differentiation  from  other 
diseases  ;  e.  g.,  the  frequent  error  of  overlooking  or 
misinterpreting  an  incipient  pulmonary  tuberculosis 
attended  with  chills.  Negative  blood  findings,  in  suspec- 
ted malaria,  are  not  definitive  from  one  examination. 
Not  infrequently  is  more  than  one  microscopic  search 
necessary  for  the  positive  exclusion  of  malaria.  While 
suggestive,  then,  a  single  negative  finding  is  far  from 
conclusive.  The  parasites  may  be  indistinguishable  in 
the  first  few  days  of  the  disease.  In  certain  forms  they 
swarm  in  internal  organs,  avoiding  the  peripheral  circu- 
lation ;  and  lastly,  in  chronic  and  recurrent  types  they 
are  found  with  great  difficulty. 

Certain  deformities  in  the  red  blood  corpuscles  are 
often  mistaken  for  plasmodia,  e.  g.  crenations,  poilkilo- 
cytosis  and  vacuole  formation.  Not  only  can  the  more 
intimate  structure  of  the  red  blood  discs  retract,  simula- 
ting Plasmodia,  but  the  exterior  of  the  hemacyte  is  far 
more  plastic  than  is  eommonly  acknowledged,  even  to 
the  extent  of  protruding  pronounced  pseudopodia-like 
processes.  These  are  but  too  frequently  mistaken  for 
parasites,  being  found  in  very  many  instances  of  appar- 
ently  otherwise  normal  blood.  Vacuole  formations  are 
characterized  by  their  sharp  contour  and  high  luster. 

Melainferous  leucocytes  are  readily  distinguishable 
from  the  plasmodia  by  their  large  nuclei  and  by  their 
amoeboid  movement,  always  absent  in  adult  parasites  of 
equal  size.  Unstained  spores  may  be  confused  with  the 
blood  plaques,  which  are,  however,  structureless  and 
contain  no  pigment.    An  Austrian  podiatrist  lost  a  docent- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


276  f  HB  AMfilRtCAlJ  MONTHLY  [Sept 

ship  for  reporting,  as  malaria,  cases  whose  blood  prepara- 
tions afterward  proved  to  contain  only  blood  plates  and 
no  Plasmodia.  Coagalation  products  have  been  confused 
with  flagella.  Many  of  the  small  dots  seen  in  malaria 
which  resemble  micrococci  and  were  mistaken  for  such 
by  the  earlier  Italian  observers  are  similar  to  those 
found  in  most  anemias  and  described  by  Ehrlich  as 
degenerative  changes. 

Technique. — Complex  methods  of  staining  and  count- 
erstaining  the  parasite  have  been  in  vogue,  but  the  sim- 
plest and  most  accurate  is  the  direct  examination  of  the 
freshly-drawn  unstained  blood,  a  method  we  have  used 
with  entire  satisfaction  for  several  years.  In  this  pro- 
cedure injury  to  the  corpuscles  and  staining  o^  the  blood 
plaques  are  obviated. 

The  lobe  of  the  ear  is  cleansed,  picked,  and  a  quite  small 
drop  is  gently  expressed.  A  clean  cover  glass  is  held  in 
a  pair  of  forceps  to  avoid  the  heat  and  moisture  of  the 
hand,  and  is  carefully  brought  in  contact  with  the  top  of 
the  drop.  The  heat  and  moisture  of  the  hand  or  rudely 
placing  the  cover  against  the  drop  favor  imperfect  spread- 
ing from  precipitate  drying  of  parts  of  the  blood.  Rub- 
bing the  slide  well  facilitates  equable  spreading  of  the 
blood.  Examination  is  best  made  with  an  oil  one-twelfth 
inch  immersion  lens,  although  Laveran  used  lenses  of 
lower  magnification.  Permanent  preparations  are  pro- 
cured by  allowing  the  covers  to  dry,  to  remain  half  hour 
in  equal  parts  of  absolute  alcohol  and  ether  and  by  paint- 
ing with  filtered  eosin  and  methylene  blue.  The  use  of 
stains  is  not  usually  advisable,  since  they  obscure  the 
otherwise  more  brilliant  microscopical  findings,  they  act 
as  protoplasmic  poisons,  abolishing  both  the  amoeboid 
movement  of  the  parasite  and  the  highly  characteristic 
vibrations  of  its  pigment,  and  finally,  they  stain  the 
blood  plates  and  coagulation  produces,  therehy  confu- 
sing the  findings,  particularly  for  the  unwary  clinician. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18971  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  2V7 

The  Type. — Blood  examination^  however,  demonstrates 
not  merely  the  fact  of  malaria  but  also  its  types,  since 
the  various  clinical  forms  of  the  disease  correspond  to  300 
logically  distinct,  immutable  species  of  parasite.  Deter- 
mination of  species  embraces  more  than  purely  biologi- 
cal interest;  it  declares  also  the  prognosis,  as  in  the  per- 
nicious forms,  and  designates  the  treatment,  as  arsenic 
in  the  tropical  types.  Councilman  stated  several  years 
ago  that  in  intermittent  fever  the  parasite  was  seen 
within  the  red  blood  corpuscle,  while  in  remittent  fever 
or  in  malarial  cachexia  it  was  frequently  seen  without 
the  same  or  in  elongated  forms  and  crescents.  Crescents 
augur  relapse.  The  presence  of  segmentation  forms 
predict  an  imminent  or  incipient  paroxysm.  The  alleged 
detection  of  the  plasmodium  is  often  doubted  by  us, 
since  it  is  not  uncommon  to  hear  practitioners  state  that 
they  have  found  Laveran's  organisms,  an  error  at  least 
in  species  determination. 

In  general  terms,  the  number  of  parasites  found  in  the 
blood  corresponds  to  the  severity  of  the  attack,  although 
some  believe  the  large  spore-producing  bodies  remain 
largely  in  internal  bodies. 

Motility. — In  the  ordinary  tertian  parasite  there  is 
lively  amoeboid  movement  in  the  young  and  middle-aged 
forms.  In  the  quartan  form  there  is  slight  movement 
in  the  young  parasite.  In  the  aestivo-autumnal  type  it  is 
variable,  often  very  active. 

Pigment. — In  tertian  malaria  the  pigment  is  pale  and 
yellowish  brown,  is  fine,  and  in  the  young  forms  is  most 
active,  or  "swarming"  ;  it  accumulates  towards  the  peri- 
phery of  the  parasite,  in  the  pseudopodia  protrudes,  but 
in  the  older  forms  it  becomes  central.  The  pigment  is 
inversely  proportional  in  amount  to  the  amoeboid  move- 
ment, i.  e.,  the  more  pigment  the  less  the  amoeboid 
movement. 

In  the  quartan  the  pigment  is  coarse,  being  somewhat 


Digitized  by 


Google 


278  THE  AMBEICAN  MONTHLY  fSept 

larger  than  in  the  tertian,  irregular,  with  bat  little  if 
any  movement.  In  the  aestivo-aatnmnal  form  the  pig- 
ment is  active,  although  some  describe  it  as  slight,  at  first 
fine,  later  coarse,  even  rodlike. 

Size. — The  tertian  is  as  large  as  the  red  blood  disc, 
even  larger;  the  quartan  not  larger  than  the  red  corpus- 
cle, while  the  tropical  forms  are  much  smaller,  from  1-5 
to  i  the  size  of  the  hemacy  te. 

Protoplasm  op  the  Parasite. — In  the  tertian  it  is 
pale  and  indistinct;  in  the  quartan,  sharply  outlined,  and 
of  a  characteristically  high  index  of  refraction;  in  the 
autumnal  type  it  is  ringlike,  very  small,  hyaline,  and 
difScult  to  detect. 

Alteration  in  the  Red  Blood  Cells. — In  the  ter- 
tian the  red  blood  cells  hypertrophy,  and  are  rapidly 
and  completely  decolorized.  In  the  quartan  they  are 
but  little  decolorized,  may  be  darker  than  normal,  and  are 
not  essentially  altered  in  size,  although  the  corpuscle 
may  become  slightly  smaller  than  normal.  In  the  more 
pernicious  types  they  are  shrunken,  become  either  darker, 
of  '^brasdy"  color,  or  completely  decolorized,  **shadow- 
like." 

Spoeulation  form. — In  the  tertian  the  spores  are  more 
or  less  irregularly  grouped,  individually  small,  round, 
whose  nucleolus  is  seldom  seen  in  unstained  specimens, 
numbering  15  to  20  or  somewhat  less.  The  segmenting 
forms  are  about  the  size  of  a  red  disc,  and  are  of  irregu- 
lar form.  The  segmenting  bodies  are  found  in  the  peri- 
pheral blood  rarely,  or  in  small  numbers  only,  except  at 
the  time  of  a  paroxysm.  In  quartan  malaria  the  spores 
exist  in  the  margarite  form,  spores  being  individually 
long,  with  distinct  nucleolus,  6-12  in  number.  The  seg- 
menting forms  are  smaller  than  a  red  blood  corpuscle,  of 
a  rosette  form,  are  found  in  equal  numbers  in  the  peri- 
pheral and  visceral  circulations,  and  may  be  detected  in 
the  apyretic  interval  as  well  as  in  the  paroxysms.  In  the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  279 

aestivo-autumnal  types  the  spores  are  irregularly  formed 
or  stellate,  six  to  eight  in  number,  possibly  more,  and 
segmentation  occurs  chiefly  in  internal  organs. 

Crescents  and  Flaqblla. — The  crescents  are  found 
only  in  the  aestivo-autumnal  forms,  and  represent  a  very 
resistant  form  of  the  organism.  They  may  exist  for 
months  at  a  time  withoutfever  or  other  symptoms.  They 
may  be  converted  into  round  bodies,  from  which  flagella- 
tion is  frequently  observed.  We  have  not  seen  crescents 
apart  from  extreme  anemia.  Persisting  as  they  do  we 
can  scarcely  consider  them  solely  as  degenerate  forms  ; 
they  impress  us  rather  as  resting  stages.  Flagella  may 
be  found  in  any  type,  though  not  frequently  in  quartan 
fevers.  They  may  be  seen  when  quinine  has  been  pre- 
viously given,  and  have  been  considered  by  some  as 
degenerate  forms.  They  are  but  rarely  seen  in  freshly 
shed  blood,  but  we  have  seldom  missed  them  when  exam- 
ining a  specimen  for  a  long  period,  e.  g.  in  clinic  demon- 
strations. 

Individual  Symptoms. — The  diagnosis  of  individual  or 
isolated  cases  is  most  intimately  linked  with  the  diagno- 
sis by  blood  examination.  Certain  malarial  symptoms 
are  not  only  immediate  sequences  of  the  malaria)  infec- 
tion but  are  also  most  beautifully  explained  by  the  life 
cycle,  life  activity  and  metabolism  of  the  organism. 

The  melanemia  corresponds  with  the  structural  disin- 
tegration of  the  hemoglobin  of  the  red  blood  cells  and  its 
diffusion  through  the  blood  plasma.  The  anemia  is 
secondary  to  reduction  of  the  hemoglobin  and  diminution 
of  the  number  of  red  blood  corpuscles;  in  other  words,  to 
morphological  hemodyscrasia.  No  leucocytosis  is  seen, 
save  a  transient  apparent  increase  at  the  beginning  of 
the  paroxysm.  The  hemoglobin  and  red  discs  are  des- 
troyed in  equal  degree.  The  anemia  is  rapidly  produced; 
in  fact,  corpuscular  deglobulization  is  more  rapid  than  in 


Digitized  by 


Google 


280  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Sept 

any  other  acute  affection,  and  can  be  atilized  to  differen- 
tiate from  pneumonia  or  typhoid  fever. 

Each  paroxysm  being  the  ripening  of  a  new  generation 
of  parasites,  the  fever  corresponds  to  their  sporulation 
and  a  saturation  of* the  blood  with  toxines  liberated  from 
the  red  blood  cells.  It  is  a  chemical  hemodyscrasia,  or, 
as  Manuaberg  aptly  puts  it,  a  "protozoan  sepsis,"  anala- 
gous  to  that  discharge  into  the  blood  Rteam  of  infective 
material  observed  in  septico-pyemia. 

We  fully  comprehend  any  clinical  form  of  fever,  when 
we  realize  that  the  fever  is  a  toxic  manifestation  and 
that  as  often  as  the  parasites  segment,  fever  occurs. 
Hence  two  generations  of  tertian  parasites  cause  quoti- 
dian fever,  also  caused  by  three  generations  of  quartan 
parasites  of  unequal  age.  Quotidian  continued  fever 
accompanied  by  splenic  tumor,  the  diazo-reaction,  and 
even  roseol©  or  slow  pulse,  may  cause  difficulty  in  diag- 
nosis from  typhoid  fever,  especially  as  typhoid  may  be 
attended  with  chills  and  sweats.  The  blood  examination 
speedily  differentiates  and  Widal's  serum  test  for  typhoid 
is  of  grrat  aid.  The  splentic  tumor  and  bone  pains  are 
explained  by  the  phagocytic  process  in  their  substance, 
the  hemoglobinuria,  diarrhea,  retinae  and  other  hemor- 
ahages  by  the  toxemia,  the  cerebral  symptoms,  as  coma, 
convulsions  or  bulbar  symptoms,  by  aggregations  of  the 
parasite  in  the  cerebral  vessels  with  thrombosis. 


Casts  of  Bacillaria  from  the  London  Clay. 

By  ARTHUR  M.  EDWARDS,  M.  D., 

NEWARK,  N.  J. 

The  L  )ndon  clay  is  lower  Eocene  resting  on  the  Cre- 
taceous II  nd  is  below  the  Miocene  Tertiary.  The  Eocene 
has  not  been  examined  in  this  and  other  countries  for 
the  diatoms  in  it  but  they  are  probably  there. 

Mr.  W.  S.  Schrubsole  sent  me  some  specimens  from  the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICaOSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  281 

London  clay.  It  is  from  beneath  the  Red  Crag  which  is 
called  the  older  Pliocene.  There  is  no  Miocene,  which 
belongs  between  these,  and  we  expect  to  find  the  diatoms 
very  different.  The  forms  that  exist  in  the  Pliocene  are 
about  the  same  that  grow  now.  The  Pliocene  diatoms 
of  England  have  not  been  studied.  Some  Pliocene  are 
enumerated  in  a  paper  on  the  Diatomaceous  deposit  of 
the  mud  of  Milford  Haven  and  other  localities,  by  Fitz- 
maurice  Okeden,  in  Vol.  Ill,  1855.  The  celebrated 
Glenshira  sand  which  is  described  in  the  same  volume  is 
most  likely  correlative  with  the  Champlain  clay,  the 
Raised  Coast  Period  of  our  shores,  judging  from  the  dia- 
toms in  it. 

The  London  clay  consists  of  a  brown  or  bluish  grey 
clay,  containing  layers  of  concretions  called  septaria, — 
''flattened  nodules  of  calcareous  clay,  iron  stone  or  other 
matter,  internally  divided  into  numerous  angular  com- 
partments by  articulating  fissues  which  are  usually  filled 
with  calcareous  spar  and  show  well  against  the  darker 
matrix  of  the  nodule."  Now  that  we  know  something 
about  the  power  of  calcareous  matter  to  replace  siliceous 
in  organisms,  for  which  we  are  indebted  to  the  researches 
of  Sollas,  Hinde,  Zittel,  Hill  and  Jukes-Browne,  we  can 
reason  as  to  what  septaria  are  or  were.  Most  likely  they 
were  siliceous  sponges.  One  author  thinks  tliat  "the 
reticulating  fissues  or  septa  (hence  septaria)  seem  to  have 
arisen  from  shrinkage  of  the  mass  while  in  tlio  act  of 
consolidation,  and  to  have  been  subsequently  filled  by 
infiltration.  Such  argilaceous,  calcareous,  and  ferrugin- 
ous nodules  are  common  in  many  clays  and  mails,  as  in 
the  shale  of  the  coal  formations,  in  the  Oxford  chiy,  in  the 
London  and  Barton  clays.  They  are  often  arranged  in 
lines  and  bands;  are  always  more  or  less  flattened;  gen- 
erally oontain  some  central  organic  nucleus  round  which 
the  matter  has  aggregated,  such  as  a  leaf,  scale,  coprolite 
or  the  like ;  and  when  split  up  in  the  direction  of  the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


282  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Sept 

stratification,  frequently  exhibit  very  curiously  marked 
sections.  Hence  the  names;  beetle  stones,  turtle  stones, 
Ludi  helmontii  and  the  like.  The  fossil  species  of  the 
Island  of  Sheppy  indicate  a  much  more  tropical  climate 
than  the  Eocene  flora  of  Prance.  The  coast  was  sunk 
lower  then  and  was  warmer.  The  larger  fossils  are  more 
tropical  and  the  Bacillaria  are  more  tropical.  We  find 
specimens  of  Arachnoidiscus  there.  It  is  comparatively 
a  scarce  form  in  that  region.  One  specimen  has  been 
seen  in  England  and  one  in  Ireland.  It  is  common  in 
the  Pacific  states  being  brought  to  that  coast  by  the  Kura- 
Sigra  or  Janauss  current  from  Japan  where  it  is  com- 
mon also. 

Cleaning  the  London  clay  carefully  and  viewing  it  by 
means  of  the  microscope  transparently,  it  is  seen  to  con- 
tain sparsely  certain  discs  that  are  black;  and  looking 
them  over  some  will  be  seen  semi-transparent  and  so 
fashioned  as  to  show  that  they  are  diatoms.  They  were 
first  Coscinodiscus  asteromphalus, —  little  discs  with 
hexagonal  markings  all  over  them.  The  London  clay 
diatoms  show  the  structure  much  more  clearly  than  can 
usually  be  seen  in  transparent  specimens.  The  cell  mem- 
brane, which  is  colloid  silica  is  removed  and  an  internal 
cast  of  the  cells  shown.  When  they  are  viewed  by  front 
view  they  are  seen  to  be  curved  outward  on  the  interior 
and  exterior,  which  is  to  say  they  are  almost  spherical. 
The  specimen  looks  as  if  the  disc  consisted  of  a  series  of 
spherical  balls  set  along  side  of  one  another.  The  mater- 
ial of  which  the  black  substance  is  composed  is  pyrite 
iron  pyrites  or  sulphide  of  iron,  formed  by  iron  sulphate 
in  the  salt  water  in  which  the  diatoms  occurred  acting  on 
the  organic  matter  of  the  diatoms,  the  protoplasm,  which 
was  decomposed,  the  oxygen  being  set  free  and  the  iron 
and  sulphur  thrown  down  as  sulphide  of  iron.  The  dia- 
toms can  be  seen  when  viewed  with  reflected  light  to  be 
glistening,  almost  gold-colored,  particles.     A  ring  look- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICEOSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  283 

ing  like  diatoms  is  seen  which  is  most  likely  Melosira 
sulcata  though  the  diatoms  are  in  a  stage  that  their  spe- 
cific nature  cannot  be  made  out  clearly.  There  is  also 
the  Coscinodiscus,  a  cast  of  a  Triceratium  but  the  species 
is  in  distinguishableas  the  cast  is  opaque,  lignite  or  pyrite. 
There  is  also  a  silicious  shell  of  Stephonopyxis  turris. 
The  Triceratium  looks  like  a  cast  of  T.  undulatam  and 
perhaps  should  be  placed  there.  Sometimes  the  change 
has  taken  place  in  the  sileceous  shells  themselves.  In 
that  case  the  casts  look  like  diatoms.  Instead  of  being 
transparent  they  are  made  up  of  dark  substance,  lignite 
or  pyrite,  and  the  cavity  with  the  lorica  is  not  marked 
at  all. 

As  Bacillaria  are  in  the  London  clay  and  it  is  marine 
also  we  can  carry  the  Bacillaria  down  to  the  lower  Eocene 
in  Geologic  time. 


Notes  on  Formalin. 

By  GEO.  S.  LIGGETT,  M.  D., 

OSWEGO,   KANS. 

Every  microscopist  should  have  some  formalin  on  hiH 
work-table,  especially  the  physician  who  uses  a  micro- 
scope. It  will  preserve  specimens  indefinitely  and  will 
harden  a  specimen  so  that  an  expert  can  make  sections 
without  any  other  preparation.  I  believe  it  will  prove 
to  be  the  most  excellent  preservative  we  have  ever  hjid. 
There  is  much  tolearn  about  it  however. 

Over  a  year  ago  I  had  a  case  of  acute  Hematuria.  The 
urine  seemed  all  blood.  I  had  an  eight-ounce  specimen. 
After  examining  it  and  in  order  to  keep  it  from  decay  I 
added  some  formalin.  Next  day  I  was  surprised  to  find 
it  coagulated.  It  has  remained  in  that  condition  ever 
siDce.  The  bottle  is  nearly  filled  with  a  soft  and  dirty 
greyish  coagula.  In  the  bottom  there  is  about  an  inch 
of  a  very  hard  and  d^rk  coagula.     Examination  of  it  now 


Digitized  by 


Google 


284  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Sept 

shows  in  the  soft  coagula,  red  blood  cells  that  look  nor- 
mal. I  thrust  a  tube  into  the  hard  coagulaand  obtained 
a  piece  from  which  sections  could  be  cut.  It  is  a  mass 
of  blood  cells.  A  few  of  them  are  normal  in  size  and 
shape.  The  most  of  them  are  contracted  and  round  and 
cupped.  I  have  stained  and  mounted  specimens  that  have 
been  kept  so  long. 

Not  long  ago  when  using  some  formalin  that  hadbeeu 
left  in  an  open  dish  for  several  days,  I  noticed  that  there 
was  a  number  of  dead  flies  around.  I  wish  some  one 
who  has  had  experience  in  using  the  vapor  as  a  disinfec- 
tant by  burning  in  these  new  lamps,  would  observe  and 
report  whether  it  will  kill  flies.  To  test  the  question 
further  myself  I  put  some  formalin  in  a  saucer-like  dish, 
in  which  I  had  melted  some  paraffin  and  in  which  was 
quite  a  good  deal  of  the  paraffin  remaining.  I  did  not 
find  many  dead  flies  but  I  noticed  another  peculiarity  of 
its  action  that  may  prove  useful  to  some  one  who  knows 
how  to  take  advantage  of  it.  I  found  the  paraffin 
changed  into  a  white  friable  powder.  I  heated  some  of  it 
and  found  that  it  gave  oflF  fumes  of  formalin  in  great 
quantity.     It  will  not  melt  like  normal  paraffin. 


Bacteriological  Researhecs  Regarding  an  Epidemic  of  Horses 
now  Prevelent  in  Canada. 

By  Db.  BENOIT,  and  Dr.  PARIFEAU. 

Some  researches  are  being  carried  on  in  the  laboratories 
of  the  hospital  of  Notre  Dame  regarding  the  nature  of 
a  contageous  epidemic  which  is  now  prevaling  among 
horses.  The  legs  of  the  sick  horses  are  covered  with 
fistules  which  give  birth,  to  an  infectious  suppuration. 

The  grooms  who  have  to  dress  the  sores  of  the  sick 
animals  are  nearly  all  attacked  on  the  arm  or  on  the 
hands  with  an  ulcer  of  innoculation,  followed  by  ganglions 
pains  and  hypertrophies  in  the  small  of  the  arms  and  in 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  285 

tbe  arm-pits.  At  the  same  time  they  show  all  the  signs 
of  a  light  general  infection, — headache,  insomnia,  fever, 
chilliness  and  loss  of  appetite.  It  is  stated  that  the  horses 
are  cured  in  about  twelve  days  and  they  have  no  discharge 
from  the  nose  neither  any  signs  of  pulmonary  aflfection. 
Yet  this  disease  was  credited  for  some  time  to  farcin  for 
the  examination  of  diflFerent  specimens  of  pus  from  dif- 
ferent horses,  taken  with  precaution  in  sterilized  pipettes 
have  shown,  under  the  microscope,  the  bacillus  short, 
in  little  chains,  in  a  clean  space,  characteristic  of  the 
glanders.  But  cultures  upon  gelatine  and  boulion  give 
only  "staphylocoques  dores  purs."  It  is  a  question 
then  what  this  horse  epidemic  is. 


The  Physician  and  his  Microscope. 

By  a.  a.  young,  M.  D., 

NKVVARK     N.    Y. 

One  of  the  most  expensive  and  one  of  the  most  useless 
pieces  of  office  furniture  that  the  ordinary  physician  pos- 
sesesib  his  microscope.  It  usually  occupies  a  most  com- 
manding and  conspicuous  place  in  the  office  and  decora- 
led  with  *'fuss  and  feathers;"  valueless  as  an  educator, 
valuable  for  the  macroscopicnl  appearances  of  the  micro- 
scope, fo.r  it  is  capable  of  producing  wonder  and  awe  to 
the  office  visitor  and  shekels  to  the  pocket  of  the  physician. 

Nothing  can  be  said  against  the  microscope  as  an 
instrument,  for  its  value  resides  in  its  intelligent  use, 
and  unless  used  intelligently  it  becomes  worse  than  use- 
less, distorting  facts  and  fancies  alike,  from  which  the 
observer  can  form  no  concept,  can  draw  no  conclusion 
save  an  erroneous  one.  The  physician  has  to  deal  with 
the  organic  world,  with  those  material  forms  in  which 
resides  that  peculiar,  unresolvable  and  unknowable  agent 
we  call  life,  and  without  which  matter  becomes  «ompara- 
tively  valueless. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


286  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Sept 

The  microscope  in  the  department  of  medicine  requires 
for  its  intelligent  manipulation  a  familiarity  with  anatomy, 
pathology,  bacteriology,  and  last,  but  not  least,  biology, 
which  subject  scarcely  ever  enters  into  a  medical  college 
curriculum.  We,  as  physicians,  must  deal  with  material 
forms  that  are  endowed  with  life,  and  of  that  relation 
which  exists  between  the  material  form  and  life  we  must 
have  some  concept,  though  it  be  partial  and  inadequate, 
for  on  the  relation  of  things  material  or  immaterial  is 
the  development  of  human  thought  possible.  The  life 
force  of  the  bacillus  is  doubtless  as  intricate  as  the  life 
force  of  the  human  subject  and  may  be  similar  if  not 
identical  with  it ;  for  what  is  the  body  in  which  the  ego 
resides  more  than  an  aggregation  of  araebw  specialized, 
and  each  ameba  possibly  having  an  independent  life  and 
having  reproductive  properties  of  its  own.  It  is  with 
the  minute  mass  of  matter,  not  the  molecule,  that  the 
microscopist  has  to  deal ;  he  sees  its  manner  and  method 
of  growth  and  not  the  forces  which  produce  the  molecular 
arrangement  of  the  ultimate  particles. 

It  is  not  enough  that  the  physician  be  able  to  observe 
and  diflferentiate  the  various  forms  of  the  micrococcus, 
spirillum  or  bacillus  :  he  must  know  as  well  the  habitat, 
manner  and  method  of  growth  of  each  variety.  Without 
this  knowledge  the  revelations  of  the  microscope  are  no 
more  intelligible  than  some  Egyptian  inscriptions.  There 
is  a  philosophy  of  microscopy  which  is  equally  as  valuable 
as  the  facts  on  which  it  is  based,  but  a  philosophy  that 
can  only  be  developed  by  accurate  observation  and  classi- 
fication of  microscopical  data.  This  work,  it  is  evident 
must  be  performed  by  the  skilled  microscopist  and  not 
by  the  novice,  in  which  class  the  busy  practitioner  is 
usually  found.  In  microscopical  analysis  no  element 
relative  to  accuracy  can  with  safety  be  omitted.  It 
matters  not  though  the  microscopical  accessoriei>  be 
thoroughly  cleansed  and  sterilized,  for  the  results  would 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  287 

be  equally  untrustworthy  if  the  material  to  be  examined 
be  placed  in  a  receptacle,  found  perhaps  in  some  old 
garr<it  and  half  cleansed.  Conclusions  reached  under 
such  conditions  must  be  erroneous.  Do  you  ask  who 
ever  allows  such  procedures  ?  Go  to  the  home  of  the 
amateur  or  psteudo-microscopist,  observe  his  methods  and 
technique  and  you  will  have  the  answer.  It  is  surpris- 
ing how  much  we  see,  how  much  we  assume  and  how 
little  we  know.  A  young  physician  asks  an  older 
one  for  the  use  of  his  microscope  to  examine  a  specimen 
of  urine,  assuring  its  owner  that  he  is  familiar  with  the 
instrument,  having  had  instruction  in  college;  permis- 
sion granted,  and  slide  prepared,  and  the  observer 
exclaims,  "The  most  beautifui  specimen  of  a  cast  I  have 
ever  seen;"  the  owner  of  the  instrument  says, ''That 
looks  like  vegetable  matter  and  not  a  cast,*'  "No,"  said 
the  other,  "that  is  a  urinary  cast;  I  have  seen  many  of 
them.*'  A  microscopical  examination  of  the  container 
and  its  contents  revealed  a  corncob  for  a  cork;  what  the 
cast  was  yoa  may  readily  infer. 

A  physician  of  several  years'  standing  and  the  posses- 
sor of  a  good  microscope  at  an  autopsy  of  his  announced 
thai  the  patient's  death  was  due  to  a  disease  of  the  kid- 
neys, that  she  had  been  passing  blood,  pus,  all  forms  of 
casts  and  other  bad  material  with  the  urine.  The  autopsy, 
however,  revealed  ulceration  with  pus  formation,  degen- 
eration and  rupture  of  the  gall-bladder,  produced  by 
impacted  gall-stones,  while  the  kidneys  were  practically 
normal,  showing  no  structural  degeneration.  From 
whence,  then,  came  the  blood,  pus,  casts  and  debris, 
whieli  was  alleged  to  have  been  seen  ?  These  cases 
ciiuhl  have  been  none  other  than  of  mistaken  identity ; 
something  was  inferred  that  did  not  exist. 

The  conclusion  in  therefore  reached,  justly  or  otherwise, 
that  the  eye  and  understanding  must  be  educated  inclo- 
peudently  along  certain  lines  before  the  manin  il aiiou  of 


Digitized  by 


Google 


288  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Sept 

the  microscope  becomes  satisfactory  and  trustworthy; 
objects  must  be  seen  and  known  relatively  and  in  their 
entirety  before  being  resolved  into  their  component  ele- 
ments: the  macroscopical  appearance  of  an  object  must 
precede  its  microscopical  appearance. 

The  physician  must  know  in  what  menstruum  and 
under  what  conditions  the  objects  for  which  he  is  search- 
ing exists  or  are  developed.  Neither  is  it  enough  for 
him  to  know  and  recognise  the  various  forms  of  bacilli ; 
he  must  be  able  to  cL'issify  them  and  know  their  manner 
and  method  of  growth,  what  they  produce  by  their 
growth  and  what  influence  they  have  upon  humanity. 
This  is  the  philosophy  of  microscopy  as  relates  to  medi- 
cal science.  The  microscope  therefore  becomes  to  the 
physician  valuable  in  the  degree  that  he  is  able  to  classify 
and  arrange  its  revelations  so  that  they  may  be  read  as 
from  an  open  book.  This  faculty  means  a  familiarity 
with  the  instrument  born  of  time, — time  which  the 
"country  doctor'*  must  give  by  piecemeal,  if  at  all. 

I  am  no  pessimist,  although  I  see  in  a  degree  the  pass- 
ing of  the  microscope  so  far  as  it  relates  to  the  individ- 
ual work  of  the  ordinary  medical  practioner.  As  already 
intimated,  this  passing  is  induced  and  sustained  by 
unskilled  and  untrained  eyes,  which  see  much  and  indi- 
vidualize little. 

The  structure  of  microscopy,  if  it  be  enduring,  must 
be  built  upon  a  comparatively  errorless  macroscopy.  The 
rank  and  file  still  have  to  learn  that  the  microscope  only 
enables  the  investigator  tv  continue  his  eyesight  so  as  to 
observe  the  primary  structure  of  an  organised  mass  that 
would  otherwise  remain  unknown  and  unknowable. 

The  first  essential,  then,  for  a  physician  microscopist 
is  the  proper  use  of  his  eyes,  supplemented  by  a  keen 
intellect;  what  he  sees  he  must  be  able  to  describe 
accurately,  thus  differentiating  the  various  forms  and  fig- 
ures that  appear  in  the  visual  field. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18971  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  289 

Neither  is  it  enough  for  him  to  recognise  an  object  in 
an  isolated  condition  and  know  its  form  and  constraction  : 
he  must  know  as  well  what  relation  it  sustains  to  other 
objects  about  it.  This  calls  for  the  wise  exercise  of  the 
comparative  faculty,  the  second  essential  for  the  physi- 
cian microscopist ;  indeed,  these  two  elements  may  be 
called  his  eyes.  With  these  faculties  undeveloped, 
untrained,  he  may  as  well'be  a  blind  microscopist.  What 
is  true  of  normal  vision  is  pre-eminently  true  of  iiided 
vision,  which  aid  the  microscope  is,  but  it  produces 
changes  also  in  the  relative  conditions  of  objects,  and  of 
such  changes  the  mind  must  take  cognisance ;  it  is  an 
element  too  often  overlooked.  In  short,  the  revelations 
of  the  microscope  become  the  alphabet  and  the  system- 
atic arrangement  of  these  revelations  in  the  human  mind 
fo'rms  its  language,  a  language  that  requires  study  to 
comprehend ;  a  language  also  that  needs  much  further 
development  and  amplification.  Physicians,  as  a  rule, 
can  be  novices  only  in  microscopical  science,  following 
where  others  lead ;  they  stand  at  your  feet,  at  the  feet  of 
the  raicroscopists  of  the  world,  in  the  relation  of  pupil  to 
teacher,  asking  for  more  light  to  illuminate  the  intrica- 
cies of  human  existence. 

Give  to  them  this  light ;  save  for  them  the  microscope 
with  all  of  its  powers  and  possibilities  which  are  vast ; 
prevent  it  by  your  efforts  from  relapsing  into  a  state  of 
"innocuous  desuetude." 


Notes  on  Technique. 

By  PIERRE  A.  FISH,  D.  Sc, 

CORNELL  UNIVERSITY,    ITHACA,  N.  Y. 

In  many  of  the  modern  articles,  the  methods  by  which 
certain  pathological  structures  are  demonstrated,  if  men- 
tioned at  all,  are  frequently  so  meager  in  the  description 
of  important  details  as  to  be  practically  useless  to  many 


Digitized  by 


Google 


290  f  lifi  AMERICAIJ  MONTHLY  [Sept 

workers,  unless  a  certain  amount  of  their  time  is  devoted 
to  experimentation.  A  person,  who  has  obtained  fairly 
PUQcessful  results  with  his  older  methods,  is  loath  to  for- 
sake them,  especially  if  his  first  few  attempts  with  the 
new  are  failures.  Bach  investigator  may  have  certain 
laboratory  conveniences  ;  reagents  of  the  best  quality  and 
dyes  that  have  been  well  tested,  all  of  which  will  enable 
him  to  obtain  results  much  superior  to  his  less  fortunate 
colleague.  It  is  diflBcult,  therefore,  to  work  successfully 
unless  details  are  carefully  attended  to,  and  the  reasons 
for  the  various  steps  understood.  The  methods  following 
have  been  well  tested,  and  have  been  attended  with  uni- 
formly good  results,  which  in  some  cases,  it  is  believed, 
would  have  ended  in  failure  with  the  older  methods. 

FIXATION. 

The  fixation  of  pathological  tissues,  with  strong  alcohol 
for  histological  study,  is  very  commonly  employed  for 
the  double  purpose  of  killing  at  once  any  microorganism 
that  may  be  present  and  at  the  same  time  to  preserve 
the  structure  of  the  part.  With  many  tissues  this 
caused  a  too  rapid  withdrawal  of  the  contained  water  or 
lymph,  so  that  the  specimen  becomes  hard  and  gives 
unsatisfactory  results  when  it  comes  to  the  cutting  pro- 
cess. 

Some  experiments  with  diflFerent  reagents,  upon  known 
pathological  material,  were  of  service  in  formulating  a 
mixture,  which  obviated  the  defects  of  strong  alcohol 
when  used  alone.  This  mixture,  while  quickly  killing 
the  bacteria,  also  preserves  most  faithfully  the  histologi- 
cal structure.  Various  solutions  of  formalin,  including 
the  undiluted,  were  employed,  and  gave  good  results, 
particularly  the  presentation  of  the  bacteria,  after  the 
usual  staining  methods.  The  tissues  were  more  or  less 
swollen  by  the  weaker  solutions,  in  marked  contrast  to 
the  contraction  caused  by  alcohol.     Various  combinations 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  291 

of  formalin  with  alcohol  were  also  tried,  and  that  which 
seemed  to  be  most  completely  satisfactory  for  quick  pen- 
etration and   convenience,   bacteriologically  and  histo-  < 
logically,  was  as  follows : 

95  per  cent  alcohol 100  parts. 

Commercial  formalm  (40  per  cent  formic  aldehyde).    10  psrtd. 

Pieces  of  tissue,  i  centimeter  square,  are  well  fixed  in 
from  twelve  to  twenty-four  hours,  after  which  it  is  well 
to  leave  for  a  few  hours  in  96  per  cent  alcohol  before 
clarifying  for  the  paraffin  bath.  Specimens,  transferred 
directly  from  the  fixing  mixture,  have  been  clarified  in 
chloroform  or  cedar  oil,  but  it  requires  a  longer  time. 

The  addition  of  the  formalin  is  advantageous,  because 
in  a  way  it  brings  about  a  state  of  equilibrium.  The 
alcohol  alone  shrinks  the  tissue  while  on  the  other  hand 
formalin  swells  it,  so  that  in  this  respect  the  one  reacts 
against  the  other. 

ADHESION  TO  THE  SLIDE. 

After  the  infiltration  and  imbedding  of  the  tissue  in 
paraffin,  the  question  of  the  treatment  of  the  sections  is 
one  of  some  importance.  If  they  are  to  be  carried 
through  a  series  of  reagents  in  watch  glasses,  and  not 
placed  upon  the  slide  until  they  are  mounted,  the  sec- 
tions must  necessarily  be  rather  thick,  in  order  to  with 
stand  the  manipulation.  Very  much  thinner  sections,  if 
adherent  to  the  slide,  and  consequently  supported  by  it, 
can  be  carried  through  the  different  steps  of  the  process 
without  injury,  and  show  the  structural  elements  to  much 
better  advantage. 

The  albumen  or  collodion  adhesive,  usually  employed 
for  this  purpose,  however,  possesses  the  disadvantage  of 
taking  the  aniline  colors  used  in  bacteriology;  sufficiently 
to  disfigure  the  preparations.  If  a  clean  slide  be  coated 
with  a  thin  film  of  glycerine  and  then  rubbed  very  nearly 
dry  with  a  cloth  or  the  hand,  and  a  drop  or  two  of  35  per 


Digitized  by 


Google 


^92  THE  AMERIOAN  MONTHLY  [S^Pt 

cent  alcohol  be  placed  apou  it,  the  section,  if  curled,  will 
tend  to  flatten  itself  when  placed  on  the  alcohol.  If  the 
slide  now  be  placed  in  a  thermostat  for  a  few  hours,  at  a 
t^.mperature  near  the  melting'point  of  paraflBn,  the  heat 
will  cause  any  wrinkles  or  irregularities  of  the  section  to 
disappear;  the  alcohol  slowly  evaporates  and  when  the 
slide  is  thoroughly  dry  the  albumen  molecules  of  th<*  tis- 
sue adhere  quite  firmly  to  the  slide,  as  noted  by  Gaule. 
After  this  the  slide  may  be  heated  gently  over  a  flame 
until  the  paraffin  begins  to  melt.  If  any  moisture  remains 
the  section  will  be  quite  likely  to  loosen  during  the  latter 
stages.  Thick  sections  tio  not  adhere  so  firmly  as  ih.u 
ones.  The  slides  may  then  be  immersed  in  a  jar  of  tur- 
pentine or  any  solvent  of  paraflSn  and  carried  through 
the  various  grades  of  alcohol  to  water. 

A  shorter  method,  in  which  there  is  as  firm  adhesiou 
of  the  section  to  the  slide,  is  to  bring  the  slide  incontvut 
with  aniline  oil  for  a  few  minutes  after  the  treatment  with 
the  turpentine,  absorbing  the  superfluous  turpentine  with 
filter  paper.  The  aniline  oil  is  also  removed  by  means 
of  filter  paper.  The  section  is  then  thoroughly  washed  in 
diHtilled  water  which  removes  the  oil,  and  the  tissue  is 
then  stained  and  washed  in  water.  If  aniline  stains  are 
used,  a  hurried  rinsing  is  sufficient.  Drain  or  absorbe  the 
water  and  again  apply  the  aniline  oil.  Besides  clearing 
the  section  the  oil  tends  to  remove  the  aniline  stain  and 
care  must  be  exercised  in  not  letting  this  process  go  too 
far.  Displace  the  aniline  oil  with  xylol  and  mount  in 
balsam.  The  color  ought  not  to  fade  if  the  aniline  oil 
has  been  thoroughly  removed. 

With  certain  stains,  or  combinations  of  them,  the  ani- 
line oil  may  not  succee^  in  preserving  the  sharp  defini- 
tion of  the  color.  Under  such  conditions  the  section, 
after  staining,  may  be  treated  directly  with  absolute 
alcohol  to  dehydrate  and  remove  any  superfluous  stain. 
Some  aniline  dyes  are  not  as  soluble  in  absolute  alcohol 


Digitized  by 


Google 


189*7]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  293 

as  in  the  weaker  grades.     Clear  in  xylol   and  mount  in 
balsam. 

The  use  of  aniline  oil  in  the  treatment  of  the  sections 
will  be  recognised  as  as  having  been  recommended  by 
Weigert  for  bacterial  purposes.  It  likewise  gives  most 
excellent  results  in  ordinary  histological  work  and  is  a 
saving  of  time  and  material. 

MOUNTING. 

Many  valuable  specimens  are  ruined  for  the  want  of 
sufficient  precaution  in  the  preparation  of  the  balsam.  In 
its  commercial  state  it  contains  many  volatile  principles 
and  traces  of  acids,  which,  in  the  course  of  time,  act  upon 
the  specimen  and  diminishes  or  entirely  removes  the  color. 
All  this  may  be  lessened,  if  the  balsam  be  heated  suffici- 
ently to  drive  off  the  volatile  constituents,  or  more 
thoroughly  obviated  if  a  little  potassium  carbonate  or 
mild  alkali  be  added  to  neutralize  the  acid  just  before 
the  balsam  is  heated.  When  the  balsam  becomes  hard 
it  can  be  broken  into  flakes  and  stored.  When  wanted 
for  use  dissolve  in  xylol  to  the  desired  consistency  and 
filter  through  absorbent  cotton.  Specimens  stained  with 
the  Biondi-Ehrlich  mixture  (which  fades  so  easily)  have 
at  the  end  of  a  year  shown  no  signs  of  losing  their  pris- 
tine clearness.     Trans,  A,  M.  8. 


EDITORUL. 


Powders  Identified  by  Pollen. — The  Jour,  of  Pharma- 
cology contains  an  interesting  paper,  by  Mr.  Chas.  Pfister, 
on  the  pollen  of  some  officinal  herbs,  his  inquiry  having 
been  undertaken  with  the  view  of  determining  whether 
the  powdered  drugs  could  be  recognized  by  means  of  any 
pollen  which  they  may  contain.  Mr.  Poster's  conclusion 
is  that  they  can,  and  he  submits  figures  and  descriptions 
which  corroborate  his  statement.  Thus  the  pollen  of 
horehound  is  squarish  oblong,  green  and  smooth  ;  that  of 


Digitized  by 


Google 


294  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Sept 

worm-wood  smooth,  elliptical,  and  yellowish,  some  grains 
resembling  a  three-leaved  clover.  Mr.  Pfister's  notes  do 
not  profess  to  be  exhaustive,  but  they  are  sugfgfestive,and 
are  worth  following-  up.  He  mounted  the  pollen  in  sweet- 
almond  oil,  without  previous  preparation,  and  finished 
with  a  ring"  of  gold  size. 


MICROSCOPIGAL  APPARATUS. 

The  Micromotoscope. — Dr.  Robert  L.  Watkins  says  that 
living  microscopic  objects  may  be  presented  on  a  screen 
with  an  instrument  which  he  calls  a  micromotoscope. 
After  overcoming  several  obstacles  he  found  it  possible  to 
do  this  directly  by  the  use  of  a  special  arc  light,  but  the 
one  great  obstacle — heat — dried  the  specimens  sopromptly 
that  the  living  objects  were  killed  and  the  method  had  to 
be  abandoned.  The  appearance  of  the  vitascope,  however, 
suggested  the  possibility  of  applying  some  such  method 
to  the  studies  he  was  pursuing.  This  proved  perfectly 
successful.  By  means  of  this  instrument  he  discovered 
that  the  active  motion  of  living  microscopic  objects  could 
readily  be  photographed.  By  using  from  fifty  to  a  hun- 
dred and  fifty  feet  of  the  vitascopic  film,  and  taking  a  series 
of  impressions  in  sufficiently  rapid  succession,  he  has  been 
able  to  secure  pictures  which  when  passed  through  a  lan- 
tern at  the  same  rate  of  speed  will  present  on  a  screen  all 
the  motions  of  the  objects  photographed,  and  can  be  wit- 
nessed by  an  audience  of  any  size. 

Dr.  Watkins  thinks  that  the  value  of  this  discovery  can 
not  be  overestimated,  not  only  for  use  in  studying  the  vital 
processes  of  microscopic  life,  but  also  as  a  method  of 
teaching  students  and  the  public.  In  his  investigations, 
this  method  has  been  applied  more  especially  to  the  study 
of  blood-corpuscles,  and  he  states  that  the  active  motion 
of  the  leucocyte  can  thus  be  readily  reproduced.  It  may 
be  seen  to  stretch  out  its  fingerlike  prolongations  and  then 
retract  them.  The  nucleus  may  also  be  seen  to  vary  its 
shape,  to  split  up  into  two  or  more,  and  sometimes  the  cell 
itself  to  divide  into  many  parts. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897.]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  295 

The  accurate  reproduction  of  these  various  vital  pro- 
cesses of  cell  life,  he  thinks,  will  be  of  g-reat  assistance  in 
revealing  the  exact  condition  of  the  blood,  and  help  us  to 
get  one  step  nearer  the  ultimate  processes  of  life.  Dr. 
Watkins  does  not  hesitate  to  say  that  various  cells  now 
known  by  different  names  will  be  found  to  be  only  transi- 
tion forms  of  the  leucocyte.  The  amoeboid  motion  of  the 
leucocyte  continues  sometimes  for  fully  twenty-four  hours 
after  the  blood  is  placed  on  the  slide  of  the  microscope. 

There  is  another  field  of  usefulness  in  which  the  micro- 
motoscope  may  prove  of  service,  and  that  is  in  the  study 
of  the  life  of  microbes  in  stale  urine  and  other  fermenting* 
fluids,  and  in  the  study  of  the  motile  efforts  of  all  micros- 
copic g'erms  and  bacilli. 

To  secure  an  appearance  of  continuous  motion,  these 
pictures  must  be  taken  in  rapid  succession,  allowing  an 
exposure  of  from  one  fiftieth  toone  twenty-fifth  of  a  second; 
and  to  complete  a  full  cycle  of  motion,  as  in  the  expansion 
and  contraction  of  a  leucocyte,  requires  from. eight  hun- 
dred to  fifteen  hundred  successive  pictures.  The  time 
between  the  first  and  the  second  photographs  is  two  minu- 
tes; the  others  are  fifteen  minutes  apart;  allowing  an 
exposure  of  from  one  to  two  seconds.  The  impression 
made  by  their  rapid  passage  before  the  eye  when  placed 
in  a  vitascope  gives  the  sensation  of  continuous  motion. 


MICBOSCOPIGAL  MANIPULATION. 


Separation  of  Diatoms,  etc.,  from  Sand. —  For  this 
purpose  we  use  certain  liquids  of  high  specihc  gravity, 
such  as  are  used  in  minerological  operations,  and  we 
commend  the  following : 

Brown's  liquid:  Methylene  iodine,  which  has  a  specific 
gravity  of  3.3.  By  adding  iodoform  to  this,  this  figure  is 
raised  to  3.45,  while  iodine  increases  it  to  3.65. 

Klein's  liquid:  Potassium-boro-wolframin,  the  specific 
gravity  of  which  is  3.28. 

Rohrbach's  liquid:  Barium-mercury  iodine,  s.  g.,  3.58. 

Toulet's  liquid:  Sodium-mercury-iodide,  s.  g.,  3.19. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


296  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Sept 

Other  liquids  are:  Silver  iodide  dissolved  in  concentrated 
solution  of  silver  nitrate,  which  makes  an  oily,  brown 
liquid  of  s.  g-.,  5.00.  Thallium-silver  nitrate,  melting  at 
75  C,  s.  gf.,  4.1.  Concerning-  this  last  named  chemical  the 
Bayerische  Industrie  und  Gewerbeblatt  has  the  following 
information: 

The  specific  g-ravity  and  the  melting-  point  of  thallium- 
silver  nitrite  fall  as  the  proportion  of  thallium  nitrate  is 
increased,  thus,  while  the  latter  substance  has  a  specific 
gravity  of  5.00,  and  a  melting  point  of  250,  the  addition  of 
1  part  of  silver  nitrate  to  4  parts  of  the  thallium  salt 
decreases  the  melting  point  to  200  degrees  C,  and  the  s.  g., 
to  4.9.  Three  parts  of  silver  nitrate  to  4  parts  of  thallium 
nitrate  bring  the  s.  g.  down  to  4.7  and  the  melting  point  to 
100  degrees  C. 

All  the  above  are  soluble  in,  or  miscible  with  water  in 
every  proportion.  In  using  them  the  material  is  thrown 
on  the  liquid,  and  floats  or  sinks  according  to  its  specific 
gravity. — Zeitschrift  fur  Angewandte  Mikroskopie. 

Pastes  and  Cements  for  Photographs  and  Other  Pur- 
poses.— From  a  recent  publication  on  the  recent  progress 
and  novelties  in  photographic  technique,  by  Eder  and 
Valenta,  the  Drogesten  Zeitung  takes  the  following  for- 
mulae for  pastes: — 

PASTES  CONTAINING   STARCH. 

Gum  arable 4  parts. 

Starch 3  parts. 

Sugar I  part. 

Water  suflficient. 

Dissolve  the  gum  arabic  in  sufficient  water  to  take  up 
the  starch;  rub  up  together,  add  the  sugar,  and  heat  the 
whole  on  a  water-bath  until  the  starch  is  completely  con- 
verted. 

CoLLODiNE. — This  is  simply  a  paste  made  by  treating 
starch  with  water  rendered  strongly  alkaline,  whereby  the 
substance  is  rendered  soluble. 

Triticine. — This  is  a  paste  made  of  dextrin  and  starch 
in  equal  parts,  in  water,  the  starch  being  made  soluble  by 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  297 

heat.  A  little  glycerine  is  added  to  make  the  paste  pliable 
and  elastic  when  dry,  and  a  little  boric  acid  or  thymol,  or 
both,  to  prevent  fermentation. 

DEXTRIN    PASTIC — MUCILAGE. 

1.  Dextrin 50 — 90  parts. 

AluiQ 4  parts. 

Sugar 75  parts. 

Water 120  parts. 

Carbolic  ac  d  solution,  10  per  cent 60  parts. 

Mix. 

2.  Gum  arabic* 4  parts. 

Water 8  parts. 

Glycerine i  part. 

Neutral  spirit 3  parts. 

Mix. 

3.  Gum  arabic 70  parts. 

Water 200  parts. 

Aluminum  sulphate 2  parts. 

Dissolve  the  aluminum  sulphate  in  a  small  portion  of 
the  water,  and  the  gum  arabic  in  the  rest,  and  mix  the 
solutions.  This  m.ikes  a  very  strong  and  excellent  mucil- 
age, the  addition  of  the  aluminum  sulphate  giving  it  great 
strength  and  adhesiveness. 

PASTES  CONTAINING   GELATIN    OK   GLUE. 

The  following  is  recommended  to  the  trade  as  a  most 
"excellent  paste  for  every  possible  purpose." 

Gelatin  or  best  glue 2  parts. 

Water 6  parts. 

Pour  the  water  over  the  glue  and  let  stand  over  night, 
or  until  the  glue  is  swollen  and  soft  throughout,  then  put 
on  a  water-bath  and  heat  gently  until  the  glue  is  melted. 
Add  from  1  to  2  parts  of  chloral  hydrate  and  let  digest 
under  gentle  heat  for  some  time.  The  resultant  fluid  is  a 
liquid  glue  of  great  tenacity  and  keeping  properties. 
Another  formula  is  as  follows: 

Bestglue 40  parts. 

Water 100  parts. 

Treat  the  glue  as  before,  by  letting  stand  over  night 
and  melting  in  the  water-bath.     In  the  hot  liquid  stir    40 


Digitized  by 


Google 


298  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Sept 

parts  of  starch,  a  little  at  a  time,  with  constant  stirring, 
until  the  starch  is  converted.  Then  add  5  to  10  parts  of 
oil  of  turpentine,  and  stir  in.  This  glue  should  be  warmed 
up  till  lurkwarm  before  using-.  Finally,  a  very  powerful 
cement  is  made  as  follows: 

Cover  100  parts  of  gelatin  with  cold  water,  and  let 
stand  until  the  gelatin  has  absorbed  as  much  of  the  water 
as  it  will  take  up.  Pour  off  the  residual  water  and  get  rid 
of  the  last  traces  of  surplus  by  throwing  the  gelatin  on 
coarse  cloth.  Melt  in  the  water-bath  as  before  and  to  the 
liquid  add  150  parts  of  alcohol,  500  parts  of  water,  50  parts 
of  glycerin  and  20  parts  of  carbolic  acid. 


BACTEBIOLOGT. 


Bacillus  Coli  communis. — It  has  been  known  for  many 
years  that  certain  micro-organisms  found  in  animal  dejecta 
decomposed  alkaline  nitrates  with  formation  of  oxygen, 
which  is  utilized  by  the  bacteria,  free  nitrogen,  and  libera- 
tion of  the  base.  One  of  these  organisms  is  the  Bacillus 
Coli  communis,  and  Hugounec  &  Doyon  have  recently  pre- 
sented a  memoir  on  this  subject  at  a  meeting  of  the  Paris 
Society  of  Biology.  They  find  that  by  reversing  a  tube 
of  a  sterilized  solution  of  potassium  nitrate  in  peptone, 
sown  with  Bacillus  Coli  over  a  tube  of  mercury,  that  after 
some  hours  several  cubic  centimeters  of  nitrogen  are  lib- 
erated by  the  denitrifying  action  of  the  bacillus.  The 
nitrate  solution  was  found  to  be  most  strongly  acted  upon 
when  containing  about  1.5  per  cent.  On  testing  with 
Kberth's  bacillus  similar  results  were  obtained. 

Smegma  Bacillus. — Grethe  (Fortschr.  der  Med.,  May, 
1S<H))  points  out  the  need  of  some  simple  method  of  diflfer- 
erentiating  the  sme^^ma  bacillus  from  the  tubercle.  The 
inui)ility  to  distinj^uish  between  these  two  germs  has  led 
to  serious,  results  in  a  number  of  instances;  in  one  case  a 
supposed  tubercular  kidney  was  removed,  but  upon  sub- 
sequent examination  it  was  found  that  there  was  present 
only  calculous  pyelitis.  In  this  case  supposed  tubercle 
bacilli  were  found  in  the  urine.     A  number  of  other  cases 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  299 

have  been  reported  in  which  similar  errors  have  occurred. 
Grethe  has  found  that  reliable  results  are  obtained  by 
staining-  with  a  concentrated  alcoholic  methylene  blue. 
This  stains  the  smeg-ma  bacillus  well;  and  if  the  prepara- 
tion be  first  stained  in  the  ordinary  manner  with  carbol 
fuchsin,  the  tubercle  bacillus,  if  present,  is  easily  identi- 
fied by  its  red  color  contrasting^  with  the  blue  of  the  rest 
of  the  preparation,  including-  the  sraeg-ma  bacillus. 


VEDIGAL  HIGROSGOPT. 


The  Recognition  of  Diabetis  by  Examination  of  the 
Blood. — Bremer  shows,  in  the  Journal  der  Pharmacie  von 
Elsass -Loth ring-en,  how  it  may  be  effected  by  the  aid  of  the 
microscope,  in  demonstrating-  the  g-rape  sugar  reaction  in 
that  vital  fluid.    He  says: 

Mix  equaf  volumes  of  saturated  solutions  of  eosin  and 
methylene  blue  and  pour  the  mixture  on  a  filter  as  soon  as 
the  precipitdte  ceases  to  fall.  Collect  the  precipitate 
after  washings  on  the  filter,  dry  it  carefully,  and  pulverize 
it  very  finely.  To  this  powder  add  24  parts  of  eosin  and  6 
parts  of  methylene  blue,  also  in  fine  powder.  This  will 
make  a  redish-brown  powder. 

The  blood  to  be  examined  is  spread  in  a  very  thin  layer 
over  a  cover-j^lass,  another  cover  beings  smeared  with  a 
drop  from  some  person  known  to  be  healthy,  the  latter 
serving-  for  purposes  of  comparison. 

After  drying^,  put  the  two  cover-g-lasses  simultaneously 
in  a  mixture  of  alcohol  and  ether  in  equal  parts,  put  over 
the  waterbath  and  let  boil  for  four  minutes.  Remove  and 
put  in  a  solution  made  by  dissolving-  from  25  mg^m.  to  3 
cg-m.  of  the  mixed  powder  described  above  in  10  g^m.  of 
33  per  cent  alcohol  (alcohol  1  part,  distilled  water  2  parts), 
Th's  solution,  we  should  remark,  should  be  freshly  pre- 
pared on  each  occasion  that  it  is  required. 

Leave  the  cover  in  the  stain  for  about  four  minutes, 
remove,  rinse  with  water,  and  examine  under  the  micro- 
scope. If  diabetes  be  present  in  the  person  whose  blood 
is   under  examination  the  latter  will  be  colored  a  blue- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


300  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Sept 

black,  while  normal  blood,  takes  on  a  red-violet.  In  all 
cases  where  possible,  for  the  sake  of  absolute  certainty, 
the  urine  should  be  tested  for  gflucose  by  any  of  the  well- 
known  reactions. 

Yellow  Fever  Microbes. —  Dr.  Havelburg-  announces 
that  the  mirobe  which  he  considers  the  specific  cause  of 
yellow  fever  is  found  only  in  the  stomach  and  intestines, 
but  is  cultivated  by  injecting  it  subcutaneously  intog^uinea 
pigs.  He  finds  that  a  previous  injection  of  blood  from  a 
yellow  fever  convalescent  renders  an  animal  immune  to  an 
otherwise  fatal  dose  of  injection  of  the  cultivated  microbe. 
— O  Brazil  Medico. 


inCROSCOPICAL  S0CIETIE8. 


Quekett  Microscopical  Club. 

The  352nd  meeting  of  this  club  was  held  on  June  18tb. 
It  was  voted  to  alter  rule  1  of  the  club's  bye-laws  making 
the  vacation  three  months  instead  of  two,  as  heretofore. 
Meetings  will  be  resumed  in  October. 

R.  and  J.  Beck  exhibited  a  portable  binocular  microscope 
with  the  stage  and  sub-stage  entirely  removable  for  con- 
venience in  packing,  Mr.  Nelson  did  not  see  why  this 
arrangement  should  be  less  practical  and  rigid  than  the 
more  complicated  and  expensive  revolving  movement 
usually  employed.  Mr.  Nelson  described  the  performance 
of  Leitz's  new  semi-apochromatic  1 — 10th  oil  immersion 
objective  of  1*3  N.  A,,  which  he  thought  was  the  finest 
lens  yet  produced  at  anything  like  the  price — viz.,  $18.00. 
He  also  exhibited  one  of  his  new-formula  reflecting  loups, 
and  a  fine  series  of  enlargements  of  his  well-known  photo- 
micrographs of  diatom  structure.  Mr.  A.  Earland  read  a 
paper  on  collecting  Foraminiferous  material,  including 
directions  for  cleaning  and  mounting.  Mr.  Rousselet 
read  a  paper  on  the  male  of  Proales  w^ernecki — a  rotifer  the 
females  of  which  produce  galls  on  Vaucheria,  in  which 
they  reside  and  deposit  their  eggs. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


A  NEW  EDITION  OF 

^ISL.  llsLTXTSOM  St  SONS* 

lUustrated  Catalogue  of  Microscopes,  Objectives 
and  Accessories. 

lu  it  will  he  foand  fullj  described  all  the  latest  itnprovemeutB  aod  deslf(os 
of  the  Watsou  loBtraments,  also  maoy  new  kinds  of  accessories  incladingtbo 
following  : 

A  SERIES  OF  NEW  PARACHROMATIC 

MICROSCOPIC    OBJECTIVES, 

These  Tjenses  will  be  found  to  possess  large  apertures,  to  be  of  unifbrui  qoml- 
ity.  and  to  be  as  low  in  price  as  any  Objectives  in  the  niarket.  They  are 
constructed  almost  entirely  of  Jena  Glass. 

The  ibUowing  are  selected  from  the  Serie^ 


PUWKU. 

N.  A. 

PRICE. 

POWER. 

N.  A. 

PRICE 

1-2  inch 

0.34 

Xl.2.6 

2-3  in. 

0.28 

Xl.5.0 

1-4  inch 

0.68 

1.5.0 

1-6  in. 

0.87 

1.10.0 

1-8  inch 

0.88 

2.0.0 

1-9  in. 

0.90 

.5.0 

Hoiuo^e  neons 

Immersion. 

18  inch 

1-20 

4.15.0 

1-12  in. 

1.25 

5.0.0 

W.  WATSON  &  SONS' 

New  **  PARACHROMATIC"  Substage  Condenser. 

This  oondeuser  has  a  total  aperture  of  1.0  N.  A.,  has  an  extremely  larg« 
Aplattatic  Aperture,  exceeding  .90  N.  A.  Its  power  is  2-7  inch,  and  with 
the  front  lens  removed,  4.10  inch.  It  is  mounted  with  Iris  Diaphragm  and 
rei'olviug  carrier  for  stops  for  dark  ground  iind  oblique  illn  mi  nation.  The 
IriH  DiHphragiu  is  divided  so  as  to  indicate  the  K.  A.  at  rhich  the  oondenser 
IS  euiployed.     The  diameter  of  the  back  lens  is  5-8  inch. 

PRICE  COMPLETE   X3.15. 

APLANTIC  MAGNIFIERS. 

In  addition  to  W.  Watson  &  Sons'  well-known  regular  series  they  are 
working  Mr.  E.  M.  Nelson's  new  form,  magnifying  15  diameters,  which  gives 
great  working  distance  and  large  aperture.  It  is  believed  to  be  oneqaslled 
by  any  similar  lens  for  qualities. 

PRICED — in  German  silver  mount,  pocket  form  15.6. 
For  dissecting,  in  wooden  box  14.6. 

Tbe  above  catalogue  will  be  mailed  post-free  on  appHcation. 
MICROSCOPIC  OBJECTS. 

Wateon  &  Sons  hold  a  stock  of  40,000  specimens  all  of  the  highest  cJass, 
foraiiog  undoubtedly  the  finest  collection  in  the  world.  Full  classified  list 
forward  post-free  on  application  to 

iA^,  iA^KTSON  St  SONS 

(ESTABLISHED  1837) 
(»>nCIANS  TO  H.  M.  GOVERNMENT. 
313  High   Hoi  bom,  London,  W.  C;  and  78  Swanston  Street,   Melbonme, 

Australia. 
Awarded  38  Gold  and  other  medals  at  Intemational'Exhibitions  indoding 
5  Highest  Awards  al^  the  World's  Fair,  Chicago,  1893.    2  Gold  Medals,  PArte 
Universal  Exhibition  1889  Ac.  Ac. 
NOTE — ^The  postage  on  letters  to  England  is  5  cents,  or  postal  oaids  2  i 


Digitized  by 


Google 


WANT,  SALE  AND  EXCHANGE  NOTiCES. 


FOR  SALE.  —First  class  Botanical  mooDta,  25  oeoto.  Send  for  list ;  alio 
wiU  exchauge.  \,  PERCY  BLACKMAN,  Sandy  Hook,  Omn. 

FOR  SALE.— Tolled  1-10  objective,  L 42  N  A,  one  of  his  latest  and  belt 
Also  1-12  Powell  &  Jjclaud  apochromatic  objective,  1.40  N.  A,  naw. 

C.  E.  BLAKE  &  GO.,  Adams  Express  Bldg.,  Chicago,  111. 

READ  the  uice  stories  in  Lippincott's  Monthly  Magazine.  Yon  can  save 
50  cents,  (club  rate)  by  subscribing  for  Lippincott  throng  ns. 

MICROSCOPICAL  PUB.  CO. 

FOR  SALE. — Nicely  mounted  slides  uf  Rhinoceros  horn,  at  40  cents  €acfa> 
H.  H.  DAVISON,  41  Sumner  St.,  Pautncket,  R,  L 

FOR  SALE —Pritfhard's  Infusoria  (latest  edition,  colored  plates) and 
Smith's  British  Diatomawae  (2  vols.,  uncut).  Tliese  works  are  very  scsroe 
and  can  only  be  got.as  in  this  case,  when  a  microtomist  finishes  using  them. 
Price  $60.  No  Sig. ,  Care  C.  W .  SMILEY. 

FOR  EXCHANC;E.--The  Museum  of  Ha mline  University  desirea  to  ex- 
change Atlantic  Shells,  preserved  specimens  of  Marine  Zoology  of  microscopic 
slip  slides  for  zoological  specimens  especially  Rodents  in  the  flesh  firom 
Southwestern  United  States.     Correspcmdence solicited. 

HENRY  L.  OSBORN,  Uamline  Univ.,  6t  Paul,  MionesoU. 

ARRANGED  DIATOMS.  I  furnish  the  most artistitic arrang^meots of 
diatoms  in  slides  at  $5.00  each.  Your  name  can  be  made  from  difiereot 
species.  Roosters,  hen  and  chickens,  and  booqaets  of  floweia  in  battoflj 
scales  and  diatoms  from  $5.00.    Refer  to  the  Editor  of  this  JonmaL 

.Micrcscopical  Specialties. 

KING'S  CEMENTS  ^•^""^"^"^"^^Ttbeywui^-ui.it 

KING'S  GLYCERINE  JELLY  is  unsurpassed. 
THE  KING  MICBOTOMB  is  the  best  for  botaaical  worL 

Send  for  ftiU  lilt  of  gpedalUm, 

J«   D.    KING,    Cottage   City,    Mass. 
INVEBTEBRATB  DISSECTIONS. 

Second  Ediium  ;  Revised  and  QreaU^  Enlarped. 

DESIGNED  to  snit  the  requirements  of  high  school  or  ooHege,  or  to  goide 
any  who  may  desire  to  pnrsne  an  elementary  course  of  practicil  or  theoretical 
invertebrate  soology.  It  contains  working  directions  for  the  study  of  fiffy 
types,  from  all  classes  and  orders  of  Invertebrates,  attention  being  chiefly 
called  to  common  and  easily  obtained  forms ;  notes  on  habits  and  modes  <7 
capture,  and  items  to  observe  on  living  aoimals  ;  bibliographical  refenooe  to 
some  of  the  most  accessible  literature  of  each  group  ;  and  a  synoptical  table 
of  the  entiie  animal  kingdom  summarizing  all  the  pnyla,  classes  and  ordeni 
thus  making  the  book  a  compend  of  Elementary  Inveortebrate  Zoology. 

8vo;  heavy  paper  covers;  64  pages  ;  price  75  cent&  Special  rates  for  schools. 
Sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price.  Circulars  and  sample  pages  Ihinished  oa 
application  to  author. 

Hrnry  L.  Osborn, 

Hamline  University,  Si.  Pa$U,  Minn. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


W.  WATSON  &  SONS' 

V  6RAHD  MODEL  YAH  HEURGK  MICROSCOPE 


FOR  HIGH  POWER  WORK  AND  PHOTO  MICROGRAPHY. 


an 
ng 

of 

ta- 

:k- 

en 
m- 


is 
of 


Digitized  by 


Google 


CARL  REICHERT 
MICROSCOPES. 

SOLE  AfiEXTS  FOB  UVITED  STATES. 

RICHARDS  &  CO.,  I,TD., 

NEW  YOBK,  OHIOAQO, 

41  BtrcliT  met.      108  Lake  Street. 


Ucimopic  Freparatioiis  Dlostratiiiii  tbi  lioiite  StrDGtnre 
of  TenetaUe  Life. 

Being  enclosed  in  a  novel  transparent  envelope,  these  objects  may 
be  examined  without  removal  before  mounting.  They  are  prepared 
with  the  utmost  care  by  Wai^TER  WhiTE,  England,  and  are  mostly 
stained  in  one  or  two  colors  of  the  most  permanent  character. 

A  friend  says :  The  sample  section  is  exquisite.  It  is  so  good 
that  I  want  more.  As  a  well -cut  and  well-stained  section  it  is 
equal  to  anything  I  have  seen  in  that  line. 

PRIGELS. 

Catalogue  of  172  objects,  -  -  -  fo.o3 

Single  specimens,      -  -  -  -  -  .08 

20  specimens,  assorted, '  -  .  -  i.oo 

CUAS.  W.  SMUiET,  Washiiiirton,  I>.  €. 

SWEDEN  BORG 

is  not  only  a  theologian  ;  tie  is  a  scientist  and  a  scientific  writer, 
whose  kecMiiy  philosophical  analysis  of  phenomena  is  helpful  to 

Addivss 

ADOLPH  ROEDER, 

Vineland,  N.  J. 

FOR  SALE.— A  set  of  slides  niostmting  the  Woody  Plants  ofDUnois, 
fr.  Gcneru.  H.  P.  MUNROE,  821  Jackson  Boulevaid,  Chicago,  111. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


r 


Send  for  Art  Catalogue. 

ssHSHsgsasasasasgsasasssasagHSHsasasasas^HSii 


Light?     19  to  21  lbs. 

Strong  ?     Guaranteed. 

For  whom?     300  pound  riders. 


KEATING  BICYCLES. 


s 


Frame  sway?     No.     Why?     See  that  curve. 
In  Speedy?     Yes.  - 

ffl  Why?     Long  chain. 

l£HH5SH5H5HS55H5rHHE5B5B525E5E5BS€5H555a5H5H55H£l 

26K  days  ahead  of  them  all. 


Keating  Wheel  Co.,  Holyoke,  Mass. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE  FISK 

TRAGHRRS'  AQRNGIRS. 
EVERETT  O.  FISK  &  CO..  Proprietors. 

President. 

Mwtmmn  0.  Fi«,  -  -  -  4  AlhlMurton  PIsm,  Botioii,  Mas. 

Mftnagerg* 

W.  B.  HnuoK,  4  Adibiirtoa  PIam,  Boaton,  W.  D.  Kau.  70  Hflfa  Atmim,  New  Tark, 

Mtb.  8.  D.  TaimifoifD,  1242   TwaUUi  8t^  F.y.Hirraaoo>,70rifth  ATanve^NawTork, 

WaahlBcton,D.O.  K.T. 

A.  a.  FuHBB,  4  Aahbarton  Plaoa,  Boaton,  W.  0.  Pkatt,  70  Fifth  ATairaa,  Haw  Toik. 

Ifaaa.  N.  T. 

Maisha  BdAa,  4  Aahlmrton  Plaoa,  BoaloD,  L.  B.  HAiaBT,S66  Wabaah  ATanaa,  Ghlcaco, 

Maaa.  HU 

Hium  O.  Baobe,  4  Aahbarton  Plaoa,  Boa-  J.  D.  Ekmjl  OeDtarr  BalMiiig,  MlBsaapo- 

ton,  Maaa.  olla,  MlDn. 

W.   0.   MoTAoeABT,   26   King  St,   Waat  Mu.  B.  Dowuna   Bmolk,  Oaatnry  BIdg., 

H.  B.OBOOKBB,  70  Fifth  Avanna,  Maw  York,  0.  oTBoTMroii,  liOU  Bo.  Sprinff  Bt^  Loa. 

M.  T.  Angalaa,  Oal. 

SandtoaojoftbaaboTaagaiMdaa  fi>f  100-paga  Afendy  ManaaL  OorraapondaBoa  witii  &m^ 
ployara  la  lorltad.    Bagiatratioa  forma  aant  to  taaohars  on  appllcatioB. 


ZEISS  MICROSCOPES. 

The  Carl  Zeiss  Optical  WorJLS  in  Jena 

Are  recognized  in  Europe  as  the  leading  manufacturers  of  Stands  and 
Objectiyes.  They  have  issued  a  newCataloguejorjgg^,  containing  a 
description  ofirn^mBeroTne^^^ccSsone^mSRpparatus  which  I  am 
enabled  to  import  at  lowest  rates.  Orders  for  colleges  and  institutions 
filled  prompty,  duty  free.  New  Catalogues  forwarded  on  application, 
against  20  cents  in  postage  stamps. 

F.  J.  EMMBRICH,  Sr.,  Asrent, 

74  Murray  St.,  New  York,  N.  Y. 


'9 
OPTICIAN. 

209  South  nth  Street,   Philadelphia. 


HISTOLOGICAL   MICROSCOPES  $65. 


STUDENTS'  MICROSCOPES,  $38  to  $46,  Complete. 

MICROMETER  RULINGS,   A  SPECIALTY. 


n^USTRATSD  CATAL<>OUB  ON  APPLICATION. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Q#ologiQ€il  MagaMne 

OR 

Zriontt^Iy  journal  of  (5eoIogy: 

WITH  WHICH  IS  INCORPORATED 

''THE    OEOLOGIST.' 

SDITKD  BY 

HENRY  WOODWARD,  LL.D.,  P.  R.  S.,  PresG.  S.,  P.  Z.  S.,  F.  R.  M.  S. 

OF  THE  BRITISH  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  ; 
ASSISTED  BY 

ROBERT  ETHERIDGE,  P.  R.  S.  L.  &  E.,  F.  G.  S.,  F.  C.  S  ,  &c. 

WILFRID  H.  HUDLESTON,  M.  A.,  F.  R.  S.,  F.  G.  S  ,  F.  L.  S.,  F.  C.  S 

GEORGE  J.  HINDRE,  Ph.D.,  V.  P.  G.  S.,  &c 

AND 

HORACE  BOUNGBOKE  WOODWARD,  F.  G.  S. 


The  NEW  SERIES.    Decade  IV.    Vol.  II.No.  1—4. 
Jan.-    April,  1895,  NOW  BEADY. 

PUBLISHED   BY 

MESSRS.    DULAU    &   CO., 

37  SOHOSaUABE,  LONDON,  W. 

It  is  eaniesily  reqaested  that  Sabscriptiona  may  be  seot  to  DuLAu  and 
Co.  in  adTance.  Sabscribero  oilSs,  for  the  year  will  receive  the  Magazine, 
Post-free,  direct  on  the  Ist  of  each  Month.    Single  copies  Ij.  6d.  each. 


All  GommunicatioD&for  this  Magazine  should  be 
addressed  to  the  Editor  of  the  Geological  Magazine, 

129  BEAUFORT  STREET,  CHELSEA, 

LONDON,  S.  W. 

Books  and  Specimens  may  In  future  be  addressed  to  the  Editor,  care  of 

MESSBS.  DULAU  &  CO.,  37  Soho  Square,  London,  W, 


Digitized  by 


Google  , 


Special 
Anaouncement 


^  I  N  - 


MICROSCOPY. 


D' 


^UBflfO  tlM  iMl  few  mmOm 
I  have  be«n  boqr  pi^B|MriB( 
■Mugr  rar»  «Bd  novel  olijeeti 
for  MleixMOopicftl  porpcnea,  mud 
hftTo  MT«»K«1  tbem  m  VMtor  In 
IBiMrtvated  SeiiM. 

Tbo  fliBi  of  tkcM  li  the  Mi- 
croscopical SUulios  iB  Bf*- 
rlne  Zooloffy, 

The  aecund  Seriea  (Tic:  that 
for  1805)  eoDsktt  of  14  splendid 
preparatJoBs,  *U  of  the  highert 
poi^e  excellence  aod  gnarftnteed 
psnnan«&t.  The  U  flidee  appeer 
in  qoarterly  ineteilmenta,  and  are 
aeeompaoied  bj  over  lOO  pa^ea 
of  descrlpilTO  lotterproM, 
dealing  ia  pleasant  bat  exact  man- 
ner with  the  anatomy,  life-history 
and  habits  of  the  respectiTe  enb- 


nake  plain  all  details. 

I  SabAoriptloD,  •e.M,  post- 

le  following  are  amonc  the  Slides 


from  life,  BBi 
InclwiiTO  I 

The  following  are  among 
1.  Colony  of  the  lorely  Badiolarian  Spkmro- 

goMm,  showing  parasitic  alg». 
«.  TheloTely  Zoophyte  ObeUa,  polyps  fhlly 


Jects,  while  1 1  ftiU-paso  plates 
of  photo-ODgrraTMi^,  drawn 


f^ee.    Tnll  prospectos  on  application. 
Included  in  this  Series : 

6.  LoTsIy  Bxnanded  Zoophyte  Ssrtalaris     50c 

7.  Opomnm-abrimp  Jfy«M,  showing  audi- 
tory organ  in  tail  SSc 

8.  The  splendid  pare  oignniiive  IHytyBbOB, 
LichftHopnra  40c 

9.  Entire  larral  Plaice,  eye  Jast  tvming 
from  blind  sid^  and  6  other  equally 
fine  slides.  60c 


^zpan^ ^   ^ 

3.  Stalked  stage   of   the  larra    of   Bosy 

Feather  Star  (amtedim)  40c 

4.  An  entire  Sea-Bntterfly  {PUrcpod),  40c 
6.  Lorely  expanded  Zoophyte  i^weoyyns.      40c 

The  prices  against  each  are  those  at  wblsh  the  preparmtions  are  sold  separately,  show- 
ing what  a  cheap  lot  I  offer  in  series  at  f6.26,  post  ftee.  A  few  sets  of  Series  1  still  aTailahle. 
$8.25,  post  free.    Sample  SUde,  50c..  post  free. 

Prof.  J.  B.  Ainsworth  Davis,  UniTersity  College,  Aberystwith,  writes:  "Allow  me  to 
oongratnlate  you  on  the  Tery  useful  work  yu«  are  doing  by  the  pabliciOiun  of  Toumal,  with 
aooompany lug  slides,  which  are  most  admibaiilk. 

—  Saperb  microscopical  preparations  of  Braxlllan  I^lanas  ~I  have 

been  unfortunate  In  obtaining  a  quantity  of  UwMe  superb  etfs  the 
most  lOTely  in  the  whole  plant  kingdom— aad  have  arraA««d  tbem 
in  two  seU  of  6  each,  at  the  price  of  $1.35  per  set,  or  $2  25  for  the 
two.  The  most  exsuidtoly  charming  slides  that  Cfmld  pus^iblj  be 
imagined  for  exhibition  at  popular  gatherings. .  As  tbe  quantity  k 
mmmmt^m^m^^^^^^     Y^ry  limited.  I  am  unable  to  sell  single  slides. 

}      Microscopical  Stndlot  In  Botany.— In  answer  to  many  requests,  I  hare  ar- 
ranged 20  magnificent  preparations  in  a  series  on  similar  lines  to  that  in  marine  soology  de- 

Tha  first  series  is  now  begun  and  comprises  20  higheet-clsss  slides  (such  as  sell  singly 
at  25c  to  »ftc  each),  illustrated  by  descriptlTe  letterpress  and  90  specially  beautiful  photo-micro- 
icraphs  of  the  sections.  .  ^        ,  „, 

Subscriptions,  $8.25  only,  tor  all,  a  sum  which  would  be  cheap  for  the  seri^  of  illu»- 

tra  ons  ^^^  j  ^  (j^„^  Unlverelty  College,  Nottingham,  writes :  "Your  Botanical  Slides 
are  the  roost  benuttftU  I  have  ever  seen.  The  following  are  among  the  slides  already  issued  in 
iibo^e  lines ; 


aooompany  lug  slides,  which 

Botany. 


1.  Tr.  sec.  flower-bud  of  Lily  25c 

».    '*    ••  do       of  Dandelion  30e 

3    LonK*l  sec    do       of       do  25o 

4.  do  fruit    of  Fig  30c 


6.  Tr.  sec  f^t  of  Date  (sptondid)  S5c 
8     **    **    flower  of  £be*«dboIte<a  9(te 

7.  Long*l.  sec.  double  flower  of  Peony  S5c 

8.  Leaf-fall  of  Sycamore  25c 


I  guarantee  the  i>erfe«Jion 
lectioi 


of  all  my  mounts  and  will  b«pl«i»e4  to  send 
felecttous  on  approval  to  approved  correspondents.    ,  _  ,     .     ,     „  ^       .        ^     . 

A  great  range  of  Miscellaneous  Zoological  and  Botanical  slides  in  stock 
at  prices  from  I1.30  per  dosen.  .  ,.,  ^         j 

Coat  of  MallfaiR.  1  slide.  10  cents  ;  a  Shdes,  15  cents;  3  slides,  accents  and 
so  on     Large  parcels  by  express  at  very  cheap  rates.    ^   ^    „       ,  _,  .    .         , 

SpecialltV.  Marine  55oology  (especially  in  expanded  Zoophytes  and  larval 
stages,  and  plant  and  flower  anatomy. 

Torma.  Remittance  by  P.  O.  O.,  draft  on  London,  or  U.  S.  paper  currency » the 
former  preferred.  If  wished,  Mr.  0.  W.  Smiley.  Washington.  D.  '  will  hold  the 
amonnt  till  order  is  satisfactorily  executed.  Mr.  Smiley  has  kindly  promised  to 
vouch  for  the  excellency  of  the  slides  and  will  give  references  to  D.  8.  Microscop- 
ists  who  have  been  well  satisfied  with  my  preparations. 

JAMES  HORNELL, 


Blologtoa]  Statton,  Jersey,  Ingland. 


Specialist  in  Mkrosooplcal  M ooattng. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


FOR  SALE. -"Microscope,  Bausch  and  Lomb*s  Universal  with  ac 
cessories  in  first-class  order.  A  bargain.'  Also,  miscellaneous  slides. 
Fresh  stock,  first-class  work.  Satisfaction  guaranteed.  Have  supplied 
stock  to  Bausch  and  Lomb  Optical  Co.,  to  Wni.  F.  Stieren,  Pittsburg,  and 
others.    No  lists.    Send  |i.oo  for  sample  half-dozen. 

REV.  C.  F.  ElVIERY, 

BILOXI,  MISS. 

Sixth    Edition  of 

THE     MICROSCOPE 

AND    MlOROSOOPIOALw    METHODS. 
BY  SIMON   HENRY  GAGE, 

F«rfe-or  of  Y^">^^^iS^^±^^\^§9jp>lfSM^»^^.  V^f^-  »«' 

The  flgurM  have  been'iucreased*  firom  Ids  to l6^.  'in  matter  this  •ditiou  has  grown  how  160  to  287 
paf  Ml  This  increase  is  due  to  additiuns  In  the  text  of  preTions  editit^ns  and  to  some  wholly  lu'w  matter 
apon  methods  of  IsohitioD  and  of  sectioning  hj  thecoUoilion  and  hj  the  painffln  methods,  th<f>  prepararion 
of  drawings  fur  pnbllcatiun  and  l9<sti^tT«om  dlai^nAn.  FBLCDfl  60?  Oi^  C'PAID  Coxstock  I'ublish- 
Txo  Go.,  Ithaca,  N.  T. 


behaves  as  a  stimulant  as  well  as  an 


thus  di  fife  ring  from  other  Cofil- 


tar  products.  It  his  been  used' 'in  sthf?- relief •ofrheummtifem  and  neuralgic 
pains  and  in  the  treatment  of  the  sequ4alp?.of,aVcohp}ic  ep8;^8^-  AMMONOIy 
is  also  prepared  in  the  form  of  salicylate,  bromide,  and.  lithiat^.  The  pres- 
ence of  Ammonia  in  a  more  or  less  free,  stat^,  gives  it  additional  properties 
as  an  expectorant,  diuretic  and  correcuv<!'ofhyperacidityl— Z,d«ri5^^  Lancet. 

Che.  .Stimulant 

AMMONOLis  one  ofthc  derivatives  of  Coal-tar.  and  differs  from  the  numerous  sim- 
ilar products  in  that  it  contains  Ammonia  in  active  form.  As  a  result  of  this,  AM  MO- 
NO L  possesses  marked  stimulating  and  expectorant  properties.  The  well-known  cardiac 
depression  induced  by  other  Antipyretics  has  frequently  prohibited  their  use  in  otherwise 
snitable  cases.  The  introduction  of  a  similar  druz,  possessed  of  stimulating  properties, 
Is  an  event  of  much  Importance.  AM  MOINIOL  possesses  marked  anti-neuralgic 
properties,  and  it  is  claimed  to  be  especially  useful  in  cases  of  dysmenorrhoea— 7^«  Med- 
ical  Magazine^  London. 

Ammonol  may  be  obtained  from  all  Leading  Druggists.     Send  for  "Ammonol  Ex- 
cerpta,"  a  48-page  pamphlet. 

THE  AMMONOL  CHEMICAL  CC, 

NEW  YORK,  U.  S.  A. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL 

Contents  for  Oct.,  1897. 

Public  Wfttor  Riipply  for  Smftll  Towns.    Vteder ,  ^ 301 

The  BniB  of  the  Emhrjo  Soli-Shelled  Tortle.    Gage^^ ^..  307 

On' the  Seeds  and  Teste  of  Some  CraeiftnB.    [lUostrsted.]  PMnmel....  312 

A  Psrtisl  Bibliogrsphj  on  Mnstord  Seeds. ..,« 313 

A  Gase  ot  Fonl  Water  in  Reservoin.    [lUoftimted.]    Edwards 317 

The  Microbe  ol  Yellow  Fever.    SAnarelli ^ „ 324 

Editorial. 

Benjamin  F.  Qnifby „ ^ 328 

Lilb  in  Diamonds „ ^.  328 

HiCBOfloopicAL  Apparatus. 

Pboto^Micrographj , „ ^ 328 

Microscopical  Manipulatioh. 

Staining  Insect  Wings ...... „ 329 

Bactsrioloot. 

Anthrax  Bacteria  in  Hides  from  China 330 

Patbogenk  Organisms  and  LiYing  Plant  Tissoes 330 

Appropriation  of  Free  Atmospheric  Nitrogen 331 

Mkdical  Microscopy. 

Diarrhoea  in  Children  and  Milk ^ 332 

Tsetse  Fiy  Disease  oi  Nagana  in  Zololaiid 332 

Nsw  Publications. 

Medical  Botany 332 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


SEEDS   AND  TESTA. 

/Google 


Digitized  by  ^ 


THE    AMERICAN 

MONTHLY 

MICROSCOPICAL     JOURNAL. 

Vol.  XVIII.  OCTOBER,     1897.  No.  10, 

Public  Water  Supply  for  Small  Towns. 

By  M.  a.  VEEDER,  M.  D.. 

LYONS,    N.   Y. 

Drinking  water  that  is  manifestly  bad  does  not  make 
everyone  who  uses  it  sick.  Even  when  the  mains  and 
reservoirs  of  a  public  water-system  have  been  infected 
by  such  a  poison  as  that  of  typhoid  it  is  only  exception- 
*Blly  and  for  limited  periods  that  as  many  as  one  percent 
of  those  using  the  water  contract  the  disease.  An  out- 
break  of  2,000  cases  in  a  population  of  200,000  is  ordinar- 
ily regarded  as  a  severe  epidemic,  and  yet  this  is  at  the 
rate  of  only  one  person  in  a  hundred.  It  is  this  immu- 
nity on  the  part  of  the  great  mass  of  the  people  that  per- 
mits infected  systems  of  water-supply  to  continue  in 
operation.  If  there  were  no  resisting  power  on  the  part 
of  the  individual,  all  would  die  on  the  slightest  expos- 
ure and  the  source  of  danger  would  be  thoroughly  iden- 
tified and  avoided.  As  it  is,  however,  for  every  one  that 
contracts  the  disease  there  may  be  as  many  as  a  hundred 
who  escape.  Thus  it  becomes  a  question  of  probabilities, 
and  there  is  a  chance  for  much  plausible  theorising  and 
controversy.  Gradually,  however, as  the  result  of  increas- 
ing observation  and  experience,  crude  ideas  that  have 
prevailed  are  being  eliminated  and  the  truth  of  the  mat- 
ter established. 

Only  a  few  years  ago  the  most  essential  point  in  the 
niprovement   of    water-supply  w^s  thouf^ht   to    be   the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


302  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Oct. 

determination  of  the  chemical  ingredients  held  in  sus- 
pension or  solution.  Elaborate  systems  of  analysis  were 
devised  for  this  purpose,  and  the  quality  of  the  water 
was  judged  almost  entirely  by  its  chemical  reactions. 
Thus  it  becomes  customary  to  consider  the  questions 
involved  from  a  chemical  point  of  view  exclusively.^  The 
simple  dilution  of  contained  matters  of  a  chemical  nature 
if  carried  far  enough,  would  make  them  harmless.  Con- 
sequently large  bodies  of  water  were  supposed  to  have  a 
power  of  self-purification  in  direct  proportion  to  their 
size.  In  like  manner  precipitation,  sedimentation,  aera- 
tion and  other  chemical  and  mechanical  processes  were 
supposed  to  have  a  purifying  effect.  The  quantity  of 
sewage  entering  a  stream  being  known,  it  becomes  possi- 
ble to  tell  with  a  good  degree  of  certainty  at  what  distance 
mingled  with  such  a  volume  of  water,  it  will  become  so 
diluted,  diffused  and  changed  as  to  be  unrecognisible  by 
any  chemical  test.  The  dose  of  poisonous  matter,  if  of 
a  chemical  nature,  ought  to  be  divided  and  sub-divided 
to  such  an  extent  as  to  be  entirely  harmless  in  the  quan- 
tity of  water  that  any  individual  would  consume.  In 
practice,  however,  this  is  not  found  to  be  the  fact,  sewage 
infection  being  capable  of  producing  epidemic  disease 
for  many  miles  along  a  stream  entirely  out  of  proportion 
to  any  possible  chemical  process  of  diffusion. 

The  whole  tendency  of  modern  research  has  been  to 
show  that  the  question  as  to  the  spread  of  disease  through 
the  agency  of  water  is  biological  rather  than  chemical. 
It  is  the  presence  of  certain  living  organisms  and  of  the 
conditions  ou  which  their  continued  existence  depends 
that  leads  to  the  spread  of  disease.  A  single  seed  may 
be  the  means  of  overspreading  an  entire  continent  with 
some  form  of  luxuriant  growth,  and  so  a  single  disease 
germ  may  start  an  epidemic,  not  through  any  mechanical 
or  chemical  process  of  division  or  subdivision,  but  because 
having  life  it  grows  and  multiplies. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  303 

The  danger  consists  not  in  the  quantity  of  such  organ- 
isms but  in  their  power  of  growth  under  given  conditions. 
If  capable  of  living  in  water,  they  may  infect  an  entire 
stream  instead  of  disappearing  by  processes  of  dilution 
within  a  few  rods.  Unlike  chemical  poisons,  they  have 
no  fixed  poisonous  dose.  The  smallest  possible  inocula- 
tion may  prove  fatal  through  the  power  of  self -propaga- 
tion which  they  possess.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  their 
growth  be  hindered  by  unfavorable  temperature,  moisture 
or  food  supply,  they  may  become  harmless  no  matter 
what  their  quantity.  It  is  true  that  they  have  chemical 
effects,  originating  substances  known  as  toxines,  some  of 
which  are  deadly  poisons,  but  they  themselves  depend 
upon  possession  of  life  for  the  modes  of  activity  which 
they  exhibit.  Throughout  it  is  a  question  of  vitality 
under  particular  surroundings. 

Typhoid  fever,  cholera  and  certain  forms  of  dysentery 
are  the  chief  diseases  whose  infection  it  is  generally 
admitted  can  live  in  water.  In  addition,  about  ten  years 
ago,  the  writer  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the  term 
malaria,  signifying  bad  air,  is  a  misnomer,  and  that 
diseases  of  tliis  class  are  very  largely,  if  not  exclusively, 
conveyed  in  water.  Towns  taking  their  public  water- 
supply  from  ponds  or  streams  having  distinctly  malarial 
surroundings  liave  become  subject  to  such  fevers  although 
previously  free  from  them. 

The  manner  of  spreading  of  the  diseases  which  have 
been  named  originates  two  classes  of  dangers.  If  water 
be  taken  from  the  vicinity  of  human  habitations  there  is 
liability  to  contamination  from  excreta  washed  into  the 
pond  or  stream  used  as  a  source  of  supply,  or,  in  the  case 
of  wells,  the  strong  action  of  powerful  pumps  may  origi- 
nate a  rapid  flow  underground  extending  many  hundreds 
of  feet  and  carrying  impurities  through  coarse  gravel  or 
open  crevices  in  the  soil.  That  this  is  the  fact  aj)p»*Hrs 
from  the  manner  in  which  ordinary  wells  at  a  coiusidera- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


304  THE  AMBEICAN  MONTHLY  [Oct. 

ble  distance  from  the  pumping  station  run  dry  when  the 
latter  is  in  operation*  Such  contamination  from  human 
sources  may  originate  typhoid  and  diarrheal  disorders. 
If,  on  the  other  hand,  the  source  of  supply  is  remote 
from  human  habitation  there  may  be  malarial  contamina- 
tion. Indeed  the  natural  habitat  of  malaria  is  in  new  and 
undrained  countries  and  virgin  soil.  In  view  of  this  dis- 
tribution of  the  disease  it  is  surprising  that  well-drained 
cities,  having  perfect  sewers,  should  yield  a  certain  per- 
centage of  malarial  fevers  until  the  source  of  their  wat^jr- 
supply  is  noted,  it  being  in  such  cases,  as  a  rule,  some 
pond  or  stream  in  whose  vicinity  these  diseases  are  pre- 
valent. Shallow  wells  in  alluvial  soil  also  may  yield 
malarial  infection.  It  is  said  that  since  the  substitution 
of  deeper  artesian  borings  for  such  wells  there  has  been 
a  notable  decrease  of  malarial  diseases  in  some  parts  of 
the  Southern  States  of  North  America. 

In  many  localities  it  is  difl8cult,  if  not  impossible,  to 
secure  an  adequate  supply  of  water  free  from  the  forms 
of  contamination  to  which  reference  has  been  made.  This 
necessitates  some  system  of  purification. 

It  has  been  discovered  recently  that  there  is  an  antag- 
onism between  disease  germs  and  what  are  known  as 
nitrifying  organisms,  which  produce  nitrates  and  nitrites 
in  the  soil.  Advantage  has  been  taken  of  this  to  insti- 
tute an  intermittent  process  of  filtration.  Water  con- 
taining the  bacteria  that  it  is  desired  to  destroy  is  allowed 
to  run  into  a  filter  composed  of  sand,  containing  an 
abundance  of  nitrifying  organisms,  and  instead  of  being 
drawn  off  immediately  is  allowed  to  stand  for  a  suflScient 
length  of  time  to  permit  the  destruction  of  the  disease 
germs  by  their  natural  foes. 

Such  filtration  as  that  just  described  is  but  the  perfec- 
ting of  natural  processes.  Alternation  of  rainfall  and 
dry  weather  operates  substantially  on  the  same  plan, 
tending  to  purify  the  ground  water  in  the  soil  from  infec- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  306 

tion  and  making  wells  possible.  Thus  in  localities  where 
artificial  filter  beds  are  impracticable  it  may  be  possible 
to  resort  to  wells  with  similar  results.  Experimental 
borings  are  required  in  order  to  determine  whether  the 
quantity  of  water  is  adequate  and  whether  the  soil  through 
which  it  percolates  is  adapted  to  secure  its  purification. 
This  being  done  and  the  system  established,  the  inter- 
mittent action  of  the  pumps,  running  a  part  of  each  day 
like  intermittent  filtration,  yields  a  much  purer  supply 
than  could  be  had  in  any  other  way.  A  point  to  be 
guarded  against  is  the  influx  of  surface  water,  which  is 
specially  liable  to  contain  malarial  infection  as  well  as 
other  impurities.  To  this  end,  numerous  small  wells, 
consisting  of  iron  pipes  put  down  to  the  proper  depth 
and  having  perforations  over  a  space  of  six  or  eight  feet 
from  their  lower  extremities,  coveted  with  fine  wire 
gauze,  may  be  employed.  Another  plan  that  may  serve 
is  to  have  a  siugle  large  well,  twenty  feet  or  more  in 
diameter.  A  convenient  method  of  construction  of  such 
a  well  is  by  the  use  of  a  curb,  built  up  in  a  hexagonal  or 
octagonal  form,  of  plank  laid  flatwise  and  spiked  one  upon 
the  other  in  layers.  If  such  a  curb  be  made,  slightly 
smaller  towards  the  top,  it  can  be  carried  down  success- 
fully through  almost  any  sort  of  soil  and  stoned  up. 

It  has  been  thought  best  to  enter  somewhat  into  such 
details  as  have  been  indicated,  because  they  illustrate  the 
principles  involved  in  improvement  of  water  supply, 
especial  reference  having  been  had  throughout  to  locali- 
ties whose  resources  are  limited.  The  adaptation  of 
laboratory  results  to  practical  uses  is  the  point  specially 
sought  to  be  accomplished  in  this  brief  summary.  The 
sanitary  engineer,  the  practising  physician  and  the 
skilled  microscopist  are  upon  common  ground  in  these 
studies. 

At  the  present  stage  of  progress  it  must  be  admitted 
however,  that  serious  imperfections  are  unavoidable  in  the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


306  THE  AMERICAN  MOi^tHLY  [Oct. 

hest  systems  of  water  supply  available  in  many  localities. 
This  being  the  case,  household  methods  of  purification 
require  to  be  taken  into  the  account.  That  preferred  by 
the  writer  is  as  follows :  The  water  is  boiled  and  allowed 
to  stand  in  a  covered  stoue  jar  until  all  sediment  has 
deposited.  It  is  then  transferred  to  ordinary  air-tight 
glass  fruit  jars,  a  lot  of  which,  having  convenient  modes 
of  fastening,  are  kept  for  the  purpose.  When  put  in  an 
ice  chest  or  cool  cellar  such  water  comes  out  beautifully 
clear,  sparkling  and  palatable.  Such  water  has  no 
unpleasant  flavor  unless  kept  too  long,  and  even  this 
might  be  avoided  by  sterilising  the  jars  and  filling  them 
with  the  water  while  hot,  which  would  require  reheating 
after  the  sediment  is  removed.  Practically  there  is  no 
necessity  for  this  extra  trouble.  Certainly  all  the  waters 
treated  by  the  writer  in  this  way  have  proved  to  be 
excellent,  and  there  can  be  no  questi(»n  as  to  their  free- 
dom from  the  infection  of  any  of  the  d'seases  that  have 
been  named  in  the  discussion.  It  may  be  noted  also 
that  substantially  the  same  principle  is  employed  when 
water  is  used  for  quenching  thirst  in  the  form  of  tea, 
cofi*ee,  soups  and  the  like.  It  is  the  boiling  that  makes 
such  waters  safe,  the  various  ingredients  added  serving 
to  please  an  acquired  taste  for  the  most  part.  Mankind 
is  accustomed  to  take  many  precautions  of  this  sort  with 
out  any  clear  ideas  of  the  reasons.  It  is  the  province  of 
advancing  civilization  to  enable  such  precations  to  be 
taken  intelligently,  and  consequently  more  perfectly,  and 
this  is  the  aim  of  the  present  discussion  in  regard  to 
water-supply. — Proc.  A.  M.  S. 


Exchange.— H.  W.  Parritt,  8  Whitehall  Park,  N.  Lod- 
don,  England,  wishes  to  exchange  microscopical  slides, 
books  and  objects  for  crustaceans,  echinoderms,  sponges, 
zoophytes,  shells  and  other  marine  objects,  fresh  or  dried. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  307 

The  Brain  of  the  Embryo  Soft-Shelled  Turtle, 

SUSANNA  PHELPS  GAGE,  Ph.  B., 

ITHACA,  N.  Y. 

In  a  paper  read  before  the  Microscopical  Society  last 
year,  upon  the  ^^Comparative  Morphology  of  the  Brain 
of  the  Soft-shelled  Turtle  (Amyda  mutica)  and  the  Eng- 
lish Sparrow  (Passer  domesticus*),"  certain  questions 
were  raised,  which  could  only  be  answered  by  studying 
the  development  in  the  soft-shelled  turtle,  as  :  When  and 
how  do  the  characteristic  features  of  the  brain  in  this 
group  of  turtles  arise  ?  When  and  how  do  those  fea- 
tures arise  which  distinguish  them  from  birds  ? 

Professor  Bigenmann,  who  was  present,  kindly  sent 
me  six  embryos  of  Aspidinectes,  a  closely  allied  genus  of 
the  turtle,  in  diflferent  stages  of  development.  Serial 
sections  were  made  of  the  heads  and  mesal  views  recon- 
structed. A  brief  summary  of  the  result  obtained  is 
given  below.  Fuller  statement,  with  illustration,  is 
reserved  until  more  material  is  studied. 

The  body  of  the  youngest  specimen  was  7  mm.  long ; 
the  form  generalized ;  the  face  short ;  the  diameter  of 
the  eye,  one-half  the  length  of  the  head.  A  narrow  cara- 
pace was  distinguishable  in  a  specimen,  with  length  of 
body  11  mm.  In  the  oldest  specimen  the  carapace  was 
16x11  mm.,  and  had  the  characteristic  leathery  appear- 
ance and  markings  of  the  adult.  The  snout  had  alsa  the 
elongated  form  of  the  adult.  The  feet  were  webbed.  The 
diameter  of  the  eye,  though  twice  as  great  as  in  the 
youngest  specimen,  was  only  one-third  the  length  of  the 
head. 

1.  As  seen  from  the  meson,  the  most  striking  dif- 
ference between  the  early  and  late  forms  of  the  brain 
is*    the  general   shape.     Taking   as    reference  points  the 

*  Tb A NS ACTIONS  American  MicroBCopical  Society,  Vol.  XVII.,    1896,  pp. 
IHSi — ^238, '5  plates. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


308  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Oct. 

center  of  the  geminum,  the  union  of  the  myel  with  the 
oblongata  and  the  tip  of  the  olfactory  lobe,  in  the 
youngest  embryo,  the  figure  formed  is  an  isoceles  tri- 
angle, in  the  succeeding  stages  changing  to  a  flattened 
triangle  by  the  elongation  of  the  base.  The  cephalic  limb 
of  the  triangle  increases  greatly,  while  the  folding  of  the 
caudal  part  of  the  brain  produces  an  actual  shortening 
of  the  caudal  limb  of  the  triangle  In  the  adult  Amyda 
the  flattening  of  the  triangle  has  proceeded  to  an  extreme. 
The  change  of  form  in  the  brain  is  apparently  greater 
between  the  time  when  the  external  appearance  of  the 
adult  is  e8tablished,as  in  the  oldest  embryo,  and  the  true 
adult  condition,  than  between  the  oldest  and  youngest  of 
the  above  described  embryos.  This  is  due  to  the  fact 
that  after  the  external  adult  appearance  is  complete  the 
cerebrum  and  the  cerebellum  both  acquire  their  largest 
comparative  growth. 

2.  At  the  constriction  occurring  in  the  brain-tube, 
between  the  postcommissure  and  the  floor  of  the  cranial 
flexure,  the  brain  shows  the  least  increase  in  size,  aa  shown 
by  diflFerent  measurements  upon  the  meson  of  the  embryo 
and  adult  brain.  This  stationary  condition  is  probably 
due  to  the  early  maturing  of  the  region. 

3.  The  union  of  the  olfactory  lobes  across  the  meson 
was  not  found  in  these  turtles  until  the  beginning  of  the 
carapace  was  distinguishable,  and  did  not  present  the 
comparative  extent  and  close  connection  of  the  adult 
until  the  oldest  embryo  had  the  adult  appearance.  That 
is,  as  was  found  with  the  sparrow,  the  union  across  the 
meson  is  of  late  occurrence  and  secondary  importance. 

4.  Those  parts  of  the  cerebrum,  apparently  connected 
with  olfaction,  the  hippocampal,  progress  with  equal 
step  with  the  olfactory  lobe,  and  not  until  the  oldest 
embryo  is  the  fimbrial  edge  of  the  hippocamp  and  its 
union  across  the  meson,  the  fornicommissure,  well  estab- 
lished.    The  late  appearance  of  this  commissure  is  con- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  309 

sonant  with  great  variation  in  diflferent  types,  but  this 
study  tends  to  corroborate  the  opinion  now  gaining 
ground,  that  this  commissure  in  the  lower  vertebrates  is 
not  a  callosum. 

5.  That  part  of  the  cerebrum  so  prominent  in  the 
adult,  the  caudatum,  or  elevated  portion  of  the  striatum, 
is  only  found  as  a  rather  inconspicuous  object  in  the  old- 
est embryo,  but  the  precommissure,  in  which  fibers  from 
the  upper  parts  of  the  striatum  cross,  arises  as  the  cara- 
pace begins  to  form. 

6.  In  the  roof  of  the  brain  the  postcommissure  is  a 
well-formed  landmark  in  the  earliest  of  the  embryos, 
while  the  commissure,  bounding  the  opening  of  the  epi- 
physis, the  supracommissure,  shows  as  a  mere  trace  in 
the  youngest  embryo  and  attains  a  disproportionate 
development  in  the  oldest.  A  similar  culmination  in 
growth  is  seen  in  the  oldest  embryo  in  the  associated  epi- 
physis, habenae  and  the  fiber  tract  extending  from  this 
region  to  the  cerebrum,  a  fact  apparently  indicating 
that  in  ancestors  of  this  group  having  comparatively  sim- 
ple brains  these  parts  were  of  more  importance,  for  in 
the  adult  turtle  they  are  overshadowed  by  the  later 
developing  parts, 

7.  The  membranous  roof  in  all  embryos  is  a  simple 
unfolded  membrane,  clearly  continuous  with  the  para- 
plexuses  of  the  cerebrum.  The  latter,  in  the  early 
stages,  are  simple  membranes,  which  show  folds  only 
when  the  carapace  begins  to  develop,  and  become  quite 
complex  in  the  oldest  embryo.  The  paraphysis,  at  the 
point  of  univm  of  the  diaplexus  with  the  paraplexuses,  is 
a  widely  open  tube  in  all  the  stages,  and  becomes  early 
convoluted. 

8.  The  medicommissure,  a  feature  which  is  found  in 
mammals  and  reptiles,  but  not  in  birds,  arises  in  this 
turtle  only  in  the  oldest  embryo,  in  this  being  like  mam- 
mals, in  which  it  also  appears  late,   and  showing  that 


Digitized  by 


Google 


310  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Oct. 

though  characteristic,  it  is  of  secondary  importance. 

9.  In  the  infundibular  region  of  the  embryo  are  seen 
distinct  folds  and  pits,  which  are  nearly  obliterated  in 
the  adult.  A  pair  of  protuberances,  dorsad  of  the  hypo- 
physis, occurs  in  the  younger  forms,  and  is  represented 
in  the  adult  by  a  single  mesal  notch.  Dorsad  of  the 
hypophysis,  occurs  in  the  younger  forms,  and  is  repre- 
sented in  the  adult  by  a  single  mesal  notch.  Dorsad  of  these 
a  mesal  protuberance,  lying  between  two  commissures, 
is  much  more  prominent  in  the  younger  specimens  before 
the  commissures  are  formed.  The  decision  upon  homol- 
ogies of  these  protrusions  of  the  wall  with  either  the 
albicans  of  the  higher  forms  or  the  hypoaria  of  fishes 
must  be  reserved,  there  are  details  of  difference  in  both. 

10.  In  the  turtle,  all  parts  connected  with  vision  are 
well  developed.  In  the  youngest  embryo  the  optic 
recess  is  clearly  traceable  to  the  eye  along  the  optic 
nerve,  as  the  remains  of  the  originally  open  vesicle. 
This  remnant  becomes  more  convoluted,  the  endymal  cells 
giving  an  almost  glandular  appearance,  in  the  stages 
when  the  carapace  begins  to  develop.  In  the  oldest 
embryo  this  appearance  is  gone,  but  the  numerous  cells 
of  the  chiasma  in  the  adult  may  represent  this  convolu- 
ted vesicular  remnant. 

11.  The  optic  geminum  does  not  lose  the  form  of  a 
thin  roofed  single  vesicle  until  in  the  oldest  embryo  a 
mesal  depression  occurs,  forming  the  paired  geminums, 
and  at  the  same  time  an  extensive  union  across  the  meson 
by  means  of  the  geminal  commissure,  and  a  division  of 
the  cells  into  two  layers  arise.  The  late  formation  of 
this  solid  roof  of  the  geminums  is  interesting  in  connec- 
tion with  the  fact  that  in  birds  the  roof  is  a  membrane. 

12.  In  the  latest  embryo  the  cerebellum  is  only  just 
beginning  its  growth  as  a  great  mesel  feature,  though 
considerably  earlier  it  is  apparent  as  a  lateral  organ. 
In  the  youngest  embryo  its  appearance  is  like  that  of 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICHOSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  311 

the  Amphibia^  having  a  small  mesal  portion.  With  its 
growth  caudad  it  revolves,  so  to  speak,  about  a  fixed 
point,  carrying  the  thin  membranous  wall  before  it,  and 
thus  forms  the  folded  metaplexus  of  the  adult.  The  old- 
est embryo  shows  this  admirably. 

13.  The  floor  of  the  oblongata  undergoen  wonderful 
changes,  from  a  comparatively  thin-walled  condition  in 
the  youngest  embryo,  through  one  in  which  series  of 
rounded  thickenings  occur,  these  in  turn  becoming  uni- 
ted, as  the  carapace  developes,  to  form  the  continuous 
thickened  floor  of  the  oldest  embryo. 

From  the  above  it  is  seen  that  partial  answers  to  the 
questions  mentioned  are  now  possible. 

(a.)  The  general  form  of  the  brain  of  the  soft-shelled 
turtle  wherein  it  difiers  markedly  from  the  other  descri- 
bed turtles  is  only  acquired  after  the  embryo  has  the 
external  appearance  of  the  adult,  the  great  relative 
growth  of  the  cerebrum  and  cerebellum  taking  place 
after  that  period.     (Sec.  1,  2.) 

(b.)  The  union  of  the  olfactory  lobes  across  the  meson 
and  the  large  caudal  growth  of  the  cerebellum  seem  to  be 
characteristic  of  this  group  of  turtles,  and  it  was  found 
that  both  are  of  late  development,     (Sec.  3,  12.) 

(c.)  The  broad  distinctions  between  tht  bird  and  rep- 
tile brain  are,  that  the  latter  possesses  a  medicommissure 
and  a  solid  roof  to  the  gerainums;  in  the  soft-shelled  tur- 
tle both  of  these  features  arise  in  the  late  embryo. 

That  is,  in  the  brain  not  only  those  features  which 
distinguish  the  group  of  turtles,  but  which  most  eviden- 
tly distinguish  birds  from  reptiles,  arise  in  this  turtle 
about  the  time  the  external  form  is  characteristic  of  the 
genera.  The  brain,  however,  lags  somewhat  behind  the 
body  in  assuming  characteristic  features. 

Other  questions  arose  as  to  tiie  appearance  of  the  nidi 
and  their  relation  to  sulci,  which  cannot  yet  be  answere 
conclusively. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


312  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Oct. 

Od  the  Seeds  and  Testa  of  Some  Cruciferae. 

By  I,.  H.  PAMMEL. 

A3iES,   IOWA. 
WITH  FRONTISl-IECE. 
Continued  from  page  274^ 

Camelina  sativa,  Crantz. 

Pod  obovoid,  four  to  six  lines  long,  smooth,  reticula- 
ted, margined  from  beak  down  along  placental  side  with 
smaller  ribs  between  them.  Seeds  light  brown,  one  line 
long,  minutely  pitted,  caulicle  prominent,  running 
lengthwise  with  a  prominent  groove  between  it  and  the 
cotyledons.     Cotyledons  incumbent.* 

Seed  coats  consisting  of  four  layers.  The  outer  epi- 
dermal cells  not  much  longer  than  wide,  on  the  addition 
of  water  become  mucilaginous  and  well  stratified.  On  the 
addition  of  chloral  hydrate  stratification  more  evident. 
The  cell-walls  diflferentiated  into  several  different  sub- 
stances. The  second  layer  not  always  developed.  Cells 
oi  third  layer  with  thick  walls  and  brown  pigment,  fol- 
lowed by  a  narrow  layer  of  thick  walled  brown  cells. 
The  first  row  of  cells  of  endosperm,  rather  thick  walled, 
filled  with  protein  grains,  the  other  layers  of  unequal 
development,  cells  elongated,  thickwalled ;  followed  by 
cells  of  embryo;  these  contain  protein  grains  and  fat. 
EXPLANATION  OF  THE  FIGURES. 

I.  Jaly  text,  page  209,  (RepriDt,  page  7).  Brassica  nigra:  a,  madlag- 
iDons  ceU  before  the  addition  of  water;  b,  after  addition  of  water;  3,  brown 
tbick-waUed  ceUs;  4,  parenchyma  cells;  5,  alearone  layer;  5-6,  endosperm; 
7,  cells  of  embryo.  B.  sinapistram:  c,  mncilage  cells  expanded;  4,  endos- 
perm in  figure  to  tbe  leHi,  embryo  in  figure  to  the  ri^Ht. 

II.  September  frontispiece  (Reprint,  page  12).  Sisymbrinmaltissimam, 
S.  officinale  and  Capsella  bursa-pastoris:  The  upper  row  of  cells  consists  of 
mucilage  cells;  the  lower  row  contains  embryos;  about  midway  between 
may  be  seen  the  endosperm. 

III.  September  text  (Reprint,  page  13).  Lepidiam  virginicum.  1,  mucil- 
age cells;  3»  4,  endosperm;  5,  cells  of  embryo;  b,  mucilage  cells  when 
moistened. 

IV.  October  frontispiece  (Reprint,  page  15).  Brassica  alba:  Upper  row, 
mucilage  cells;  third  and  fourth  rows,  endosperm.     Camelina  sativa:  upper 

♦Harz.  I.  c  p.  924.     Fig.  71. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  313 

row,  macilage  cells;  third  row,  thick-walled  cells;  fourth  row,  alearone  cells; 
lower  row,  cells  of  embryo.     Figares  on  right  of  plate,  macilage  cells  when 
moistened. 
All  the  figares  were  drawn  to  the  same  scale. — X320. 


A  Partial  Bibliography  on  Mustard  Seeds. 

The  writer  wishes  to  express  his  obligations  to  Prof. 
Wm.  Trelease  of  the  Missouri  Botanical  Garden,  who 
allowed  free  access  to  the  library  of  the  garden  for  the 
purpose  of  completing  this  list. 

1.  Abraham,  Max;  Bau  und  Btwickelungsgeschichte 
der  Wandverdickungen  in  den  Samenoberhautzellen  ein- 
iger  Cruciferen.  Inaugural  Dissertation.  Separate  from 
Pringsheim's  Jahrbuecher  fur  wissenschaftliche  Botanik, 
vol.  xvi.  pp.  45. 

2.  Arbaumont,  J.  D.,  Nouvelles  observations  sur  les 
cellules  a  mucilage  des  graines  de  Cruciferes.  Ann.  des 
sciences  naturelles  Ser.  7,  1893,  Vol.  II.  Separate,  pp. 
60.     One  plate  (9). 

2a.     Baillon.     Histoire  des  plantes.     Vol.   Ill,   p.  220. 

3.  Behrens,  The  Microscope  in  Botany.  English 
translation  by  A.  B.  Hervey,  Boston,  1885,  pp.  327-367. 

4.  Berg.  Anatomischer  Atlas  zur  pharmaceutischen 
Waarenkuude,  Berlin,  1865. 

5.  Caspary,  R.,  Genera  Plantanim,  Flor.  Germ.  xvii. 
Bonn,  1853. 

6.  Caspary,  R.,  Bot.  Zeit,  1852,  p.  663. 

7.  Caspary,  R.,  Bot.  Zeit.  185i,  p.  390. 

8.  Dahmen,  Max,  Anatomische  und  Physiologische 
Untersuchung  uber  den  Funiculus  der  Saraeu.  luagu- 
ral  Diss.  Erlangen.  Separate  from  Priugslieim's  Wiss. 
Bot.     Vol.  xxiii,  Heft  3,  pp.  38.   PI.  xx,  xxi,  xxii. 

8a.     DeCandoUe.     Memoire  sur  la  Famiile  des    Cruci- 
feres, p.  39. 

9.  Detmer,  W.,  Physiologische  chemische  Unter- 
euchung   uber  die  Keiniung   oelhaltiger   Samen   und  die 


Digitized  by 


Google 


314  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Oct. 

Vegetation  von  Zea  Mays.  Dissertation.  Jena.  1875. 

10.  Flueckiger,  F  .A.  Lehrbuch  der  Pharmakognosie 
des  Pflanzenreiches.  Berlin,  1867. 

11.  Flueckiger  and  Hanbury,  Pharmacographia;  A 
History  of  the  Principal  Drugs  of  Vegetable  Origin  met 
with  in  Great  Britain  and  British  India.  Loudon, 
Macmillan  &  Co.,  1879,  pp,  565-69. 

12.  Flueckiger  and  Tschirch.  The  Principles  of  Phar- 
macogonosy  (English  translation  by  Prof.  Power),  New 
York,  Wra.  Wood  &  Co.    1887,  pp.   163  70. 

13.  Frank,  A.  B.,  Ueberdie  Anatomische  Bedeutung 
und  die  Entstehun^  der  vegetabilischen  Schleirae.  Pring- 
sheini's  Jahrbuecher  fur  wissenschaftliche  Botanik.  1866, 
Vol.  V.  p.   161. 

14.  Garcke,  A.,  Pharmakognosie  des  Pflanzen-und 
Theirreiches,  von  Dr.  0.  Berg,  4  Aufl.  von  Dr.  A.  Garcke. 

15.  Grew,  N.,  Anatomie  des  plantes,  2nd.  Ed.  Paris, 
lr)79. 

16.  Guignard,  L.,  Recherches  sur  la  localisation  des 
principes  aciifs  des  Cruciferes.  Journal  de  Botaniques, 
1890,  p.   385,  p.  412,  p.  435. 

17.  Guignard,  L.,  Recherches  sur  le  developpeinent 
de  la  graine. 

18.  Hager  :  Botanischer  Unterricht  in  160  Sectionen 
fur  angehende  Pharmaceuten  und  studirende  Mediciner, 
3rd   edition,  Berlin,  1885.  p.  450.     Fig.   675. 

19.  Hanausek,  T.  If.  Die  Nahrungs-und  Genussmittel 
aus  dem  Ptlanzenreiche,  Berlin,  Kassel,  1884,  pp.  485, 
100  wood  cuts.  Vol.  V.  of  allegemeine  Waarenkunde  una 
RohstofFe. 

20.  Ilarz,  C.  I).  Lnndwirthschaftliche  Samenknnde, 
2  vols.,  Paul  Parey,  1885,  vol.  ii.  p.  555. 

21.  Ilenkel  :  Ilandbuch  der  Pharmakognosie  ^^'^ 
Pflanzen-  und  Theirreiches.     Tuebingen,  1867. 

22.  Heraud  :  Nouvelle  Dictionnaire  des  planter, 
Medicinales,  Paris,  1875. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  316 

23.  Hof meister,  W.  Ueber  die  zu  Gallerte  aufquellen- 
(len  Zellen  der  Aussenflaeche  von  Samen  und  Perikarpien. 
Ber.  d.  Koen.  Saechs  Gesellsch.  d.  Wissensch.  Sitzungsbe. 
20  Feb.  1853.  pp.  18-37. 

24.  Iloehnel:  Ban  der  Samenschalen  der  Cultivirten 
Brassica-Arten.  Wissenscbaftliche  praktiscbe  Unter- 
suchung  aiif  dem  Gebiete  des  Pflanzenbaiies.  Fr.  Haber- 
landt.  Vol.   i,  p.  171. 

26.  Holfert,  Johannes.  Die  Naehrschicht  der  Samens- 
chalen. Inaugural  diss.  pp.  36.  Univ.  of  Erlangen, 
Separate  from  Flora,  1890,  Heft  7. 

26.  Kiaerskou  :  Om  Frokallens  Bejggning  bos  Nogle 
"Indiake  Raps-Sorter'*  Botanisk  Tidsskrift  Vol.  xiv,  1885, 
p.  249. 

26a.  Sur  la  Structure  du  testa  de  quelques  de  "Colza 
indien."    Botanisk  Tidssk.  Vol.  xiv,  pp.  17-21. 

27.  Klencke  :  lUustrirtes  Lexikon  der  Verfaelscbun- 
gen  der  Nahrungsmittel  und  Getraenke,  etc.,  2nd.  edition, 
pp.  750.  424  figs.  Leipzig,  1879.  See  pp.  389-393,  figs. 
222,  etc. 

28.  Kratzmann  :     Die  Lehre  von  Samen  der  Pflanzen. 

29.  Kuetzing,  F.  T.  Grundzuege  der  philosophischen 
Botanik,  2  vols.     Leipzig,  F.  A.  Brockhaus,  Vol.  ii.  p,  237. 

30.  Luerssen,  Chr.  :  Handbuch  der  Sysiematischen 
Botanik.  Vol.1.  Phanerogamen,  Leipzig,  H.  Haessel,  pp. 
1229.     See  p.   642. 

31.  Marek,  G. :  Das  Saatgut  und  dessen  Einfluss  nuf 
Menge  und  Guete  der  Ernte.  pp.  193,  figs.  74.  Vienna, 
1875,  Carl  Gerold's  Sohn. 

32.  Moeller,  Josef.  :  Mikroskopie  der  Nahrungs-  und 
Genussmittel  aus  dem  Pflanzenreiche,  Berlin,  Julius 
Springer,   1866,  p.  173,  figs.  144,  145. 

33.  Xobbe,  Friedrich :  Handbuch  der  Samenkunde, 
See  p.  72,  p.  631.     Berlin,  1876. 

34.  Oudemann :  Pharinacopa*a  Xeerlandica,  Rotter- 
dam, 1864-56. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


3/4  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Oct. 

36.  Popovici,  Al.  P.:  Ueber  Struktur  und  Eatwicke- 
lung  Waudverdickungen,  Bonn,  A.  Henry.  1893,  pp.31, 
plates  II. 

36.  Royleand  Headland:  A  Manual  of  Materia  Med- 
ica  and  Therapeutics  of  the  British  Pharmacopoea,  Lon- 
don, 1868. 

37.  Sachs,  Julius:  Experimental  Physiologie  der 
Pflanzen,  p.  368. 

38.  Schenk:  Botanische  Notizen,  Wuerzburger  Natur- 
wissenschaftliche  Zeitung,  Vol.  ii. 

39.  Schimper:  Anleitung  zur  MikroskopischenUnter- 
suchung  der  Nahrungs-  und  Genussmittel,  Jena,  1886, 
G.  Fischer,  pp.  140  and  79  wood  cuts.  See  pp.  79,  94, 
98, 110,  figs.  52,  58,  74. 

40.  Schroeder:Untersuchung  der  Samen  der  Brassica 
Arien  nnd  Varietaten.  Landwirthschaftliche  Versochs. 
Station,  1871,  Vol.  xiv,  p.  179. 

41.  Sempolowski:  Uber  den  Bau  der  schale  land- 
wirthschaftliche wichtiger  Sameu.  Landw,  Jahrbuecher. 
Vol.  iii,  pp.  824-866.  PI.  vii. 

41a.  Sempolowski:  Beitraege  zur  Kenntniss  desBaues 
der  Samt^nschale,  Inaugural  Dissertation.     Leipzig,  1874. 

42.  Spatzier,  Wilhelm:  Ueber  das  Auftrelern  und 
die  physiologische  Bedeutung  des  Myrosins  in  der 
Pflanze.  Inaugural  Dissertation.  Univ.  Erlangen. 
Separate,  pp.  40,  plates  III.  Pringsheim's  Jahrbuecher 
fur  Wissensch.     Botauik.  XXV,  Heft  1. 

43.  Strandmark:  Bidrag  till  Kaennedomenom  froska- 
lels  byggnad. 

44.  Tietschert,  Carl.:  Keimungsversuche  rait  Roggeu 
und  Raps  bei  verschiedeu  tiefer  Unterbringung.  Halle, 
1872. 

45.  Tschirch,  A.:  Angewandte  PflaDzenanatomie:  ein 
HaDdbuch  zum  Studieren  des  anatomischen  Baaes  der  in 
der  Pharmacie  den  Geweben  der  landw.  und  den  bans- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  317 

shalte  benatzten  pflanzlichen  Rohetoff.     Vol.  I,  pp.    648 
614,  YieuDa  und  Leipzig. 

46.  Tschirch  A.  and  Oersterle.  Anatomischer  Atlas  der 
Pharmakoguosie  und  Nahrungsmittelkande.  Leipzig, 
Hermann  Tauchnitz,  F.  0.  Weigel. 

47.  Uloth :     Ueber  Pflanzenschieime  und   seine    Ent- 
tehang  in  den  Samenepidermis  von  Plantago  maritima 

und  Lepidium  8ativum,Flora  1876,  pp.  193-409,  PI.  iv. 

48.  Vogl :  Nahrungs-  und  Genussmittel,  p,  116,  fig. 
97. 

49.  Wiesner,  J. :  Rohstoffe  des  Pflanzenreiches,  p.  721 
Leipzig,  Engelmann  1873,  pp.  846. 


A  Cause  of  Foul  Water  in  Reservoirs. 

By  ARTHUR  M.  EDWARDS,  M.  D., 

KEWABK,   N.   J. 

To  the  presence  of  a  bacillarian,  a  diatom  in  fact,  is 
due  a  certain  fouling  of  drinking  water.  Prof.  Leeds, of 
the  Stevens  Institute  of  Technology  has  given  to  it  the 
name  of  Asterionella  flavor.  In  the  report  on  the  city 
water  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  it  is  detailed.  The  results 
arrived  at  are  microscopically  and  technically  of  great 
value. 

By  order  of  the  board  constituting  the  department  of 
the  city  works,  on  September  4,  1896,  the  Engineer  was 
requested  *Ho  make  such  examination  of  the  Brooklyn 
'Water  supply  as  he  should  deem  necessary,  in  order  to 
determine  the  cause  of  the  complaints  made  in  regard  to 
its  quality,  and  the  remedy  to  be  applied. 

Daily  examinations  showed  that  immediate  action  was 
nec^-'Ssary.  The  objectionable  appearance,  taste  and 
odor  during  the  raid-summer  periods  has  been  essentially 
due  to  the  protista,  a  plant  growth  known  as  Asterionella. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


318  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Oct. 

It  has  nothing  whatsoever  to  do  with  artificial  causes 
like  drainage,  sewage  or  contamination.  It  is  due  to 
purely  natural  causes,  the  first  being  the  microscopical 
chemical  constituents  of  the  water,  and  the  second,  and 
even  more  important,  being  the  physical  conditions  in 
which  the  water  is  placed  after  entering  the  reservoirs. 
The  important  questions  to  consider  are : 

I.  What  is  the  Asterionella,  and  what  is  peculiar 
about  it  ? 

II.  What  is  there  in  the  composition  of  the  Brooklyn 
water,  or  the  mode  of  handling  and  storing  it,  that  has 
fitted  it  especially  for  the  development  of  the  Asterio- 
nella? 

III.  How  can  growth  of  this  organism  be  prevented  ? 

I.  Asterionella  derives  its  name  from  its  form,  being 
a  star-shaped  organism  usually  3-  or  4-rayed.  It  is  a 
diatom,  a  bacillarian,  usually  called  an  alga,  although 
more  properly  called  a  protiston.  The  latter  is  distin- 
guished from  most  other  algaB  by  being  enclosed  or  hav- 
ing a  skeleton  or  envelope  capsule  of  silica,  or  soluble 
silica  hydrate.  This  particular  genus  has  the  further 
peculiarity  of  secreting  a  substance  in  the  nature  of  an 
oil  which  possesses  a  taste  and  odor  so  characteristic 
that,  for  lack  of  a  better  name,  is  is  called  Asterionella 
flavor.  It  is  a  combination  of  fishy,  salty  and  oily  tastes, 
its  odor  resembling  that  of  certain  varieties  of  geranium. 

Although  some  of  the  samples  of  the  reservoir  water 
contained  as  many  as  twenty  million  individuals  to  the 
gallon,  yet  it  would  require  many  hundred  gallons  of  the 
water  to  get  enough  of  the  oily  product  which  imparts 
taste  and  odor,  to  work  upon  in  the  laboratory  to  accu- 
rately determine  its  nature.  In  many  of  its  properties 
it  resembles  trimethylamine. 

In  the  month  of  August,  when  the  trouble  was  at  its 
worst,  the  water  had  a  white  appearance   and  was  filled 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  319 

with  minute  white  threads.  On  standing,  it  threw  down 
a  iloculent  deposit  of  a  stringy,  whitish  or  yellowish 
white  matter.  Under  the  microscope,  this  deposit  was 
found  to  consist  of  innumerable  Asterionella  matted 
togetehr  with  other  diatoms  strung  together  in  threads 
the  other  diatoms,  being  more  especially  Melosira,  Tabel- 
laria  and  Synedra.  These  thread-like  forms  have  not 
been  noticed  to  produce  the  objectionable  taste  and  odro 
secreted  by  the  Asterionella,  and,  moreover,  they  were 
vastly  less  abundant.  The  water  itself  was  colorless,  the 
apparent  color  being  due  to  the  suspended  organisms. 
The  oily  taste-producing  substance  is  volatile  and  cannot 
be  gottou  rid  of  by  distillation.  It  distills  over  with  the 
steam,  giving  to  the  distilled  water  a  faint  whitish 
appearance  or  opalescence,  and  communicates  to  it  the 
same  characterislic  taste  and  smell. 

Neither  can  it  be  got  rid  of  by  filtration  through  paper 
or  cotton  or  a  thin  layer  of  sand.  Sand  will  arrest  nearly 
all  the  Asterionella  and  then  on  being  washed  with  pure 
water,  the  water  used  in  washing  and  containing  the 
plant  will  be  found  to  have  taken  up  the  taste  and  odor. 
To  remove  both  the  Asterionella  and  all  thd  taste  and 
odor  arising  from  it,  it  is  necessary  to  filter  through 
animal  charcoal  or  thorough  a  properly  constructed  sand 
filter  of  sufficient  depth. 

The  most  characteristic  feature  of  the  diatom  is  its 
envelope  of  silica.  There  are  many  other  kinds  of  mic- 
roscopic organisms  represented  in  the  different  portions 
of  the  Brooklyn  water  supply,  such  as  green  alg»,  the 
bluish  green  algSB  and  the  fungi,  Rhizopods,  Rotifers, 
Crustaceans,  etc.,  but  none  of  these  are  characterized  by 
the  presence  of  silica,  and  do  not  in  the  same  sense  im- 
peratively demand  it  as  a  constituent  of  their  food. 
Moreover,  the  number  of  non-silex-secreting  organisms 
is  insignificant  when  compared  with  the  stupendous 
number  of  diatoms.     Thus  Prof.  Leeds  says,  but  he  for- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


320  THE  AMBBICAN  MONTHLY  [Oct. 

getH  that  the  silica  in  the  Ioric»  of  bacillaria^  or  diatoms, 
is  in  a  very  soluble  form  and  bacillaria  are  also  present 
in  all  water,  marine,  brackish  and  fresh,  the  world  over. 
Silica  can  also  be  dissolved  when  in  the  crystaline  form, 
as  clear,  transparent  rock  crystal.  It  is  very  likely  that  in 
this  manner  silica  comes  into  solution  and  not  by  the  ac- 
tion of  alkali,  potash  or  soda,  which  are  also  common  in 
all  soils.  But,  he  says,  ''such  being  the  case  there  must 
be  a  great  abundance  of  dissolved  silica  in  the  Brooklyn 
water,  and  something  in  the  nature  of  the  water-shed 
which  enables  it  to  impart  the  silica.  As  a  matter  of 
fact,  the  ponds  and  streams  contributing  to  the  Brooklyn 
supply  have  sides  and  bottoms  of  sand,  which  is  silica  in 
an  undissolved  form."  But  silica  is  always  soluble! 
''Moreover  all  the  water  has  an  alkaline  reaction  and  is 
capable,  therefore,  of  dissolving  silica  and  holding  it  in 
a  soluble  form.  The  wells,  indeed,  are  the  chief  source  of 
the  silex  of  the  Brooklyn  water.  The  complete  analysis 
of  the  mineral  constituents  given  later  shows  the  wells  to 
contain  1.5  parts  per  100,000  of  silica.  But  by  dilution  with 
the  surface  waters  containing  relatively  less,  the  silica  in 
the  combined  supply  is  only  about  half  as  much.  But 
even  then,  it  amounts  to  9  per  cent  of  the  total  mineral 
matter  present.  This  large  amount  is  more  than  ample 
for  the  nutriment  of  the  enormous  number  of  silicious 
algsB  which  thrive  and  multiply  in  the  Brooklyn  resevoirs 
and  distributing  mains. 

Where  do  these  Bacillaria  come  from?  A  microscop- 
ical examination  of  the  water  from  several  Brooklyn  shal- 
low wells,  shows  a  few  Bacillaria,  the  Asterionella,  how- 
ever, being  found  but  once.  From  one  basin  however 
they  were  plentiful,  b^ing  6,400  per  cubic  centimetre. 
The  sample  taken  from  the  centre,  but  at  the  bottom  of 
the  resevoir,  at  the  same  time,  contained  11,616  and  the 
efflux  9,552  Asterionella. 

Besides  the  silica,  what  else  in  the  way  of  food  do  the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICE08C0PICAL  JOURNAL.  321 

Bacillaria  require?  Multiplied  observations  in  many 
localities  have  shown  that  such  a  stupendous  growth  as 
the  reservoirs  exhibited  last  summer  is  possible  only 
when  there  is  present  an  abundant  supply  pf  food  in  the 
form  of  assimilable  nitrogen. 

Why  should  this  transformation  of  ammonia,  nitrites 
and  nitrates  into  nitrogen  and  the  immense  multiplica- 
tion of  Asterionella  take  place  in  the  reservoir,  and  not 
in  some  pond  or  stream  where  Asterionella  are  found, 
and  where  abundance  of  food  is  likewise  present?  To 
explain  this  it  is  necessary  to  have  recourse  to  what  is 
known  of  the  habits  of  life  of  the  Asterionella  in  cases 
where  its  enormous  multiplication^  along  with  the  ac- 
companying taste  and  odor  have  been  observed.  Its 
multiplication  isvcssentially  favored  by  abundant  access 
of  light;  by  a  gentle,  tremulous  motion  in  the  water,  and 
by  storage  in  shallow  reservoirs.  All  of  these  conditions 
exist  in  an  convenient  degree  in  the  Brooklyn  reservoirs. 
Together  with  the  kind  and  quantity  of  food  they  are 
ample  to  explain  what  occurred  in  an  aggravated  form 
last  summer,  what  is  observable  now,  although  to  a  far 
lesser  extent,  and  what  will  occur  at  different  seasons  in 
the  future  until  the  physical  conditions  that  render  the 
occurrence  possible  have  been  removed. 

So  far  as  is  known  the  only  remedy  which  has  proved 
effectual  has  been  that  of  excluding  the  light,  and  con- 
verting the  reservoir  into  a  substantially  subterranean 
basin.  The  proposal  to  aerate  the  water,  which  was  ad- 
vocated last  summer,  was  fortunately,  not  entertained. 
Prof.  Leeds  speaks  with  the  more  positiveness  upon  the 
subject  inasmuch  as  he  introduced  the  mechanical  aera- 
tion of  water  supplies,  and  has  seen  its  introduction 
followed  by  the  happiest  results  in  cases  where  condi- 
tions favorable  to  stagnation  were  dominant.  But  the 
reverse  of  such  conditions  exists  in  the  present  instance, 
and  the  aeration  of  the  water  in  the  Brooklyn  reservoirs 


Digitized  by 


Google 


322  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Oct. 

with  its  accompanying  large  expense,  would  result  only 
m  intensifying  the  trouble.  Neither  will  filtration  of 
the  waters  before  they  enter  the  reservoirs  answer.  In 
fact  he  thinkfii^that  the  Asterionella  is  the  chief  cause  of 
the  trouble.  I  have  taken  the  above  facts  from  Prof. 
Leed's  report  and  commend  it  to  the  attention  of  every 
one  interested  in  pure  drinking  water. 

Prof.  Leeds  says  that  the  Asterionella  flavor  is  from  a 
substance  which  in  many  of  its  properties  resembles 
trimethylamine,  and  trimethylamine  occurs  somewhat 
widely  distributed  in  nature.  Thus,  for  instance,  it  is 
found  in  various  plants,  as  the  Chenopoderium  vulvaria, 
Annica  montana,  Murcurialis  annua,  the  bloom  of  the 
hawthorn,  that  of  the  wild  cherry,  and  of  the  pear,  a.s 
well  as  in  ergot,  and  other  fungi  parasitic  on  cereals.  It 
also  occurs  in  various  animal  liquids,  and  especially  in 
herring-brine.  It  is  likewise  found  as  a  product  of  de- 
composition of  various  alkaloids,  and  amongst  the  pro- 
ducts of  dry  distilUation  of  nitrogenous,  organic  matter 
and  of  wood.  It  has  a  powerful  and  penetrating  char- 
acteristic fish-like  smell.  I  have  found  it  as  a  character- 
istic twice  of  Asterionella  in  the  season  when  ovulation 
takes  place  and  it  seems  to  be  characteristic  of  the  en- 
largement of  the  oil  globules  as  they  are  called,  or  ova 
as  I  designate  them. 

The  reproduction  of  the  Bacillaria  seems  to  be  this: 
As  the  individual  is  found,  it  contains,  besides  endo- 
chrome,  or  olive-colored  matter,  large  oil  globules  which 
are  transparent  and  look  extremely  like  drops  of  oil. 
These  are  colorless  and  permanent  so  that  when  the 
Bacillarian  individual  is  dried  up  the  endochrome  withers 
away  but  the  oil  globule  stays  and  when  the  individual 
is  acted  upon  by  acid,  the  oil  globule  is  not  so  readily 
acted  upon.  These  I  shall  show  are  ova  or  female  organs, 
as  the  individual  opens  there  appear  certain  minute  dots 
which  are  extremely  active  in  motion.     They   increase  in 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897] 


MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL. 


323 


quantity  and  at  one  stage  occupy  a  large  part  of  the  in- 
terior of  the  frustule,  the  endochrome  withering  away 
or  being  crowded  to  the  sides.  As  the  breeding  season 
approaches  the  interior  is  often  dotted  by  innumerable 
active  little  globules  and  two  or  sometimes  more  ova  or 
oil  globules.  Then  in  some  way  the  contact  of  the  an- 
thozoa,  as  I  have  called  these  active  little  globules,  and 
the  ova  takes  place.     How,  I  know   not  for  they   are  ex- 


AsterioneUa  flavor. 

tremely  minute  and  the  contact  is  only  momentary.  But 
sometime,  I  think  that  I  shall  see  how  the  contact  takes 
place.  At  this  time,  or  evolution,  the  characteristic  odor, 
the  formation  of  trimethylamine  smelling,  takes  place. 
This  is  the  ovulation  of  Bacillaria.  It  takes  place  in  all 
forms  more  or  less,  but  is  most  rapid  in  forms  which 
occur  in  such  enormous  quantities.  This  form  I  have 
found  to  be  as  rapid  as  any  in  coming  and  going.  Per- 
haps it  is  more  so  than  other  Bacillarian. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


324  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Oct. 

The  Microbe  of  Yellow  Fever. 

BY  GIUSEPPE  SANARELLI,  M.  D. 

MONTBVIDBO,  URUGUAY. 

The  best  way  to  demonstrate  not  only  the  presence, 
but  also  its  special  tendency  to  arrange  itself  in  small 
groups,  preferably  in  the  blood  capillaries,  consists  in 
placing  in  the  incubator,  at  37°  C.  for  twelve  hours,  a 
fragment  of  the  liver  taken  from  a  fresh  cadaver  in  order 
to  favor  the  multiplication  of  the  specific  microbe.  The 
yellow-fever  bacillus  grows  sufiBciently  well  in  all  the 
ordinary  culture  media.  In  common  gelatin  it  forms 
rounded  colonies,  transparent  and  granular,  which  dur- 
ing the  first  three  or  four  days  present  an  aspect  analog- 
ous to  that  of  leucocytes. 

The  granulation  of  the  colony  becomes  more  and  more 
pronounced,  appearing  ordinarily  as  a  nucleus,  central  or 
peripheral,  completely  opaque;  in  time  the  whole  colony 
grows  entirely  opaque.     It  never  liquefies  gelatin. 

In  beef  bouillon  the  bacillus  grows  quickly,  without 
forming  either  pellicles  or  deposits. 

On  blood  serum  solidified  it  grows  in  a  manner  almost 
imperceptible. 

Cultures  on  agar-agar  represent  for  the  "bacillus  icter- 
oides'*  a  means  of  diagnosis  of  the  first  order;  but  the 
demonstration  by  this  means  of  diagnosis  is  eflBcacious 
only  under  certain  determined  conditions. 

When  the  colonies  grow  in  the  incubator,  they  present 
an  appearance  that  does  not  differ  from  that  of  the  maj- 
ority of  the  other  species  of  microbes;  they  are  rounded, 
of  a  slightly  iridescent  gray  color,  transparent,  even  in 
surface,  and  regular  in  outline. 

If,  instead  of  causing  the  colonies  to  grow  in  the  incu- 
bator at  a  temperature  of  37°  C,  they  are  allowed  to 
evolve  at  a  temperature  of  from  20°--22°  C,  they  appenr 
like  drops  of  milk,  opaque,  projecting,  and  with  pearly 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  326 

reflections;  that  is  to  say,  they  are  completely  distinct 
from  those  grown  in  the  incubator. 

These  diflFerent  modes  of  evolution  can  be  used  for 
diagnosis  by  exposing  cultures,  first,  for  from  twelve  to 
sixteen  hours  to  the  temperature  of  the  incubator,  and 
afterward  ior  other  twelve  to  sixteen  hours  to  the  temper- 
ature of  the  air. 

This  done,  the  colonies  show  themselves  to  be  con- 
structed with  a  flat  central  nucleus,  transparent  and 
azure,  having  a  peripheral  circle  prominent  and  opaque. 
This  peculiarity,  which  may  be  considered  specific,  may 
be  made  evident  in  less  than  twenty-four  hdurs,  serving 
thus  to  establish  the  bacteriological  diagnosis  of  the 
"bacillus  icteroides." 

Apart  from  this  morphological  characteristic,  which 
suffices  of  itself  to  differentiate  the  microbe  of  yellow 
fever  from  all  others  previously  known,  the  "bacillus 
icteroides"  is  endowed  with  some  interesting  biological 
qualities. 

It  is  a  facultative  anaerobe,  and  does  not  resist  the 
Gram  stain;  it  ferments  insensibly  lactose,  more  actively 
glucose  and  saccharose,  but  is  unable  to  coagulate  milk; 
it  does  not  produce  indol,  and  is  very  resistant  to  drying; 
it  dies  in  water  at  60*^  C.  or  after  being  exposed  for  seven 
hours  to  the  solar  rays,  and  lives  for  a  long  time  in  sea 
water. 

The  microbe  of  yellow  fever  is  pathogenic  for  the 
greater  number  of  the  domestic  animals.  Few  microbes 
have  a  pathological  dominion  so  extended  and  so  varied. 
Birds  are  completely  refractory,  but  all  the  mamniiferous 
auimals  upon  which  I  have  experimented  have  shown 
themselves  more  or  less  susceptible. 

But  of  all  the  animals,  that  which  lends  itself  best  to 
showing  the  close  analogy,  anatomically  and  nosologi- 
cally,  between  experimental  yellow  fever  and  human  yel- 
low fever,  is  the  dog. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


326  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Oct 

The  virus  shoald  be  injected  iuto  a  vein.  The  morbid 
process  that  results  manifests  itself  almost  immediately, 
with  a  violence  of  symptoms  and  an  assemblage  of  les- 
ions which  recall  the  picture,  clinical  and  anatomical,  of 
human  yellow  fever. 

The  lesions  found  after  death  are  extremely  interest- 
ing, as  they  are  almost  identical  with  those  observed  in 
the  human  cadaver. 

Attention  is  called  before  everything  to  the  intense 
fatty  degeneration  of  the  liver.  The  hepatic  cell,  exam- 
ined in  a  fresh  state  with  a  little  osmic  acid,  appears 
completely  turned  into  fat,  as  it  is  in  human  victims  of 
yellow  fever;  the  yellow-fever  toxin,  as  we  shall  see 
later  is  a  true  specific  poison  to  the  hepatic  cell,  as  are 
phosphorus  and  arsenic.  A  complete  fatty  degeneration 
of  the  liver  may  be  affected  by  injecting  directly  into  it, 
through  the  abdominal  parietes,  a  fresh  culture  of  the 
specific  bacillus. 

The  kidney  shows  a  severe  fatty  degeneration,  accom- 
pained  by  lesions  of  acute  parenchymatous  nephritis, 
which  may  be  considered  the  direct  causes  of  the  anuria 
and  the  ursemic  Intoxication. 

The  digestive  apparatus  shows  lesions  of  hemorrhagic 
gastro-enteritis  as  intense  as  those  caused  by  poisoning 
with  cyanide  of  potassium.  They  are  completely  analog- 
ous to  those  in  man,  though  more  grave. 

A  bacteriological  fact  of  great  interest  in  the  yellow 
fever  of  the  dog  is  that  in  the  majority  of  cases  the 
**bacillus  icteroides"  is  found  in  the  blood  and  the  organs 
in  variable  quantity  and  in  a  state  of  absolute  purity;  at 
times,  it  is  found  associated,  as  in  man,  with  the  coli  bac- 
illus and  the  streptococcus. 

As  the  tendency  to  secondary  microbic  infections  has 
been  proved  even  in  the  yellow  fever  intoxication  of  the 
dog,  provoked  with  a  pure  culture,  filtered,  it  must  be 
concluded  that  the  yellow  fever  poison,  whether  by  itself 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  327 

or  whether  through  the  alterations  it  produces  in  the 
diflFerent  viscera,  and  especially  in  the  liver — which,  as  is 
well  known,  should  be  considered  the  organ  of  defense 
against  microbes — favors  in  the  dog  secondary  infections 
having  their  point  of  departure  in  the  intestinal  canal. 

This  is  an  important  point  of  resemblance  between  the 
yellow  fever  of  the  dog  and  that  of  man. 

From  the  results  of  the  first  part  of  the  investigations 
relative  solely  to  the  comparative  morphology,  biology, 
and  pathology  of  the  "bacillus  icteroides,'*  we  can  deduce 
some  fundamental  conclusions  concerning  the  etiology 
and  the  pathology  of  the  yellow  fever  of  man. 

Yellow  fever  is,  then,  an  infectious  disease,  due  to  an 
organism  well  defined  and  susceptible  of  being  cultivated 
in  the  common  artificial  nutritive  media. 

The  mi<;ro-organism,  which  I  have  designated  pro- 
visionally with  the  name  of  "bacillus  icteroides,"  can  be 
isolated,  not  only  from  the  cadaver,  but  also  during  the 
life  of  the  yellow  fever  patient. 

Its  isolation  presents  generally  difficulties,  sometimes 
invincible,  due  in  part  to  the  constant  presence  of  secon- 
dary infections,  and  in  part  to  tiie  relative  scarcity  of  the 
organism  in  the  body. 

These  secondary  infections,  due  almost  always  to  cer- 
tain species  of  microbes,  as  the  coli  bacillus,  the  strepto- 
coccus, the  staphylococcus,  the  proteus,  etc.,  may  appear 
in  the  organism  long  before  the  death  of  the  patient, 
which  is  of  ten  attributable  to  their  action  rather  than  to 
that  of  the  "bacillus  icteroides.'' — Med.  Record. 


Do  You  Want  Gold?  Everyone  wants  to  keep  posted 
on  Yukon,  the  Klondyke  and  Alaskan  gold  fields.  Send 
10  cents  for  large  Compendium  of  vast  Information  and 
large  color  map  to  Hamilton  Pub.  Co.,  Indianapolis,  Ind- 
iana. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


328  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Oci 

EDITORIAL. 

Benjamin  F.  Quinby,  of  Chicagro,  died  suddenly  at  Gos- 
hen, Ind.,  July  18,  1897,  aged  62  years.  He  was  born  in 
Concord,  N.  H.  and  moved  to  Chicago  in  1853,  having  pre- 
viously been  in  a  wholesale  grocery  in  Philadelphia.  For 
twenty  years  past  he  has  been  in  employ  of  Fuller,  Fuller 
&  Co. 

He  was  active  in  scientific  matters  and  was  one  of  the 
oldest  members  and  at  one  time  president  of  the  Illinois 
State  Microscopical  society.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the 
Academy  of  Science  of  Philadelphia,  and  that  of  Chicago, 
and  of  the  Royal  Microscopical  society  of  London.  He  was 
well  known  as  an  entomologist  and  his  microscopical  prep- 
arations on  insects  were  known  in  many  other  places  than 
Chicago. 

Life  in  Diamonds. — Professor  von  Schoen,  of  the  fac- 
ulty of  Naples  University,  and  Professor  Edward  Von 
Holstof  the  Chicago  University,  propose  to  obliterate  the 
line  of  demarkation  between  the  organic  world  and  dia- 
monds. They  have  made  photomicrographs,  which  views, 
says  the  Mineral  Collector,  sliow  the  crystal  in  its  birth, 
the  head  showing  forth  from  the  mother  crystal,  and  the 
course  is  followed  as  it  pushes  out  and  away.  The  crys- 
tal meets  another  one  from  a  different  mother.  The  two 
strike  at  each  other,  they  fight,  strive  and  clasp  with  each 
other.  It  is  a  case  of  the  survival  of  the  fittest.  One 
must  die.  No  two  crystals  from  the  same  mother  ever 
fight,  however,  no  matter  where  they  meet. 


nCROSGOPICAL  APPARATUS. 

Photo-Micrography.— The  following  is  perhaps  the 
most  simple  method  of  doing  what  is  required.  Take  a 
smoothly-planed  board  about  3ft.  by  6in.  by  J^in.,  and 
straight  down  the  center  thereof  cut  a  slotabout  2ft.  long 
by  >^in.  wide,  and  lastly,  affix  on  the  under  side,  at  each 
extreme  end,  a  fillet  about  l}4in.  wide  by  ^in.  thick  to 
strengthen  the  board  and  raise  it  slightly  from  the  sur- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL,  329 

face  on  which  it  is  to  stand,  level  and  firm.  As  the  camera 
to  be  used  only  extends  9in.,  a  box-like  extension  piece — 
adding,  say,  an  extra  4in. — should  be  made  and  fitted  to 
the  front.  The  camera  is  secured  to  one  end  of  the  board 
by  means  of  a  usual  tripod  screw  passed  from  beneath 
throug-h  the  long  slot,  and  the  microscope  is  so  placed, 
turned  horizontally  on  its  stand,  that  the  eyepiece  points 
centrally  through  the  usual  lens  mount  into  the  camera, 
the  junction  between  the  two  being  made  light-tight  by  a 
small  velvet  sleeve  having  elastic  bands  at  each  end.  The 
ordinary  focusing-screen  is  utterly  useless  for  micro- 
graphic  work,  it  being  necessary  to  use  a  piece  of  thin 
patent  plate  glass,  having  lines  ruled  on  one  side  with  a 
diamonds  Correct  focus  is  obtained  when  these  lines  and 
the  image  are  seen  in  focus  together  through  a  compound 
focusser.  The  condenser  and  lamp  (if  the  last  is  used) 
are,  of  course,  arranged  at  the  other  end  of  the  board  op- 
posite the  microscope  and  camera. 


MICB08C0PIGAL  MANIPULATION. 


Staining  Insects'  Wings. — Dr.  Brodie  has  given  much 
attention  to  the  setting  up  and  preservation  of  insects^ 
The  following  mode  of  staining  the  wings  of  insects  which 
he  has  devised,  will  be  both  useful  and  interesting.  Place 
the  whole  insect  in  a  strong  alcoholic  solution  of  f  uchsin, 
aud  allow  it  to  remain  there  for  forty-eight  hours.  Then 
transfer  the  insect  to  water  with  a  pair  of  fine  forceps,  and 
wash  it  until  no  more  color  comes  away,  changing  the 
water  if  necessary.  While  the  washed  insect  floats  in  clear 
water,  slip  a  microscope  slide,  holding  the  insect  on  it  with 
a  fine  needle,  separate  the  wings  from  the  body  with  a  fine 
scalpel,  and  remove  the  body.  Float  the  wings  into  posi- 
tion on  a  drop  of  clear  water,  remove  excess  of  water  with 
blotting-paper  and  allow  to  dry.  Then  place  a  drop  of 
thick  Canada-balsam  near  them  and  heat  over  a  spirit-lamp. 
Tilt  the  slide  to  allow  the  liquefied  balsam  to  flow  over  the 
wings,  lower  a  cover-g-lass  gently  into  position  and  allow 
to  cooL     On  examination  the  veins  will  be  found  red,  the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


330  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Oct. 

depth  of  colorings  varying-  with  the  lengfth  of  time  of  stain- 
ing*, the  thickness  of  the  veins,  etc. — Science-Gossip. 


BACTEBIOLOOT. 


Anthrax  Bacteria  in  Hides  from  China. — During  the 
early  part  of  August  four  deaths  occurred  among  the 
employes  of  the  Falls  Creek  tannery  near' Dubois,  Pa., 
and  several  cases  of  severe  illness  have  been  reported. 
Sometime  ago  the  tannery  company  received  an  invoice 
of  100,000  hides  imported  from  China.  During*  the  pro- 
cess of  tannings  the  liquors  drained  into  the  creek.  Not 
long  afterwards  several  head  of  cattle  running"  at  large 
died.  It  was  discovered  that  the  cattle  drank  water  from 
the  creek.  Shortly  afterwards  several  employes  were 
taken  sick  and  in  some  cases  death  resulted^ 

Investigation  revealed  the  fact  that  the  hides  were  infec- 
ted with  anthrax  bacteria.  Considerable  alarm  was 
caused  at  Falls  Creek  over  the  fatal  effects  and  possible 
spread  of  the  disease  as  it  proves  fatal  in  from  five  to 
eight  days,  and  of  the  men  affected  only  one  has  so  far 
recovered. 

The  matter  has  been  kept  as  secret  as  possible,  but  it 
is  understood  that  the  matter  has  been  reported  to  the 
State  boardof  health  and  an  in  vestig'ation  will  be  instituted. 

Pathogenic  Organisms  and  Living  Plant  Tissues. — Sev- 
eral years  ago  Dr.  H.  L.  Russel  published  an  interesting 
paper  on  "Bacteria  in  their  Relation  to  Veg-etable  Tissue" 
in  which  it  was  demonstrated  that  some  of  the  forms 
adapted  to  a  saprophytic  mode  of  life  may  live  for  consider- 
able periods  of  time  in  living  plants,  but  few  of  the  facul- 
tative parasites  were  able  to  thus  live.  Bacillus  pyocyaneus 
oval  schweine  senche  bacillus  did  so  for  sometime.  These 
micro-org-anisms  were  usually  found  intracellular.  Dr. 
Karl  Kornanter,  who  has  recently  investigated  this  ques- 
tion, makes  no  reference  to  this  excellent  paper.  Kornan- 
ter worked  with  pathogenic  and  saprophytic  species.  In 
the  case  of  anthrax  bacillus  and  Streptococcus  pyogenes 
the  germs  did  not  penetrate  the  tissues  of  corn  or  pea,  in 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  331 

germination  the  young-  plants  having-  passed  throug-h  cul- 
tures containing-  these  organisms.  Nor  were  his  results 
with  other  pathog-enic  saporphytic  org-anisms  more  favor- 
able where  onions  or  hyacinth  bulbs  were  used,  or  when 
cultures  were  inoculated  into  plants  above  ground.  Var- 
ious minerals  speedily  destroyed  the  organisms.  It  is  not 
probable  therefore  that  pathogenic  bacteria  are  ever  taken 
up  by  the  roots  of  plants. 

Appropriation  of  Free  Atmospheric  Nitrogen. — Nitro- 
gradsky  is  well-known  on  account  of  his  extended  and 
thorough  studies  of  micro-organisms  in  connection  with 
the  subject  of  nitrification.  He  has  now  given  us  the  result 
of  his  studies  on  the  above  topic.  In  isolating  these  organ- 
isms he  used  what  is  by  him  termed  the  "elective"  method 
of  isolation.  In  this  special  case  a  culture  medium  was 
employed  that  was  free  from  all  combined  nitrogen.  It 
was  made  up  as  follows: 

Distilled  water,  lOOOcc;  20-40  gr.  dextrose;  1  gr.  potas- 
sium phosphate;  0.5  gr.  magnesium  sulphate; 0.01-0.02 gr, 
potassium  chlorate,  sulphate  of  iron,  sulphate  of  manganese. 
This  culture  medium  was  then  inoculated  with  garden 
earth.  Most  of  the  cultures  soon  showed  evidence  of 
butyric  acid  fermentation.  Gas  bubbles  appearing  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  small  masses  floating  in  the  medium. 
These  masses  somewhat  resembled  Kephir  grains.  This 
fermentation  continued  till  all  of  the  sugar  was  used  up. 
After  this  fermentation,  mould  developed  on  these  white 
grain-like  masses,  followed  by  algae.  It  appears  that  this 
medium  at  first  wholly  unsuited  for  higher  plants  because 
of  the  absence  of  nitrogen  was  made  sutiable  when  appro- 
priation of  nitrogen  by  bacteria  had  taken  place.  The 
Kephir  like  masses  consisted  of  a  species  of  Clostridium 
to  which  he  has  given  the  name  of  C.  pasteurianum,  and 
two  kinds  of  bacteria  forming  threads.  The  interesting 
details  cannot  be  given  here.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  this 
Clostridium  is  capable  of  obtaining  nitrogen  from  the 
atmosphere,  which  is  found  in  the  medium  in  part  as  solu- 
ble inorganic  nitrogen,  but  mostly  as  insoluble  organic 


Digitized  by 


Google 


332  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Oct. 

combined  nitrogfen.  (Archives  des  Sciences  biolc^iques  T 
III.  St.  Petersburg-,  1895,  No.  Bott.  Centralbl.  LXV,  277.) 


KEDICAL  KICBOSCOPT. 


Diarrhoea  in  Children  and  Milk. — It  is  well-known  that 
milk  may  g^ive  rise  to  intestinal  disorders  traced  back  to 
the  poisonous  products  produced  by  micro-organisms. 
Dr.  K.  Alt  indicates  in  a  paper  in  Deutsch.  Med.  Noch- 
euschr,  1896,  No.5,  that  all  troubles  of  this  kind  need  not 
necessarily  be  referred  back  to  micro-orgunisms,  but  in 
some  cases  the  food  consumed  by  cattle  may  be  responsi- 
ble for  some  of  this  poisoning-.  In  the  cases  referred  to 
clover  was  thoug-ht  to  have  caused  the  trouble.  All  pre- 
cautions for  sterilization  seem  not  to  have  been  taken  into 
consideration.     Dr.  Alt's  conclusions  are  not  warranted. 

Tsetse  Fly  Disease  or  Nagana  in  Zululand. — Dr.  Bruce 
claims  to  have  traced  the  connection  of  this  disease  and 
larger  domestic  animals  to  one  of  the  Flagellatis  (Trypan- 
t)soma  e  vansi)  which  is  carried  over  by  Tsetse  fly.  It  was 
shown  that  the  fly  was  not  poisonous,  but  that  when  the 
fly  was  allowed  to  take  the  blood  of  a  diseased  dog  it  could 
carry  the  disease  to  another  animal,  dog,  horse,  or  bovine. 
(  Centralbl.  Bakt.  Parasitenk.  xix;  Abth.  I.  955.) 


NEW  PUBLICATIONS. 


Medical  Botany. —  Moquin-Tandon  has  published  an 
elementary  treatise  of  543  pages  on  this  topic  which  con- 
tains numerous  figures  of  medical  plants  some  excellent, 
others  rather  poorly  executed.  The  part  dealing  with 
phaenogams  is  good  but  the  part  dealing  with  cryptogams 
is  not  up  with  the  times,  some  rather  remarkable  state- 
ments being  made.  Just  two  pages  are  devoted  to  bacteria 
Leptothrix  f uccales  and  Merismopidia  (Sarcina  ventriculi). 
His  information  concerning  these  is  somewhat  ancient. 
Reference  is  made  to  this  part  of  the  work  because  it  is  a 
sample  of  what  one  finds  too  frequently  in  so  called  scien- 
tific publications. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


A  NEW  EDITION  OF 

^nL.  ^nLT^TSOM  St  SONS' 

Illustrated  Catalogue  of  Microscopes,  t3%^e0toi 
and  Accessories. 

Id  it  will  be  fonnd  fully  deecribed  all  the  latest  impiOT«iieiits  and  dolot 
of  the  Watson  InstromentB,  also  many  new  kinds  of  aooenories  lnftii<in(|ftt 
followiDg : 

A  SERIES  OF  NEW  PARACHROMATIC 

MICROSCOPIC   OBJECTIVE, 


These  Lenses  will  be  found  to  possess  large  apertores,  to  be^f  I 
ity,  and  to  be  as  low  in  price  as  any  Objectiyes  in  the  maskei.    ,Tlii|JN#n 
ooDstrncted  almost  entirely  of  Jena  Glass. 

The  following  are  selected  from  the  Series 


POWER. 

,     N.  A. 

PRICE. 

POWER. 

N.  A. 

PBIffB* 

1-2  inch 

0.34 

£1.2.6 

2-3  in. 

0.28 

£%^jO 

1-4  inch 

0.68 

1.5.0 

1-6  in. 

0.87 

LU^jO 

1-8  inch 

0.88 

2.0.0 

1-9  in. 

0.90 

.M 

Homo^ueous 

Immersion. 

l-biodi 

1-20 

4.15.0 

1-12  in. 

1.35 

5.ao 

W.  WATSON  &  SONS' 

New  *' PARACHROMATIC  Substage  Cbodeoser. 

This  condenser  has  a  total  aperture  of  1.0  If.  A.,  has  an  eztreiiMly 
Aplanatic  Aperture,  exceeding  .90  N.  A.  Its  power  is  21-7  inch,  aiid 
toe  front  leus  removed,  4.10  inch.  It  is  mooated  wiih  Ifis-Diffhig»  and 
revolving  carrier  for  stops  for  dark  ground  and  oblique  illuminalkMi.  ^  Hm 
Iris  Diaphragm  is  divided  so  as  to  indicate  the  N.  A.  at  rhich.  the  ^I0tfitgmi 
in  employed.    The  diameter  of  the  back  leas  is  5^  inch. 

PRICE  COMPLETE  £3,15. 

APLANTIC  MAGNIFWnS. 

In  addition  to  W.  Watson  &  Sons'  well-known  liQgnlar  aeries  ibey  •■• 
working  Mr.  E.  M.  Nelson's  new  form,  magnifying  15moMiteni  which glrti 
great  working  distance  and  large  aperture.  It  is  believed  to  be  i 
by  any  similar  lens  for  qualities. 

PRICE — in  German  silver  mount,  pocket  form  15.6. 
For  dissecting,  in  wooden  box  14.6. 

^rhe  above  catalogue  will  be  mailed  post-free  on  f 

MICROSCOPIC  OBJECTS." 

Watson  &  Sons  hold  a  stock  of  40,000  specimena  -all  of  the*^l 
forming  undoubtedly  the  finest  collection  in  the  world.  "Fidli 
forward  post-free  on  application  to 

W.  ifl^HTSON  St  SONS 

(ESTABLISpfJD  1837) 
OPTICIANS  TO  H.  M.;  GOVERNMENT. 
SlllHigh  Holbom,  London,  W.  C;  an^  78  Swanston  Stieet,   MelbowM, 

Australia. 
Awarded  38  Gold  and  other  medals  at  InteCTatJonaljExhibitiana 
&  Uigbeat^ Awards  at  the  Worid's  Fair,  Chicago,  1893.    2  Gold  Hodali^ 
Universal  Exhibition  1889  &c.  Sec* 
NOTE— The  postage  on  letters  to  England  is  6  oents,  or  postal  oardt  2 


Digitized  by 


Google 


WA^T,  SALE  AND  EXCHANGE  NOTlCES. 

.  , .  FOR  3^L£.— Firat  class  Botanical  moants,  25  cents.     Send  for  list ;    atoo 

*  Uli  exchange.  I.  PERCY  BLA.CKMAN,  Sandy  Hook,  Conn. 

FOR  SALE.— ToUes  1>10  ol^ecUve,  1.42  N  A,  one  of  his  latest  and  best. 
Also  1-12  Powell  &  Leland  apochromatic  objective,  1.40  N.  A,  new. 

C.  £.  BLAKE  <&  CO.,  Adams  Express  Bldg.,  Chicago,  111. 

*  flEAD  the  nice  stories  in  Lippincott's  Monthly  Magazine.     Too  can  save 
50  cents,  (club  rate)  by  snbscribing  for  Lippinoott  through  as. 

MICROSCOPICAL  PUB.  CO. 
JBOlSk  SA|i^. —Nicely  moanted  slides  xtf  Rhinoceros  horn,  at  40  cents  each. 
f^-^  -'        •       '  H.  H.  DAVISON,  41  Sumner  St.,  Paatwkct.  R  L 

^     fX3R  SALE.— Pritchard's  Infosoria  (latest  edition,  colored  plates)  and 
'*"ftniith*s  British   Diatoitiaceae  (2  vols.,  uncut).    These  works  are  very  scarce 
and  can  only  be  got,as  iu  this  case,  when  a  microtomist  finishes  osingthem. 
Price  $60.  No  Sig.,  Care  C.  W.  SMILEY. 

FOR  EXCHANGE.— The  Museum  of  Hamline  Unive^pitydesirAtoex- 
change  Atlantic  ShelU,  preserved  specimens  of  Marine  Zoology  of  microsoDpic 
slip  *6Hdeb  for  Zoological  specimens  especially  Rodents  in  the  flesh  from 
Southwestern  United  Statea     Con-espondence  solicited. 

HENRY  L.  OSBOKN»  Hamline  Univ.,  St  Paul,  Minnesote. 
AfiliANGED  DIATOMS.     I  furoish  the  most  artistitic  amuigements  of 
diatoms  in  slides  at  $5.00  each.     Your  name  can  be  made  from  difiereot 
species.    Roosters,   hen  and  chickens,  and  bonquets  of  flowers  in  b«ittecfly 
scales  and  diatoms  from  |5.00.    Refer  to  the  Editor  of  this  JocmHiL 


:  ^Mierosoopioal  Speoialties. 

'KING'S  CEMENTS  ^^^^''"^"^•"'^^'^^iheywm.-i.i.H. 

KING'S  GLYCERINE  JELLY  is  unsurpassed. 
THB  KUm  MIOEOTOMB  is  the  beet  for  botanical  wo  A. 

Send  for  full  lilt  of  fpedaltiefl. 

^-  J.   D.    KING,    Cottage   City,    Mass. 

INVERTEBRATE  DISSECTIONS. 

Second  Edition  ;  Keviaed  aiuL  GreaOif  Enlarged. 

BESIGNEO  to  suit  the  requirements  of  high  school  or  college,  or  to  gaide 

any  who  may  deaire  to  pursue  an  elementaiy  course  of  practiod  or  theoretical 

«^''«4]i'v«rtehTftte  zoology.     It  contains  working  directions  for  the  study  of  fiflf 

mu  ^^pe8f^£rom  all  ^classes  and  ordera  of  Invertebrates,  attention  being  diiefly 

called  to  common  and  easily  obtained  forms ;  notes  on  habits  and  modes  (if 

captuw,  and  items  to  observe  on  living  animals  ;  bibliographical  reference  to 

some  ^  th6  tobst  accessible  literature  of  each  gioup  :  and  a  synoptical  taWe 

of  t^e  entire  animal  kingdom  summarizing  all  the  phyla,  classes  and  ordef8» 

thus  making  the  book  a  compend  of  Elementary  Invertebrate  Zoology. 

ftyo;  heavy  paper  covers;  64  pages  ;  price  75  cents.  Special  rates  for  sdwols. 
^nt  postpaid  on  i^oeipt  of  price.    Circulars  and  sample  pages  flunialMdoo 


,»^' 


,  anpliication  to  author. 

I?;!;;'.  ;  henry  l.  osborn, 

**   '     '  Hamline  University,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


General  Index 

\ 

TO  THE  \ 

■% 

American  Monthly  Microscopical  JonAial 

1880-1895. 

(16  years.) 

We  have  for  sale  a  limited  number  of  copies,^^of 
this  general  index,  containing  69  pages  and  05p6 
references  at  ... 


$1.00  per  copy. 


BACK   NUMBERS 

We  can  supply  sets  of  the  Journal  for  1881-1896, 
at  f  2.00  each;  the  last  ten  volumes  for  ten  dollstrs;. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


GAEL  REICHERT 
MICROSCOPES. 

SOLE  AaENTS  FOB  UNITES  STATES. 

RICHARDS  &  CO.,  LTD., 

NEW  TORE,  OmOAQO, 

41  BarcUy  Street.      108  Lake  Street. 


Icranqiic  Freiiaratieiis  Dlnstratiiiii  tlie  linnte  Stmctnre 
ef  Teptaile  Life. 

Being  enclosed  in  a  novel  transparent  envelope,  these  objects  may 
bt  ezanttined  without  removal  before  mounting.  They  are  prepared 
with  the  utmost  care  by  Wai«ter  WhiTB,  England,  and  are  mostly 
stained  in  one  or  two  colors  of  the  most  permanent  character. 

it  friend  says :  The  sample  section  is  exquisite.  It  is  so  good 
that  I  want  more.  As  a  well -cut  and  well-stained  section  it  is 
equal  to  anything  I  have  seen  in  that  line. 

PRICES. 

Catalogue  of  172  objects,  -  I0.02 

Single  specimens,      -  -  -  -         .oS 

so  specimens,  assorted,  i.oo 

CHAS.  W.  SMIIiEY,  Washington,  !>.  C. 


SWEDENBORG 

is  not  only  a  theologian  ;  he  is  a  scientist  and  a  scientific  writer, 
wiiose  keenly  philosophical  analysis  of  phenomena  is  helpful  to 

Address 

ADOLPH  ROEDER, 

Vinetend,  N.  J. 

ll6M^ttkl£^-^Asetof  slides  illastroting  the  Woody  Plants  ofDUoois, 
•5  GensTa.  H.  F.  MtJNROE,  821  Jackson  Boulevard,  Chicago.  III. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Send  for  Art  Catalogue. 

ju  Light?     19  to  21  lbs.  ffl 

Strong  ?     Guaranteed. 

For  whom?     300  pound  riders. 


KEATING  BICYCLES. 


LfJ      Frame  sway?     No.     Why?     See  that  curve. 
Speedy?     Yes. 
Why?     Long  chain.  M 

HSHSHsasasaHHSEsasasiasHSBsasHHasHSHSHsasssEl 

^6c;  days  ahead  of  them  all. 


Keating  Wheel  Co.,  Holyoke,  Mass. 


Digitized  by  VjOOQ IC 


THE  FISK 

TRAGHRRS'  AGRNGIR8, 
EVERETT  O.  FISK  &  CO.,  Proprietors. 

President. 

SmtBR  O.  Vi«,  4  Adilmrton  PIam,  Boiton*  MMk 

Managers. 

W.  B.  HnuoK,  4  AdibartDB  PUoe,  Bofton,  W.  D.  Kbkr«  70  FIflh  ▲▼•ma,  M«w  Tack, 

HAM.  N.  T 

Mra.  8.  D.  TrnTBHOiTD,  1S42   Twelftti  8t^  P.  Y.HuTiBOOif.TOIIfth  ▲▼«&iM,H*wTock, 

WMblB(ton,D.O.  N.  T. 

▲.  O.  FuBBB,  4  ABhbortoD  Place,  BoaCon,  W.  0.  Peatt,  70  Fifth  ▲Tanoe,  Haw  Toit, 

Man.  N.  T.  -.  -, 

M ABTIA  HoAa,  4  Aahtmrton  Placa,  Boiloii,  L.  B.  HALnT,356  Wabaah  ATaoaa,  Ohlaagov 

MaM.  Ill* 

Hbuh  O.  Basbk,  4  Aahbarton  Place,  Boa-  J.  D.  Ewau,  Oentory  BoUding,  Mlnanapo 

ton.  Ma«.  olU,  Minn. 

W.  O.   MoTaoqakt,   26   King  St.  Weat  Una.  B.  Dowuva   Biioi.1,  Oantoiy  BUg., 

Toronto,  Canada.  M  lnnean>li8,  Minn. 

H.  B.  Obookbb,70  riflh  Avenue,  New  York,  0.  O/Bothton,  liO>^  flo.  Spring  St.,  Loa. 

H.  T.  Angelea,  Oal. 

Send  to  any  of  the  abore  agendea  for  100>page  Agency  Manual.  Oorreapondenoa  with  aai- 
ployen  la  inTited.    Baglatration  foma  sent  to  teachen  on  appUcatioii. 

ZEISS  MICROSCOPES. 

Tbe  Carl  Zeiss  Optical  Works  in  Jena 

Are  recognized  in  Europe  as  the  leading  manufacturers  of  Stands  and 
Objectives.  They  have  issued  a  new  Catalogue  for  1895,  containing  a 
description  of^numBeToRe^^cceSoHe^inTapp^  which  I  am 
enabled  to  import  at  lowest  rates.  Orders  for  colleges  and  institutions 
filled  prompty,  duty  free.  New  Catalogues  forwarded  on  application, 
against  ao  cents  in  postage  stamps. 

F.  J.  EMMERICH,  Sr.»  Agent, 

74  Murray  St.,  New  York,  N.  Y. 


OPTICIAN. 
209  South  Uth  Street,   Philadelphia. 


HISTOLOGICAL   MICROSCOPES  $65. 


STUDENTS'  MICBOSCOPES,  $38  to  146,  Complete. 

MICROMETER  RULINGS.  A  SPECIALTY. 


ILLU8TRATBD  CATALOOUB  OK  APPLXCATIOIf. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


OR 

inontfjiy  3ournaI  of  (Beology: 

WITH  WHICH  IS  INCORPORATED 

"THE    GEOLOOIST." 

BDITEI>  BY 

HENRY  WOODWARD,  LL.D.,  F.  R.  S.,  PresG.  S.,  P.  %,  S.,  F.  R.  M.  S. 

OF  THE  BRITISH  MUSEUM  OP  NATURAL  HISTORY  ; 

ASSISTED  BY 

ROBERT  ETHERIDGE.  F.  R.  S.  L.  &  E.,  F.  G.  S.,  F.  C.  S  ,  &c. 

WILFRID  H.  HUDLESTON,  M.  A.,  F.  R.  S.,  F.  G.  S  ,  F.  L.  S.,  F.  C.  S 

GEORGE  J.  HINDRE.  Ph.D.,  V.  P.  G.  S.,  &c. 

AND 

HORACE  BOLINGBOKE  WOODWARD,  F.  G.  S. 


The  NEW  SERIES.    Decade  IV.    Vol.  II.No.  1—4. 
Jan.-    April,  1895,  NOW  READY. 

PUBLISHED   BT 

MESSRS.    DULAU    &   CO., 

37  SOHOSaUARE,  LONDON,  W. 

\%  18  eaniestly  reqaestod  that  Sabscriptioiis  may  be  sent  to  DyLAU  and 
Co.  in  advance.  Snbecriben  ofl8«.  for  the  year  will  reodve  the  Magazine, 
Post-free,  direct  on  the  Ist  of  each  Month.    Single  copies  I5.  M.  each. 


All  Communications  for  this  Magazine  shojjld  be 
addressed  to  the  Editor  of  the  Geological  Magazine, 

129  BEAUFORT  STEEET,  CHELSEA, 

LONDON,  S.  W. 

Books  and  Spedmena  may  In  future  be  addressed  to  the  Editor,  care  of 

MBSSBS.  DULAU  &  GO.,  37  Soho  Square,  London,  W. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Special 
AQQOuncement 


B" 


-IN- 


MICROSCOPY. 


^UBUfO  the  Ian  few  sonftt 
I  have  been  busy  prepaiiBg 
mmnj  rsre  and  novel  ol^edi 
for  Mfcroeooplcal  purpuem,  aod 
liHTe  arrmng:rd  them  aa  undar  In 
llIUHtr»t«>d  Series. 

The  flnt  orUiMe  la  the  Ml- 
ciXMc«|rfeftl  %^dimm  «■  Ma- 
rine Zoology. 

The  eeouDd  Series  (tIs.:  that 
for  1895)  consists  of  14  mlendid 
preparationa,  all  of  the  bighesi 
puHitble  exeelleace  and  Kuaranleed 
fMrmauent  TKe  14  slides  appear 
ID  quarterly  in»tallmenta,  aod  are 
accunipanied  by  over  lOO  pmgou 
of  deacriptive  letterproM, 
dealiufc  in  pleasant  bnt  exact  man- 
ner wKh  the  anatomy,  life-bistory 
snd  haMts  of  the  respective  i 


jects,  while12fall-p«|^  pl»«M 
of  photo-ensr»Tlncs,  aimwa 


from  llfOt  make  plain  all  details. 
laciniive  Sabsorlptloii,  •Aw95»  post-free.    Full  prosppctua  on  applkatioa. 
The  following  are  among  the  Slides  included  in  this  Series : 


6.  Lovely  Expended  Zoophyte  Ser^mlmia     Mc 

7.  Oposanm-ehrfmp  Jfy«u,  showing  ao^ 

tory  organ  in  tail  S8s 

8.  The  splendid  rare  organ-pipe  Polyiooa. 

Uckeiftpora  40s 

•.  Kntire  larval  Plaice,  eye  Josl  turving 
fnim  blfbtl  side  and  5  other  eqoally 
Abe  dldes.  60e 


L  Oolony  of  the  lovely  Badlolarian  Byhtaro- 

aomm,  showing  parasitic  algae.  40c 

S.  The  lovely  Zoophyte  ObtUa^  polyps  fitlly 

expanded.  36c 

5.  Stalked  stage   of    the  larva    of    Bosy 

Feather  Star  (ftmUdon)  40c 

4.  An  entire  Sea-  Butterfly  (PUropod).  40c 

6.  Lovely  expanded  Zoophyte  Sifncvrpn*'      ^^ 

The  prices  againeit  each  are  those  at  which  the  preparations  are  sold  s^iantely. show- 
ing what  a  cheap  lot  I  offer  in  neries  at  $6.26,  post  free.  A  few  sets  of  8*>Ties  1  still  available, 
16.26,  post  free.    Sample  Slide,  60c.,  post  fk^ee. 

Prof.  J.  R.  Alnaw.Jrtli  Davis,  Uulvemlty  Oollej<e,  Abery«twlth.  writes:  "Allow  me  to 
congratulate  you  on  the  v(*ry  useful  work  you  are  doing  by*  the  publication  of  loumal,  with 
accompanying  slides,  which  are  most  admirablr. 

8np«rb  microscopical  preparations  of  Braz1U»n  I^lanaa. — I  have 
be«n  unfortunate  in  ohtaininK  a  quantity  of  thmt*  superb  8t«>iDS — tb« 
mt«t  lovely  in  the  wbi>le  plant  kingdom^^aod  have arran>|ad  them 
in  two  n*«ts of  6  each,  at  the  priee  of  fl.9i  per  set,  t*r  t*^.Sft- for  th» 
two.  The  roost  exqniiitely  chanuiug  slides  that  oonld  possibly  b* 
imAKfned  for  exhlliftioo  at  popular  gntherlnKS.     As  the  quantify  ii 

very  limited.  1  am  uuatde  U*  sell  single  slides. 

J  Bf  Icroaoopical  Htndiea  in  Bolany.— In  answer  to  many  requests,  I  have  ar- 
ranged 20  magnificent  preparations  in  a  series  on  similar  lines  to  that  in  marine  aoology  de> 
scribed  above. 

-Tha  first  saries  in  now  begun  and  compnsra  30  bighttt-dass  slides  (such  as  sell  siDgly 
at  26c  to  35c  each),  illuntruted  by  deswriptive  lettorpresB  and  20  specially  beautiful  photo-mkro- 
graphs  of  the  sections. 

8ubscriptloiii«,  f6.25  only,  fur  all,  a  sum  which  would  be  dietfp  for  the  series  of  iilat* 


accompanying  slides,  which 

Botany. 


trations  alone. 

Prof.  J.  W.  Onrr,  Univenlty  roll«»ge, 


are  the  most  beautiful  I  haive  ever  seen, 
above  linns : 

1.  Tr.  sec.  flower-bud  of  Lily 

2.  **    *'  do        of  Dandelion 

3.  Long*l  sec    do        of       do 

4.  do  fruit    of  Fig 
I  f^uarantee  the  perfectton 


NotMngbam,  writes:    *'Toiir  Bbtaaical  Slices 


The  foUowiag  are  among  the  slides  alD«s4y   issosd  is 


25c 
30c 
25c 
30c 


:.  fhiit  of  I>ate  (splendid) 
flower  of  Btdm-hoUzia 


5.  Tr. 

7.  Long'l.  sec  double  flower  of  Peony 

8.  Leaf-fall  of  Sycamore 


36c 
90c 
a6c 

26e 


„       _  of  all  my  mounts  and  will  be  pleased  to  »end 

selectioas  on  oppro\-iil  Lo  approved  correspondents. 

A  {Treat  ran^e  of  Miscellaneous  i&oological  and  Botanical  slides  ia  stock 
at  prices  from  |i..%o  per  dozen. 

€of9t  of  M*lllnfc>  1  slide,  lo  cents  ;  2  sHdes,  15  cents;  3  ^d«S;  )i>  tents  and 
so  on.     Larffe  parcels  by  express  at  very  cheap  rates. 

Hpeciallty.  Marine  Zoology  (especially  in  expanded  2%oQphytes  and  larval 
stag:e8.  and  plant  and  flower  anatomy. 

Terms.  Remittance  by  P.  O.  O.,  draft  on  London,  or  U.  S.  paper  currency,  the 
former  preferred.  If  wished.  Mr.  0.  W.  Smiley.  Washington.  D.  '\  will  hold  the 
amount  till  order  is  satisfactorily  executed.  Mr.  Smiley  has  kindly  promised  to 
vouch  for  the  excellency  of  the  slides  and  will  give  references  to  U.  S.  Microscop- 
ists  who  have  been  well  satisfied  with  my  preparations. 

JAMES  HORNELL, 


Btofogical  Station,  Janey,  IngUuid. 


BpaoialMiii  llieft*»pic«l  MovbCIm. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


\-« 


THE  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL 

Contents  for  Nov.,  1897. 

On  the  EvolatioD  of  the   Microscope.    Nelson.      (Illnstrated) 334 

Exam inatioa  of  Water.     Whipple.     (Illuatrated)  340 

Astrouomii'al  Photography  with  Photomicrographic  Apparatus.  Mercer  347 

ProKreas  in  EflTect  with  the  Roentgen   X-Rays.     (Illoatrated) 350 

Editorial. 

Bacteroloxical   Laboratory 356 

Bovine  Tubercnlosid 356 

Microscopical  Apparatus. 

Micrometer  Rulings.     (Illnstrated) 356 

Microscopical  Manipulation. 

Drinking  Water 359 

Bacteriology. 

Baldness 360 

Leprosy   361 

Caseous  Rhinitis 361 

Tuberculosis  in  Goats 361 

Microscopical  Notes. 

Circulation  of  Blood 361 

Microscopical  Societies. 

American   Microscopical  Society 362 

New  Publications. 

Elementary  Zoology  and  laboratory  Guide 364 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


g 


X 

c 
© 

H 

p 
© 


Digitized  by 


Google 


OCT     12  1901 
THE    AMERICAN 

MONTHLY 

MICROSCOPICAL    JOURNAL. 


Vol.  XVIII.  NOVEMBER,  1897.  No.  11. 


On  the  Evolution  of  the  Microscope. 

By  Edwaud  M.  NEI.80N, 

LONDON. 
WITH  FRONTISHECE. 

One  of  the  means  of  guidance  for  the  future  is  a  study 
of  the  errors  of  the  past.  The  end  will  be  best  served 
by  (a)  a  through  investigation  of  a  good  type  of  instru- 
ment designed  at  sortie  period  subsequent  to  the  intro- 
duction of  achromatism,  tracing  tlie  development  of  its 
various  parts  from  the  earliest  times.  (J?)  A  study  of 
modern  instruments,  showing  wherein  and  why  they 
either  follow  or  depart  from  the  selected  type.  (0)  The 
collation  of  other  material  bearing  on  the  development 
of  modern  microscopes  though  not  falling  witliin  the 
limits  of  a  and  h. 

The  first  ste[>,  then,  is  the  choice  of  a  type.  (1)  It 
must  be  that  towards  which  the  modern  microscope  is 
tending.      (2)  It  must  be  a  permanent  form. 

There  is  only  one  microscope  in  which  both  these 
necessary  conditions  are  to  be  found,  and  that  is  Powell's 
No.  1,  for  it  requires  the  slightest  observation  to  per, 
ceive  (1)  that  the  best  modern  microscopes  are  more  and 
more  conforming  to  that  type,  and  (2)  that  it  has  remain- 
ed in  its  present  form  for  upwards  of  twenty  years. 

Our  first  duty,  then,  is  to  describe  all  the  causes  accu- 
mulated  since  tho  invention  of  the  microscope,  that  have 


Digitized  by 


Google 


334  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Nov 

inflaenced  the  design  of  Powell's  No.  1.  We  say  pro- 
bably, because  it  is  possible  that  Powell's  No.  1,  or  auy 
other  form  of  microscope  or  apparatus,  might  have  beou 
desigued  by  au  inveutor  wholly  unacquainted  with  any 
preceding  form,  though  in  the  absence  of  any  evidence  to 
the  contrary  such  a  hypothesis  would  be  highly  improb- 
able. 

Those  parts  of  this  paper  which  treat  of  old  micro- 
scopes are  not  intended  to  be  a  history  of  the  micro- 
scopes; many  interesting  old  forms  will  not  even  be 
mentioned.  For  the  most  part  attention  will  be  drawn 
to  only  those  instruments  that  have  been  rungs  in  the 
ladder  of  evolution. 

To  begin,  then,  neither  the  name  of  the  inventor  nor 
the  date  of  the  first  compound  microscope  has  been 
with  certainty  determined.  There  is  an  extensive  litera- 
ture on  the  subject,  and  the  conclusion  arrived  at  is  that 
the  first  microscope  was  probably  'made  by  Jansen,  a 
spectacle  maker,  of  Middelburg,  in  Holland,  about  the 
year  1660.  An  old  microscope,  supposed  to  be  a  Jansen, 
was  exhibited  at  the  loan  collection  of  scientific  instru- 
ments at  South  Kensington  in  1876  (catalogue  No.  3,510), 
the  date  of  it  given  in  the  catalogue  being  1590.  This 
instrument  had  neither  stand,  object-holder,  nor  stage; 
the  only  mechanical  movement  with  which  it  was  fur- 
nished was  a  draw  tube  for  separating  the  two  convex 
lenses   which  formed  the   optical    part  of  the  instrummt 

(Fig.  1). 

The  next  step  is  to  be  found  in  a  drawing  of  a  j^impK' 
microscope  by  Descartes  in  his  "Dioptrique"  in  1637. 
This  shows  a  piano  convex  lens  placed  at  the  vertex  of  a 
concave  mirror;  in  short  it  is  an  instrument  now  known  as 
a  Lieberkuhn.  It  is  curious  to  note  that  while  Descarit^N 
is  very  particular  about  the  parabolic  curves  of  his  mir- 
rors and  the  hyperbolic  curves  of  his  lenses  the  figures 
show  the  lenses  turned    the    wrong  way,    which  woulcl 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  335 

cause  the  spherical  aberration  to  be  increased  four-fold. 
Now  as  the  diflFerence  between  the  aberrations  arising 
from  the  spherical  and  hyperbolic  curves  is  for  the  pur- 
poses under  consideration  insignificant,  the  above  is  a  re- 
markable instance  of  straining  out  a  gnat  and  swallow- 
ing a  camel  (Fig.  2). 

The  next  important  step  is  the  application  of  a  field 
lens  to  the  eye-piece  by  Monconys  and  Hooke.  Mon- 
conys'  microscope  was  made  in  1660,  an  account  of  it 
being  published  in  1665.  Tbe  application  of  a  field  lens 
was  also  claimed  by  Hooke,  who  in  1665  published  an 
account  of  his  microscope.  Hooke's  microscope  is  a 
very  important  one,  for  in  it  we  find  several  new  feat- 
ures, such  as  the  inclination  of  the  body,  a  screw  focus- 
sing adjustment,  a  movable  object-holder,  and  an  entirely 
novel  illuminating  apparatus.  In  Fig.  3  we  see  a  heavy 
circular  foot,  j?,  with  an  upright  post,  6,  fixed  excentri- 
cally  to  it.  The  limb  which  holds  the  body  of  the  micro- 
scope is  attached  to  the  post  by  a  sliding  ring,  o,  and 
screw  clamp.  The  limb  is  also  jointed  by  a  ball  and 
socket.  At  the  other  end  of  the  limb  is  a  ring,  cf,  into 
which  the  body  screws  with  a  coarse  thread.  This  forms 
the  fine  adjustment.  The  body,  a,  was  fitted  with  four 
draw  tubes.  This  form  of  mounting  for  the  body  of  a 
microscope  I  call  the  '^telescope  mount,"  for  the  micro- 
scope is  pointed  at  the  object  precisely  in  the  same  man- 
ner as  a  telescope  would  be.  There  is  an  ingeniouH 
object-holder,  r,  consisting  of  a  spike  capable  of  rotation, 
held  by  a  short  pillar  attached  excentrically  to  a  rotating 
disc.  This  disc  is  held  in  position  by  a  link  and  butter-^ 
fly  nut,  q\  obviously,  therefore,  the  object  can  be  placed 
in  any  desired  position  by  these  combined  movements. 

The  lamp  also  was  attached  to  a  separate  upright  sup- 
port by  a  ring  and  screw  nut,  very  much  in  the  same 
way  as  it  is  fixed  at  the  present  time.  There  was  an 
fengftver's  globe,  n^  filled  with  \yater  for  a  primary  con- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


336 


THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY 


[Nov 


densing  bull's  eye,  and  a  plano-convex  lens,  turned  in  its 
proper  position,  t,  as  a  secondary  condensing  lens  was 
fitted  to  a  double-jointed  arm.  The  illuminating  appar- 
atus was  therefore  suitable  for  opaque  objects,  and  must 
be  regarded  as  being  very  complete  and  eflScient  in  its 
day. 

Pig.  4  shows  Divini's  microscope  (1667).  The  interest 
in  this  instrument  is  not  in  the  mount,  which  is  of  the 
crudest  form,  but  in  the  optical  part,  for  in  place  of  the 
biconvex  eye  lens  two  plano-convex  lenses,   with    their 


e 


convex  surfaces  in  contact,  were  used.     This  plan  would 
halve  the  amount  of  the  spherical  aberration. 

Fig.  5  exhibits  an  improvement  on  the  preceding  form, 
by  Ch6rubin  d'Orleans  (1671).  The  body  was  more  rig- 
idly mounted  by  the  enlargement  of  the  tripod  foot.  A 
screw  movement  was  fitted  to  the  stage  for  focussiii^- 
In  the  optical  part  there  is  an  erector.  Cherubin 
d'Orleans  was  the  first  to  apply  an  erector  to  his  monoc- 
ular microscope,  and  he  was  also  the  first  to  construct  a 
binocular  microscope.  The  binocular  instrument  would, 
according  to  the  drawing,  have  given  a  pseudostereo- 
scopic  image. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  337 

In  1672  Sir  Isaac  Newton  suggested  a  reflecting  micro- 
scope of  the  form  of  a  Herschelian  telescope.  It  proba- 
bly was  never  made. 

Leeuwenboek's  microscopes,  constructed  in  1673^  are 
remarkable  more  on  account  of  the  man  who  used  them 
than  for  their  design;  which  was  crude  in  the  extreme. 
It  is  indeed  difScult  to  understand  how  the  discoveries 
he  made  could  have  been  carried  out  with  such  rude 
apparatus. 

In  1687  we  find  a  microscope  by  Grindl  very  similar  to 
Fig.  5.  The  optical  part,  however,  consisted  of  three 
pairs  of  plano-convex  lenses. 

In  1691  several  new  features  appear.  Fig.  6  shows  a 
screw-barrel  compound  microscope  by  Bonanni.  The 
slider  placed  between  two  plates  pressed  together  by  a 
spiral  spring,  was  made  to  approach  or  recede  from  the 
objective  by  a  screw.  This  simple  arrangement,  known 
as  the  **screw  barrel,"  played  an  important  part  in  the 
history  of  the  microscope  for  upwards  of  100  years. 

To  Bonanni  we  are  also  indebted  for  a  horizontal 
microscope  in  1691  (Fig.  7).  This  instrument  is  note- 
worthy, first  for  the  double  support  to  the  body.  A 
glance  at  Hooke's  (Fig.  3)  will  convince  anyone  how 
rickety  the  body  must  have  been  when  only  held  by  its 
focussing  screw,  so  here  we  have  a  decided  improvement. 
Secondly,  we  have  a  rack,  i,  and  pinion,  A,  coarse  adjust- 
ment, in  addition  to  the  usual  screw  fine  adjustment,  7n, 
of  that  period.  There  is  also  an  improvement  in  the 
stage,  and  the  last,  and  perhaps  the  most  important  nov- 
elty, is  the  compound  substage  condenser,  p,  q.  Hooke's 
illuminating  apparatus  was,  as  we  have  seen,  more  suit- 
able for  opaque  objects;  this,  on  the  other  hand,  is  more 
adapted  for  the  illumination  of  transparent  objects.  We 
now  come  to  an  excellent  simple  microscope  by  Hart- 
soeker,  in  1694  (Fig.  8).  It  will  be  observed  that  the 
Bonanni   screw-barrel    focussing   arrangement,   c,   d,   is 


Digitized  by 


Google 


338 


THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY 


[Nov 


maintained.  The  novelty,  however,  consists  in  the  sab- 
stage  condensing  lens,  e,  which  can  be  focussed  on  the 
object  by  screwing,  /,  into  the  screw  focussing  tube. 
The  important  point  in  this  arrangement  is  that  the  focus 
of  the  condenser  is  not  di8turl)ed  while  the  object  is  being 
focussed  to  or  from  the  magnifying  lens.  To  Hartsoeker 
we  are  also  indebted  for  r  compressor. 

Wilson's  screw- barrel,  of  1702,  then  known  as  the 
pocket  microscope,  was  a  popular  form  of  simple  micro- 
scope in  the  18th  century  ;  it  was  very  similar  to  Hart- 


Men 


soeker's,  the  main  difference  being  that  the  substage 
condensing  lens  had  no  separate  focussing  adjustment. 
Culpeper  subsequently  mounted  these  microscopes  on  a 
pillar  rising  from  a  flat  folding  tripod  foot,  a  mirror  and 
condensing  lens  being  attached ;  he  also  added  a  com- 
pound body  to  them.  Later,  in  1742,  the  Wilson  screw 
barrel  was  mounted  on  a  brass  scroll  fixed  to  a  circular 
wooden  foot,  to  which  was  attached  a  concave  mirror. 
In  this  same  year  it  is  also  stated  that  two  diaphragms 
were  supplied  with  the  ordinary  hand  Wilson  screw- 
barrel  simple  microscope,  to  fit  in  a  cell  close  to  the  sub- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897] 


MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL. 


339 


stage  condenser,  to  reduce  its  aperture  when  high  powers 
were  used.  This  is  the  earliest  notice  of  diaphragms  for 
regulating  the  illumination. 

In  the  year,  1702,  we  find  a  crude  form  of  simple 
microscope  hy  Mussenbroek.  The  only  point  of  interest 
it  possesses  is  to  be  found  in  a  sector  of  graduated  dia- 
phragm holes.  The  purpose  of  these  diaphragms  was  for 
diminishing  the  spherical  aberration  by  cutting  down  the 
apertures  of  the  observing  lens  and  not  for  regulating  the 


illummation.  The  next  model,  that  of  John  Marshall, 
1704,  takes  us  on  several  steps  in  the  evolution  of  the 
microscope  (Fig.  9).  Here  we  first  meet  with  the  box-foot, 
a  distinctive  feature  which  lasted  for  nearly  130  years. 
The  coarse  adjustment  is  effected  by  a  collar  and  jamb- 
screw  sliding  on  a  square  bar,  the  fine  adjustment  by  a 
direct  acting  screw,  f.  It  is  hardly  correct  to  speak  of 
the  sliding  arrangement  as  a  coarse  adjustment  because 
the   post,  a,   was   marked   with  numbers  corresponding 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Ua  THE  AMBRICAK  monthly  [Nov 

with  similar  numbers  marked  on  the  objectives  ;  the  body 
remained  clamped  at  the  given  mark  until  the  objective 
was  changed,  all  tbe  necessary  focussing  being  performed 
by  means  of  the  direct  acting  screw.  The  great  advance 
made  in  this  model  consists  in  the  pivoting  of  the  lower 
end  of  the  bar,  a,  on  a  ball  and  socket  joint,  6.  As  the 
stage,  df  is  also  fixed  to  this  bar  it  is  obvious  that  when 
the  instrument  is  inclined  the  stage  is  also  inclined  with 
it.  This  feature  is  totally  distinct  from  the  *'  telescope 
mount,"  and  is  one  specially  important  in  the  evolution 
of  the  microscope. — Queket  Club. 


ExamiaatioD  of  Water. 

By  GEO.  C.  WHIPPLE, 

NEWTON  CBNTRB,   MASS. 

The  microscopical  examination  of  water  is  becoming 
every  year  a  matter  of  greater  interest,  and  the  study  of 
the  minute  aquatic  plants  and  animals  is  more  and  more 
attracting  the  attention  of  scientists.  These  organisms 
are  interesting  for  several  reasons  and,  besides  recogniz- 
ing their  importance  in  the  domain  of  pure  science,  we 
are  beginning  to  appreciate  the  great  part  that  they  play 
in  nature  and  their  eflFect,  direct  and  indirect,  upon  the 
human  being.  Their  presence  in  surface  waters  is  often 
the  cause  of  much  harm  when  the  water  is  used  for  pur- 
poses of  domestic  supply;  scores  of  instances  may  be 
mentioned  where  they  have  rendered  the  water  entirely 
unfit  for  use.  On  the  other  hand,  their  presence  in  ponds 
and  streams  is  of  importance  to  the  fish-culturist  because 
they  form  the  fundamental  source  of  the  food  supply  of 
fishes  ;  this  is  probably  true  both  of  salt  and  freshwater. 

Because  of  the  connection  between  the  number  of  micro- 
scopical organisms  in  a  cubic  centimeter  of  water  and  the 
price  of  fish  in  our  markets,  the  study  of  the  'plankton,' 
i.  e.,  the  floating  micro-organisms,  is  being  emphasized 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOtlRNAL,  341 

on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic.  Observers  are  beginning 
to  trace  the  connection  between  the  presence  of  micros- 
copical organisms  and  the  abnndance  of  fish  in  our  lakes 
and  valuable  comparisons  have  been  made  between  the 
stomach  and  intestinal  contents  ef  fishes  and  the  organ- 
isms found  in  the  water  where  the  catches  were  made. 
This  work  is  of  very  great  importance  and  should  be 
vigorously  pursued  by  our  fish  commissions.  To  be  of 
the  greatest  value  it  should  extend  well  over  the  country 
and  include  lakes  and  ponds  suflSciently  diflFerent  in  char- 
acter to  enable  one  to  determine  the  laws  governing  the 
nature  and  distribution  of  the  plankton  in  various  climates 
and  under  various  conditions.  The  study  ought  not  to 
be  carried  on  spasmodically,  as,  for  instance,  during  the 
short  vacation  of  some  college  professor  who  generously 
gives  his  time  and  talents  to  the  cause,  but  should  be 
undertaken  seriously  and  continued  throughout  the  whole 
year.  Only  in  this  way  can  we  obtain  the  data  necessary 
for  a  complete  understanding  of  the  subject. 

Since  water-works  managers  are  equally  interested  in 
the  microscopical  organisms  found  in  surface  waters,  and 
up  to  the  present  time  have  been  responsible  for  most  of 
the  work  done  upon  the  subject,  it  might  be  possible  for 
fish  commissions,  boards  of  health,  water-works  super- 
intendents, and  others  interested,  to  work  together 
according  to  a  definite  concerted  plan,  sending  their 
results  to  some  central  commission  or  committee  for  com- 
parison and  study.  Such  an  extended  biological  study 
taken  in  connection  with  meteorological  records  and 
observations  upon  temperature,  transparency,  etc.,  of  the 
water  would  be  of  very  great  value.  And  it  would  seem 
that  we  have'little  excuse  for  neglecting  to  cultivate  this 
fruitful  field  of  research.  Vast  numbers  of  microscopical 
examinations  are  now  being  made.  During  the  past  eight 
years  more  than  40,000  have  been  made  in  Massachusetts 
alone,  and  the  rapid  growth  of  the  new  science  of  sanitary 


Digitized  by 


Google 


342  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Nov 

biology  is  developing  nambers  of  well-trained  observers 
wide  awake  to  the  value  of  these  problems  and  well  able 
to  undertake  the  work.     What  is  needed  is  cooperation. 

Various  methods  have  been  employed  from  time  to  time 
for  determining  the  character  and  amount  of  microscopic 
life  in  water.  Those  interested  in  the  subject  from  the 
piscatorial  standpoint  have  usually  employed  some  sort 
of  net  for  straining  the  organisms  from  the  water  and 
concentrating  them  for  the  microscope.  One  of  the  best 
devices  of  this  kind  is  that  devised  by  Professor  Reigbard 
and  used  with  good  results  for  studying  the  plankton  in 
Lake  Michigan.  It  consists  of  a  conical  net  of  fine  bolt- 
ing cloth,  at  the  small  end  of  which  there  is  a  'bucket,' 
made  by  covering  a  metal  framework  with  some  of  the 
same  bolting  cloth.  The  apparatus  is  hauled  through 
the  water,  filtering  a  column  of  water  whose  cross  section 
is  the  same  as  the  circular  mouth  of  the  net  and  whose 
length  is  equal  to  the  distance  through  which  the  net  is 
hauled.  The  organisms  are  caught  by  the  fine  bolting 
cloth  and  are  ultimately  washed  into  the  bucket.  The 
collected  material  is  then  removed  by  an  ingenious 
arrangement,  measured  and  sent  to  the  laboratory  for 
microscopical  examination.  By  this  method  one  is  ena- 
bled to  get  a  good  idea  of  the  total  amount  of  suspended 
matter  in  the  water,  but  it  can  hardly  be  called  an  accu- 
rate method  of  obtaining  the  number  of  living  organisms 
present,  as  the  net  sweeps  in  amorphous  matter  as  well 
as  organisms  and  some  of  the  smaller  forms  undoubtedly 
escape  through  the  bolting  cloth.  Moreover,  the  amount 
of  water  actually  filtered  cannot  be  told  with  a  great 
degree  of  accuracy.  Nevertheless,  the  method  is  one  of 
value,  particularly  for  securing  the  larger  and  rarer 
forms  of  rotifers,  Crustacea,  etc. 

Sanitarians  who  have  studied  the  microscopical  organ- 
isms in  water  supplies  have  usually  employed  very  dif- 
ferent methods  from  the  above,  partly  because  they  have 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MlCllOSt^OPlCAL  JOtJRNAL.  343 

been  interested  more  especially  in  the  smaller  forms,  but 
chiefly  because  their  operations  have  been  confined  to  the 
small  quantities  of  water  sent  to  the  laboratories  for 
analysis.  During  the  last  decade  the  old  methods  of 
sediment  examination  have  given  way  to  the  filtration 
methods.  The  Sedgwick-Rafter  method,  which  is  most 
used  at  the  present  time  in  laboratories  of  water  analysis, 
is  carried  on  as  follows : 

A  portion  of  the  water  to  be  examined  is  measured  out 
in  a  graduate  and  filtered  through  a  thin  layer  of  quartz 
sand  placed  at  the  bottom  of  a  glass  funnel  upon  a  per- 
foratedrubber  stopper,  the  hole  in  which  is  capped  with 
a  disc  of  bolting  cloth.  When  the  water  has  filtered 
the  organisms  will  be  found  upon  the  sand  while  the  fil- 
tered water  will  be  free  from  them.  The  rubber  stop- 
per is  then  removed  and  the  sand  washed  into  a  test  tube, 
with  a  measured  quantity  of  distilled  water  delivered 
from  a  pipette.  Usually  2:0  or  500  c.  c.  of  the  sample 
are  filtered  and  the  sand  washed  with  5  c.  c.  The  test 
tube  is  then  thoroughly  shaken  and  the  water  decanted 
into  a  second  tube;  the  organisms  being  lighter  than  the 
sand,  will  pass  off  with  the  water,  leaving  the  sand  clean 
upon  the  walls  of  the  first  tube.  In  this  way  the  organ- 
isms are  concentrated  50  or  100  times.  One  c.  c.  of  this 
concentrated  fluid  is  then  transferred  to  a  counting  cell, 
which  just  holds  it  and  which  has  a  superficial  area  of 
1,000  sq.  mm.  After  putting  a  thin  glass  cover-slip  over 
this  cell  it  is  transferred  to  the  stage  of  the  microscope 
for  examination.  The  eye-piece  of  the  microscope  is  fit- 
ted with  a  micrometer  in  the  shape  of  a  ruled  square  of 
such  a  size  as  to  cover  one  square  ram.  on  the  stage,  i.  e. 
one  thousandth  of  the  entire  ar^^a  of  the  cell.  The  organ- 
isms observed  within  the  limits  of  the  ruled  square  are 
then  counted  and  tlie  cell  moved  until  another  portion 
comes  into  view,  when  another  count  is  made.  Thus  10 
or  20  squares  are  counted  and  the  number  of  organisms 


Digitized  by 


Google 


344  THE  AMBEICAN  MONTHLY  [Nov 

present  in  the  sample  can  then  be  calculated  very  easily. 

This  process  has  many  things  to  be  said  in  its  favor, 
and  it  is  undoubtedly  the  best  all-around  method  for  the 
study  of  the  plankton.  The  apparatus  required  is  simple, 
inexpensive  and  not  liable  to  get  out  of  order.  The  pro- 
cess is  neither  long  nor  difScult,  and  if  care  and  cleanli- 
ness are  observed  in  the  manipulation  very  accurate 
results  may  be  obtained.  Ordinarily  the  quantity  of 
water  operated  upon  is  small,  but  there  is  no  reason  why 
large  filters  may  not  be  used.  The  writer  has  frequently 
used  a  funnel  having  a  neck  one  inch  in  diameter,  filter- 
ing from  1,000  to  10,000  c.  c.  This,  when  used  with  an 
aspirator  to  hasten  the  filtration,  has  given  excellent 
satisfaction.  The  chief  objection  to  the  Sedgwick-Rafter 
method  is  that  delicate  organisms  are  liable  to  be  crushed 
upon  the  sand,  and  this  danger  is  naturally  somewhat 
greater  when  this  aspirator  is  used.  It  is  probably  no 
greater,  however,  than  in  Beighard's  net. 

Recently  a  new  apparatus  has  been  devised  for  the 
study  of  the  microscopical  organisms,  known  as  the 
planktonikrit.  This  is  a  modification  of  the  centrifugal 
machine  and  depends  upon  the  fact  that  the  specific  grav- 
ity of  the  organisms  is  diflFerent  from  that  of  water.  It 
has  the  advantage  of  avoiding,  to  a  certain  degree,  the 
crushing  of  the  delicate  infusoria,  but  it  is  somewhat 
inaccurate  in  the  case  of  some  of  the  lighter  organisms; 
furthermore,  it  operates  upon  very  small  quantities  of 
water. 

In  a  complete  study  of  the  microscopical  organisms, 
such  as  might  be  undertaken  on  our  great  lakes,  for 
example,  it  would  be  advisable  to  use  all  three  methods 
adopting  the  Sedgwick-Rafter  method  for  general  quan- 
titative work,  but  using  the  net  and  centrifugal  appara- 
tus for  determining  the  rare  and  delicate  organisms. 

As  there  are  many  lovers  of  the  microscope  who  are 
interested  in  studying  aquatic  life,  and  as  there  are  many 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897] 


MICE08C0PICAL  JOURNAL. 


345 


others  connected  with  water-works  to  whom  the  study 
of  algsB  and  infusoria  would  be  of  much  value,  the  writer 
has  tried  to  reduce  the  Sedg wick-Rafter  method  to  its 
simplest  possible  elements  in  order  that  it  may  be  more 
generally  used.  Furthermore,  it  is  often  necessary  for 
the  sanitary  biologist  to  be  provided  with  a  portable  out- 
fit for  work  in  the  field.     There  are  many  fragile  organ - 


xst^. 


too 


wBznnnznnnOi 
\za2nnnBmnm 


I 


isms  which  will  not  bear  transportation  to  the  laboratory. 
Uroglena,  for  example,  a  very  important  and  troublesome 
organism  found  in  water  supplies,  goes  to  pieces  com- 
pletely when  kept  for  a  short  time  in  a  stoppered  bottle. 
It  is,  therefore,  necessary  to  make  the  examination  of 
water  immediately  after  the  collection  of  the  sample. 
The  chief  modification  of  the   method  for  field   woik 


Digitized  by 


Google 


846  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Nov 

consists  iu  the  use  of  a  cylindrical  glass  funnel  (fig.  1) 
similar  to  the  one  designed  by  Mr.  D.  D.  Jackson  for  the 
Massachusetts  State  Board  of  Health,  but  diflPerent  from 
it  in  having  a  capacity  of  250  instead  of  500  c.  c.  and  in 
having  graduations  marked  upon  the  sides.  This  funnel 
may  be  conveniently  carried  and  its  graduation  renders 
the  use  of  a  second  measuring  glass  unnecessary.  When 
in  use  it  may  be  supported  on  a  wire  frame,  which  any 
ingenious  person  can  make.  In  place  of  the  test-tube  it 
has  been  found  convenient  to  use  tube  vials  (fig.  2)  having 
square  ends.  These  require  no  racks  and  are  not  easily 
tipped  over.  The  pipette  for  washing  the  sand  might  be 
dispensed  with  if  one  of  the  tube  vials  was  graduated, 
but  as  much  depends  upon  accuracy  in  concentrating 
the  sample  it  is  best  to  use  a  short  pipette  (fig.  7).  The 
sand  (fig.  3)  used  in  the  filter  should  be  perfectly  clean 
and  of  such  size  that  its  grains  will  pass  through  a  3ieve 
having  60  meshes  to  the  inch,  but  not  through  one  having 
100  meshes.  Crushed  quartz  makes  the  best  filtering 
material  and  should  be  used  when  obtainable.  The  discs 
of  bolting  cloth  (fig.  6)  may  be  easily  cut  out  with  a  wad 
cutter.  The  filtered  water  may  be  used  for  concentrating 
the  organisms,  or  it  is  possible  to  employ  preservative 
fluids  in  case  the  microscopical  examination  must  be 
deferred  or  it  is  desired  to  keep  the  specimens.  ,  The  cell 
(fig.  8)  for  holding  the  concentrated  fluid  may  be  made 
by  cementing  a  brass  rim  to  an  ordinary  glass  slip.  It 
should  be  50  mm.  long,  20  wide  and  1  mm.  deep,  thus 
holding  just  1  c.  c.  and  having  a  superficial  area  of  1,000 
sq.  ram. 

A  very  simple  microscope  will  answer  for  this  work. 
A  large  stand  is  too  valuable  and  too  heavy  for  the  ron^h 
usage  in  ihe  field,  and  a  cheap,  light  stand  with  a  ^inch 
or  I  inch  objective  and  a  Nu.  3  ocular  will  answer  equally 
well.  The  ocular  must  be  provided  with  a  micrometer, 
^0  that  the  observer  rpay  count  t|ie  nnnilrr  of  oiganisma 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  347 

ID  one  cu.  mm.  of  the  cell.  A  disc  of  glass  ruled  as  in 
fig.  9  is  the  best  form  of  micrometer,  but  a  piece  of  thin 
metal  with  a  square  cut  out,  as  shown  in  tig.  10,  may  be 
substituted.  In  either  ca^e  the  square  must  be  of  such 
a  size  that  it  covers  one  -sq.  mm.  on  the  stage  with  a 
given  combination  of  objective  and  ocular,  and  a  certain 
tube  lengtli  to  be  found  by  comparison  with  a  stage 
micrometer.  It  is  an  advantage  to  have  at  hand  higher 
powers  for  a  more  thorough  study  of  the  organisms  met 
with,  but  for  ordinary  work  the  powers  suggested  are 
suflBcient. 

All  this  apparatus,  together  with  bottles  f.r  collection 
and  note  book  for  records  may  be  carried  in  i\  grip  sack, 
and  this  will  be  found  generally  the  most  convenient  way. 
It  is  possible,  however,  to  make  a  neat  box,  with  com- 
partments for  holding  the  microscope,  funnels,  tube, 
vials,  etc.,  and  I  respectfully  submit  this  to  manufacturers 
of  microscopical  supplies. — Science, 

Astronomical  Photography    with  Photomicrographic 
Apparatus. 

A.  CLIFFOKU   MERCKR,  M.  D. 
Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

On  the  twentieth  of  October,  1892, occurred  a  partial 
eclipse  oF  tlie  sun,  and  my  heliostat  was  placed  on  a  shelf 
outside  a  ^outh  window.  Wiihin  the  room  was  a  piu- 
trait  lens  of  eight  inches  focus  and  a  microscope  in  ihe 
small  axial  line.  The  substage  condenser  was  remn\  rd 
a!id  a  camera  conneft»'d  with  the  eye  end  of  the  micro- 
scope tube.  Such  sunlight  as  fell  on  the  mirror  of 
the  heliostat  was  reflected  through  the  portrait  lens 
The  portrait  lens  projected  an  image  of  the  clouded  sun's 
disc,  about  one-twelfth  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  in  thn 
]dane  usually  occupied  by  an  object  on  the  stage  oT  the 
microscope.     This    tiny  image    wj^s   itself   projeited    ly 


Digitized  by 


Google 


348  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Nov 

a  microscope  objective  of  an  inch  and  a  half  focus  to  form 
a  second  image,  two  inches  and  three-eighths  in  diam- 
eter, on  the  ground-glass  of  the  camera.  The  clouds 
made  sharp  focusing  impossible.  Only  an  imperfect 
focus  was  obtained.  The  clock  of  the  heliostat  kept  the 
image  steadily  on  the  ground  glass. 

During  the  eclipse  sensitized  plates  were  substituted 
for  the  ground-glass.  Exposures  were  made  when  the 
clouds  were  thin  enough  to  permit.  Thus  six  negatives 
were  secured.  The  first  print  shows  the  moon's  black 
disc,  advancing  apparently  from  the  north-east  across 
the  sun's  disc,  while  the  second  shows  the  moon's  disc, 
passing  oflFto  the  west. 

This  is  the  first  record  of  an  attempt  to  use  photomic- 
rography astronomically.  All  of  the  necessary  appa- 
ratus could  be  easily  packed  in  a  trunk.  If  an  unaided 
telescope  objective  were  used  to  project  an  image  of  the 
size  obtained,  a  focus  of  twenty-one  feet  would  be  re- 
quired; and  the  lens  would  have  a  diameter  of  about  six- 
teen inches.  Such  an  objective  properly  mounted  would 
result  in  an  instrument  nearly  half  as  large  as  the  great 
Lick  telescope,  with  its  photographic  objective.  By 
using  a  portrait  lens  having  a  focus  of  fifteen  or  sixteen 
inches,  a  size  commonly  used  for  **cabinets''  in  photog- 
raphers' studios,  instead  of  the  portrait  lens,  the  appa- 
ratus will  produce  a  negative  image  equal  in  size  to  that 
produced  by  the  unaided  Lick  lens;  or,  leaving  the  por- 
trait lens  in  place,  the  same  result  could  be  obtained  by 
substituting  for  the  microscope  objective  of  one  inch  and 
a  half  focus,  another  of  about  double  the  power, — one  of 
three-quarters  of  an  inch  focus.  The  Lick  instrument 
has  a  tube  about  fifty  feet  long  and  forty-two  inches  in 
diameter,  while  this  apparatus  has  two  tubes  less  than 
one  foot  long  and  about  one  inch  and  six  inches  in 
diameter  respectively.  To  the  smaller  tube  is  attached 
a  camera   with  a  bt?llows   extendinj?   from   one   to  six 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18971  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  349 

feet.  Stability  and  freedom  from  vibration  are  very 
easily  obtained  with  the  small  and  short  apparatus 
The  diflFerence  in  cost  is  enormous.  In  several  re- 
spects the  photomicrographic  arrangement  has  advan- 
tages over  the  great  Lick  photographic  instrument. 

If,  however,  we  turn  to  the  matters  of  light  and 
separating  power,  the  very  great  superiority  of  the 
Lick  objective  is  seen.  The  results  given  in  the  fol- 
lowing tabular  compacrison  are  only  approximately 
accurate.  The  loss  light  suflFers  by  absorption  as  it 
passes  through  glass  and  by  reflection  at  incident  sur- 
faces, is  not  taken  into  account; — the  Lick  objective  con- 
sisting of  three  thick  lenses  and  the  photomicro- 
graphic arrangement  having  more  than  twice  as  many, 
but  comparatively  very  thin,  lenses  and  the  mirror's 
reflecting  surface: 

Lick  Larger  Smaller 

ObjectiTe.  Portrait  Lens.        Portrait  Lens. 

Diameter  of  objective 33  in.  3.75  in.  2  in. 

Focas  of  objective 550  in.  15  in.  8  in. 

Focus  divided  by  diameter 16.66  4  4 

Relative  value  of  light  in   first 

image 1  16  16 

Size  of  first  image 5.1  in  .1395  in.  .0744  in. 

Total  equivalent  focns,   550  in- 
ches, divided  by  diameter 16.66  147  275 

Relative  value  of  light  in   final 

image 1  77  ^ 

Time  of  exposure,  eclipse  of  sun  1  1  j 

(about)  ^60()   sec.  go^ec.  gsec. 

Separating    power 1  g^  ^^}^ 

Other  things  being  equal,  separating  power  varies 
with  the  aperture  or  diameter  of  the  objective.  If  the 
lick  objective,  having  an  aperture  of  thirty-three  inches, 
could  barely  show  a  certain  double  star  as  two  distinct 
stars,  it  would  be  impossible  for  any  objective  having  an 
aperture  of  four  or  two  inches  to  show  such  a  double 
star  as  two  distinct  stars.  A  star  apparently  single  when 
seen  through  any  objective  having  an  aperture   of    two 


Digitized  by 


Google 


350  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Nov 

inches  might  be  seen  to  consist  of  sixteen  op  seventeen 
stars  in  line,  almost  touching  one  another  when  seen 
through  the  Lick  photographic  objective.  A  star  appar- 
ently  single  when  seen  through  any  objective,  having  an 
aperture  of  three  inches  and  three-quarters  might  be 
seen  to  consist  of  eight  or  nine  stars  in  line,  almost  touch- 
ing one  another,  when  seen  through  the  Lick  photo- 
graphic objective.  The  power  of  resolving  an  apparent 
single  star  into  two  or  more,  or  of  showing  the  details  of 
sun  spots  or  other  objects,  is  known  as  separating  power. 
A  superior  correction  of  aberrations  is  now  possible  in 
lenses  made  of  small  discs  of  glass  which  are  produced  in 
great  variety  as  to  optical  properties,  a  variety  not  yet 
realised,  in  large  discs. — Tr.  A.  M.  8. 


Progress  in  Effects  with  the  Roentgen  X-Rays. 

To  see  through  a  person  in  a  metaphorical  sense  has 
been  the  wish  of  most  people  at  some  time  or  another, 
but  it  has  now  become  a  literal  fact  hy  means  of  the 
occult  rays,  popularly  known  as  the  X-rays  (on  account 
of  their  exact  properties  not  being  understood),  discov- 
ered by  Professor  Roentgen  of  the  University  of  Wurz- 
burg.  It  seems  inexplicable  that  with  the  art  of  photo- 
graphy, so  highly  developed  as  it  has  been  for  many 
years,  and  with  the  experiments  that  have  been  taking 
place  in  laboratories  all  over  the  world  in  radiant  matter 
in  vacuum  tubes,  that  we  should  have  had  to  wait  for  the 
year  1896  for  this  discovery  to  have  been  made  practi- 
cally available  ;  it  only  leads  us  to  reflect  that  *'  there  are 
more  things  in  heaven  and  earth  than  are  dreamt  of  in 
our  philosophy,"  and  that  there  is  yet  room  for  fresh  and 
startling  inventions  and  discoveries. 

The  first  announcement  of  Prof.  Roentgen's  discovery 
that  rays  from  a  Crooke's  or  Lennard's  tube  of  high 
vacuum  had  a  power  of  penetrating  numerous  substances, 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  351 

sach  as  wood^  leather,  fleshy  etc.,  which  hitherto  had  been 
classed  as  opaque,  was  received  with  incredulity,  but  the 
circumstantial  description  of  the  methods  employed  ena- 
bled persons  possessing  the  requisite  instruments  to 
repeat  the  experiments  and  to  confirm  the  report.  Not 
the  least  important  aspect  of  the  discovery  was,  that  it 
was  likely  to  prove  a  valuable  means  of  contributing  to 
the  relief  of  some  of  the  ills  to  which  flesh  is  heir,  by 
exhibiting  details  of  bony  structure  of  the  living  subject, 
bone  being  opaque  to  these  rays,  while  flesh  is  practi- 
cally transparent. 

Two  special  features  are  associated  with  these  X-rays, 
(a)  that  the  emulsion  on  an  ordinary  photographic  dry 
plate  is  sensitive  to  them,  and  (b)  that  certain  chemical 
salts  become  fluorescent,  that  is,  appear  aglow  with 
light  under  their  influence. 

Let  us  examine  these  features  in  detail.  Prof.  Roent- 
gen found  that  if«e  photographic  dry  plate  were  enclosed 
in  a  wooden  box,  and  a  coin  were  placed  on  the  outside 
of  the  box  with  the  vacuum  tube  above,  on  the  tube  being 
excited  by  means  of  an  electric  current  the  X-rays  pene- 
trated the  wood,  (which  is  practically  transparent  to 
them)  but  not  the  coin,  with  the  result  that  the  image 
of  the  coin  appeared  on  the  plate  inside  the  box  on  its 
being  developed.  In  like  manner,  if  the  hand  were 
placed  on  the  box,  the  bones  being  opaque  to  the  rays 
were  shadowed  on  the  dry  plate. 

The  title  of  photography  as  ordinarily  understood  was 
not  applicable  to  these  eflFects,  and  the  name  of  radio- 
graphy was,  after  considerable  discussion,  given  to  the 
process.  It  at  once  became  apparent  that  a  large  field 
for  investigation  and  experiment  had  been  opened,  and 
it  was  not  long  ere  the  London  hospitals  were  employing 
the  X-rays  for  the  investigation  of  bone  diseases  and 
fractures,  and  for  ascertaining  the  exact  position  of  for- 
eign bodies,  such  as  bullets,  shots,  needles,  etc.,  in  the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


352  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Nov 

flesh  with  the  view  to  their  easy  and  speediest  removal. 
We  have  already  shown  in  this  periodical  the  bones  of 
the  hand  of  an  Egyptian  Mummy,  radiographed  through 
the  wrappings,  flesh,  etc.,  the  structure  being  exhibited 
beautifully.     Herewith  is  a  radiograph  of  a  fracture  of 


the  Olecranon  process  of  the  elbow,  and  a  radiograph  of 
the  human  hand  will  appear  as  frontispiece  next  issue. 

Great  diflBculty  was  experienced  in  the  early  days  in 
penetrating  deep  structure;  and  radiographing  ribs,  ver- 
tebra, etc.,  presented  considerable  diflBculties,  but  as  th^ 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  363 

resalts  of  experiments,  improvements  were  made  in 
nearly  all  the  apparatus  that  was  necessary,  and  qnite 
recently  Dr.  Macintyre  of  Glasgow,  Scotland,  has  suc- 
cessfully radiographed  a  calculus  of  the  kidney  en  situ 
which  was  subsequently  found  to  have  been  precisely 
delineated  on  the  operating  table.  The  same  gentleman 
has  also  successfully  radiographed  the  ribs  and  vertebraB 
of  adult  men,  obtaining  at  the  same  time  faint  outlines 
of  important  organs,  particularly  the  heart,  in  one  case 
of  which  an  enlargement  was  distinctly  portrayed,  but 
we  are  to  have  further  developments  yet. 

An  interesting  feature  in  connection  with  the  Roent- 
gen rays  is  its  usefulness  in  detecting  imitation  gems 
both  diamonds  and  rubies  being  transparent  to  the  Roent- 
gen rays,  while  imitations  in  glass  or  paste  are  opaque  to 
them.  Already  a  considerable  use  has  been  made  of 
this  aspect.  The  process  is  also  exceedingly  useful  for 
examining  the  contents  of  postal  packets,  anything  of  a 
metallic  nature  being  at  once  detected  if  contained  in  a 
wooden  box.  The  only  protection  against  such  a  revela- 
tion is  of  course  to  pack  goods  in  a  metal  box  through 
which  the  rays  will  not  penetrate.  It  is  rumoured  that 
instruments  are  already  in  use  in  the  General  Post  OfBce, 
London,  for  examing  packets  and  the  English  War 
Department  has  invested  in  a  considerable  number  of  sets 
with  a  view  to  locating  bullets  on  the  battle  field  and  so 
saving  the  painful  and  tedious  operation  of  probing. 

The  Fluorescent  Screen  : —  It  was  remarked  that 
under  the  influence  of  the  X  rays  certain  chemical  salts 
have  the  power  of  becoming  brilliantly  illuminated  and 
of  rendering  visible  objects  which  are  opaque  to  the  rays 
that  are  interposed  between  the  vacuum  tube  and  the 
fluoresceut  screen.  For  instance,  if  the  hand  be  placed 
between  the  fluorescent  screen  and  the  vacuum  tube  the 
bones  will  be  distinctly  shadowed  on  the  screen  while  the 
flesh  will  be  almost  transparent,  if  the  body  be  interposed 


Digitized  by 


Google 


354  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Nov 

the  ribs  and  vertebrae  will  be  distinctly  visible.  Several 
materialfl  have  been  suggested  for  the  manufacture  of 
these  screens  but  probably  the  most  successful  has  been 
Platino-cyanide  of  Potassium.  This  salt,  however,  varies 
very  considerably  in  its  fluorescent  properties  and  quan- 
tities from  the  same  manufacturer  purchased  at  separate 
times  do  not  yield  uniform  results.  The  method  of  pre- 
paration is  as  follows :  The  Platino-cyanide  is  ground  as 
finely,  as  possible  with  a  pestle  and  mortar.  It  is  then 
mixed  with  weak  clear  gum  water  and  spread  evenly  upon 
a  thin  sheet  of  cardboard.  One  coat  alone  at  a  time 
should  be  given  and  allowed  to  dry;  two  or  three  coats 
are  usually  suflBcient.  Owing  to  the  expense  of  the 
material  and  the  chances  of  failure  in  preparing,  it  has 
usually  been  found  more  economical  to  purchase  ready 
made  screens.  Calcium  tnngstate  was  the  material  sug- 
gested by  Edison  for  these  screens  but  it  does  not  com- 
pare favorably  with  Platino-cyanide  of  Potassium. 

A  new  screen  has  recently  been  placed  on  the  market 
by  Watson  &  Sons,  London,  which  surpasses  in  brilliance 
others  that  have  been  so  far  made.  The  material  is  a 
secret  preparation  but  with  a  good  focus  tube  it  enables 
the  bones  (ribs,  vertebrae,  etc.)  of  an  adult  person  to  be 
seen  clearly. 

Apparatus  : — At  the  outset  extravagant  rumors  were 
set  afloat  as  to  the  cost  of  the  necessary  instruments,  but 
the  outfit  has  now  been  reduced  to  a  battery,  an  induc- 
tion coil  and  a  vacuum  tube. 

Additional  but  not  absolutely  necessary  apparatus, 
would  be  a  holder  for  the  tube,  and  a  fluorescent  screen. 
The  battery  may  consist  of  either  Bunsen's  or  Grove's 
bells  or  a  4  cell  accumulator  giving  8  volts  and  a  current 
of  about  8  amperes. 

The  Coil  : — A  Buhmkorff  Induction  Coil  giving  a  Sinch 
spark  only  is  suflBcient  for  obtaining  Radiographs  of  the 
arm,  leg,  etc.  but  if  deeper  structures  are  to  be  dealt  with 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  355 

it  is  well  to  have  a  coil  giving  a  greater  length  of  spark, 
say  6  inches.  The  tube  is  much  more  brilliantly  illumin- 
ated with  such  a  coil,  exposure  is  shortened  and  deep 
structures  more  easily  penetrated.  There  is  another  rea- 
son  also  why  so  large  a  coil  as  a  6  inch  should  be  taken. 
With  use  the  vacuum  of  a  tube  becomes  higher  and  is  con- 
sequently more  difficult  to  excite.  Warming  with  a  spirit 
lamp  will  reduce  the  vacuum  but  it  is  not  nearly  so  satis- 
factory as  being  able  to  excite  the  tube  direct  from  the 
coil. 

The  Tube  : — More  failures  in  working  have  been  due 
to  defective  tubes  than  to  anything  else,  in  fact  a  large 
majority  of  the  tubes  that  have  been  sent  out  have  been 
absolutely  worthless.  It  is  unwise  to  buy  any  tube  with- 
out a  guarantee  of  its  suitability  and  perfection  in  work- 
ing and  where  such  a  guarantee  is  obtained  the  price  is 
usually  somewhat  high.  Still  it  is  better  to  pay  a  fair 
price  for  a  good  article  than  to  have  several  unsatisfac- 
tory tubes  at  a  low  price. 

As  tubes  are  somewhat  liable  to  damage  it  is  well  to  be 
provided  with  two  or  three.  No  absolute  statement  can 
be  made  as  to  the  length  of  life  of  a  tube.  The  writer  has 
one  in  use  which  has  been  constantly  employed  for  the 
past  three  months  and  is  as  good  as  ever,  while  others 
have  sometimes  failed  in  some  particular  after  a  very 
short  period  of  use.  We  have  experimented  with  tubes 
by  all  makers  and  have  spared  no  expense  in  having  the 
latest  patterns  as  they  have  been  issued,  but  in  our  hands 
the  focus  tube  as  manufactured  by  W.  Watson  &  Sons 
surpasses  every  other  kind  both  for  the  fluorescent  screen 
and  for  radiographic  effects. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  the  whole  process  is  in  its 
infancy  and  time  alone  will  show  in  which  direction 
further  successful  progress  in  the  methods  will  be  made. 
Supplementary  apparatus  will  also  appear  to  augment  its 
usefulness. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


356  THE  AMERICAN  JtONTHLTf  [Nov 

EDITOSIAL. 

Laboratory. — The  best  equipped  and  most  complelc 
bacteriological  laboratory  on  the  Pacific  coast  is  owned  and 
conducted  by  Prof.  S.  M.  Mouser,  at  707  Bush  street,  San 
Francisco.  Professor  Mouser  has  devoted  many  years  of 
his  life  to  the  study  of  this  comparatively  recent,  but  rap- 
idly growing"  science.  He  has  secured  all  the  latest  instru- 
ments and  scientific  appliances,  and  is  constantly  in 
receipt  of  all  the  important  pathogenic  bacilli  cultures  for 
experimental,  teaching  and  therapeutic  purposes.  It  is 
gratifying  to  note  that  the  Professor's  labors  are  appre- 
ciated, notwithstanding  that  many  of  our  ancient  confreres 
are  still  scoffing  at  the  science.  Besides  being  Professor 
of  Bacteriology  and  Pathology  in  the  College  of  Physicians 
and  Surgeons  of  San  Francisco,  Dr.  Mouser  daily  conducts 
large  private  classes  in  bacteriology  and  pathology  at  his 
laboratory,  as  well  as  doing  private  analytical  work  for  the 
profession  on  the  coast. 

The  Danger  from  Bovine  Tuberculosis. —  Dr.  W.  L. 
West  of  Ellsworth,  Me.,  has  reported  to  Dr.  G.  H.  Bailey 
that  two  children  of  a  man  named  Luther  Bridges  have 
recently  died  of  tuberculosis,  due  to  drinking  milk  from  a 
cow  which  was  found,  when  killed,  to  be  the  subject  of 
extensive  tubercular  disease,  localized  in  the  udder.  Five 
of  Bridges'  nine  children  are  suffering  from  pulmonary 
tuberculosis  and  several  are  now,  according  to  the  report, 
fatally  ill. 


nUSOSCOPICAL  APPARATUS. 


Micrometer  Rulings. — On  May  21st,  1897,  there  was  ex- 
hibited before  the  New  York  Microscopical  Society  a  very 
simple  piece  of  mechanism  for  producing  fine  rulings  on 
glass.  The  inventions  hitherto  employed  for  this  .pur- 
pose have -been  elaborate  and  costly,  while  on  this  article 
from  the  labor  of  an  ordinary  machinist  the  cost  was  less 
than  five  dollars.     To  rule  lines  accurately  up  to  fifty 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897] 


MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL. 


357 


thousand  to  the  inch  and  more  by  such  an  appliance  seems 
almost  incredible. 

The  inventor,  Rev.  D.  W.  Smith,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
having-  need  of  some  work  of  this  kind  to  assist  him  in 
certain  experiments,  with  a  few  pieces  of  metal  and  glass 
evolved  the  machine  referred  to.  He  states  that,  beyond 
forty  or  fifty  lines  to  the  inch,  the  task  of  ruling  lies  more 


:^^     A 


DESCRIPTION  OF   FIGURE. 

A. — Micronometer  screw  operating  upon  the  base  of  the  movable   wedge. 

B. — Movable  wedge,  adjnsted  by  set  screws  working  in  contHct  with 
strips  of  plate  glass. 

C. — Brass  block,  having  only  lateral  movement  caused  by  the  thrust  of  the- 
wedge 

D. — Diamond  carrier,  easily  adjusted  to  any  position  fend  weight  neces- 
sary for  any  degree  of  cutting,  and  moved  laterally  by  the  brass  block  and 
longitudinally  by  hand. 

E.— Graduated  drum  upon  the  micrometer  screw. 

F,  F. — Iron  base  supporting  the  entire  apparatus. 

The  following  parts,  for  distinctness,  are  not  represented  in  the  figure 
A  broad  clamping  nut  supporting  the  micrometer  screw;  an  index  for  the 
graduated  drum ;  and  the  retaining  springs  holding  the  movable  portions  in 
contact. 

in  the  proper  selection  of  diamond  points  or  crystals,  nec- 
essary for  lines  of  the  required  fineness,  than  in  the  accu- 
racy of  the  machine. 

The  principle  involved  is  that  of  a  screw,  operating*  upon 
a  wedg-e  of  brass,  moviYig  the  latter  longitudinally  on  the 
supported  bed.  The  screw  contains  sixty  threads  to  the 
inch,  which  number  is  by  no  means  an  arbitrary  one.  For 
the  wedge  is  capable  of  adjustment  by  means  of  set  screws 


Digitized  by 


Google 


358  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Nov 

which  serve  to  correct  its  movements  to  correspond 
with  the  inch  or  millimeter  to  be  ruled.  In  this  case  one 
revolution  of  the  screw  moves  the  wedge  so  that  its  lateral 
displacement  is  equal  to  one  one-thousandth  of  an  inch. 
This  lateral  displacement  of  the  moving  wedge  operates 
on  a  block  of  brass  resting  on  three  points  projecting  from 
its  base.  By  the  side  of  this  block  of  brass  is  operated 
the  diamond  carrier.  The  points  of  contact  for  the  entire 
system  of  screw,  wedge,  block  of  brass  and  diamond  car- 
rier, operate  upon  pieces  of  plate  glass — plate  glass  strips 
where  contact  points  move  on  wedge  and  block,  and  plate 
glass  bed  resting  on  an  iron  base,  which  supports  the 
longitudinal  and  lateral  movements  of  the  block  of  brass 
and  the  diamond  carrier.  This  give  a  smooth  and  accu- 
rate motion  to  all  the  working  parts,  which  could  be  other- 
wise obtained  only  by  expensive  and  carefully  polished 
steel  surfaces. 

This  is  a  general  description  of  the  first  working  model 
so  far  as  is  known,  using  the  principle  of  the  wedge  as  a 
means  of  adjustment  and  correction,  and  of  imparting  the 
motion  of  a  decreasing  gear  from  the  screw  which  is  nec- 
essary for  such  work.  A  considerable  motion  of  the 
screw  is  thus  given  for  minute  divisions,  thereby  ensur- 
ing uniform  and  accurate  rulings. 

The  device  for  carrying  the  diamond,  as  first  used,  was 
a  single  carriage,  moved  back  and  forth  by  hand  along 
the  glass  bed  plate,  and  held  in  its  place  to  the  brass 
block  by  means  of  contact  springs.  Afterwards  for  con- 
venience, a  triple  link  carriage  was  made,  that  is,  three 
separate  parts  hung  by  three  trunnion  points  of  hardened 
steel  accurately  turned.  Though  much  more  scientific 
and  easier  of  use  the  results,  up  to  thirty  or  forty 
thousand  lines,  was  hardly  worth  the  trouble  of  its 
construction,  save  the  chance  of  any  disturbance  of  the 
diamond  point  by  accidental  handling  of  the  diamond 
during  ruling. 

With  a  little  more  trouble  the  entire  arrangement 
could  be  easily  adjusted  to  become  entirely  automatic  in 
its  movements,  whereas  in  the  present  model  the  move- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  359 

ment  of  the  screw  and  that  of  the  diamond  carrier  re- 
quires separate  and  distinct  operations.  With  the  screw 
thus  connected  a  motion  is  given  to  the  diamond  covering* 
a  space  of  about  one-fifth  of  an  inch  in  width.  Thus 
a  screw  sixteen  inches  long  would  give  movement  enough 
to  rule  a  spectrum  band  one  inch  square. 


HIGBOSGOPICAL  MANIPULATION. 


Drinking  Water. — Schumburg  has  thoroughly  gone 
into  all  known  methods  of  purifying  drinking  water,  and 
finds  that  bromine  is  the  only  disinfectant  which  can  be 
removed  after  serving  its  purpose,  without  spoiling  the 
appearance  and  taste  of  the  water.  The  quantity  of  brom- 
ine used  is  very  small;  1  kilogramme  is  suflScient  to  ster- 
ilize 16,000  litres  of  water.  The  author  uses  the  bromine 
in  the  following  solution :— Water,  100;  potassium  bromide, 
20;  bromine,  20.  0-2  C.c.  of  this  solution  is  sufl&cient  to 
sterilize  in  five  minutes  1  litre  of  water  from  the  river 
Spree.  The  calcium  salts  or  ammonia  of  very  impure 
river  or  surface  water  use  up  some  of  the  bromine  before 
it  has  had  time  to  develop  its  disinfectant  properties.  In 
such  cases  enough  must  be  added  to  cause  a  slight  yellow 
coloration  of  the  water,  which  should  last  at  least  half  a 
minute.  The  0-2  C.c.  of  bromine  solution  may  be  removed 
by  adding  an  equal  quantity  of  9  per  cent  ammonia. — 
Pharm.  Zeitg.y  xlii.,  174. 


BACTERIOLOGY. 


Baldness. — Dr.  Sabouraud,  in  the  Annales  de  Dermat- 
ologie,  firmly  believes  that  the  disease  is  contagious,  and 
that  barbers'  instruments  are  the  most  common  carriers 
of  the  contagion;  but  as  customers  come  and  go  from  one 
barber  to  another,  it  is  difficult  to  trace  each  case  to  its 
source.  Starting  with  the  theory  of  the  microbic  origin  of 
the  disease,  Sabouraud  has  worked  out  a  strong  chain  of 
evidence  in  its  support.  He  tells  us  that  the  typical  hair  of 
Alopecia  areata  is  found  at  the  edge  of  an  advancing  patch 


Digitized  by 


Google 


360  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Nov 

and  is  a  stump  of  long-  hair  that  has  remained  in  the  scalp. 
It  is  club  shaped,  or  like  an  interrogation  point.  Its  diam- 
eter becomes  less  as  we  go  towards  the  root,  and  its  color 
is  lost.  These  hairs  are  always  a  sign  of  an  advancing 
patch,  and  are  not  found  in  old  patches.  The  medullary 
(or  pit)  canal  of  these  hairs  is  normal  above,  altered  in  the 
middle,  and  it  is  completely  wanting  at  the  root.  The 
root  is  not  bulbous  and  hollowed  for  the  papilla,  but  in  the 
form  of  a  turnip.  .  .  .  Utricules  that  are  full  and 
closed  are  found  among  the  sound  hairs.  They  are  filled 
with  joined  strata  of  epidermic  cells,  and  contain  in  their 
centers,  like  a  larva  in  a  cocoon,  compact  clusters  of 
microbes,  a  pure  culture  of  the  smallest  bacillus  known. 

.  .  .  As  it  grows  old  it  may  be  one  quarter  millimeter 
(0.01  inch)  wide  and  one-half  to  one  millimeter  long,  and 
comma  shaped,  or  bent.  The  young  bacilli  are  a  little 
swollen  in  the  center,  and  their  ends  are  blunt.  .  .  . 
Each  utricule  contains  millions  of  them.  .  .  .  This 
bacillus  is  regarded  as  the  most  probable  cause  of  the 
disease. — Sd.  Am. 

Leprosy. — Leprosy  furnishes  the  best  opportunity  for 
studying  a  parasite  of  a  bacterial  nature.  The  relation  of 
the  cells  can  be  plainly  shown,  since  they  do  so  little  dam- 
age. Regarding  the  phagocyte  theory:  As  Dr.  Rosen- 
stirn  says,  inert  substances  can  be  taken  up  by  the  leuco- 
cytes. It  has  been  said  that  the  bacteria  that  we  stain  are 
dead;  that  they  have  a  keratin-like  envelope  capable  of 
dying.  In  several  forms  of  leprosy  they  are  hard  to  find, 
especially  in  erythematous  cases.  The  discovery  of  bac- 
teria floating  free  in  the  blood  is  not  new.  It  is  remarkable 
that  they  can  float  through  the  kidneys  and  do  no  damage, 
but  they  seem  to  take  up  in  certain  tissues;  for  instance, 
the  eye-brows,  and  not  the  scalp. 

It  is  the  concensus  of  opinion  that  a  leucocyte  cannot 
pick  up  a  bacterium  unless  it  be  dead ;  it  being  a  process 
of  digestion.  The  action  is  such  that  if  the  bacterium 
remained  there  long  alive,  either  one  or  the  other  must  die; 
they  are  so  antagonistic  to  one  another.  There  is  no  rea- 
.  son  why  the  leucocyte  cannot  take  up  30  or  40  bacilli. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  361 

Caseous  Rhinitis. —  During*  the  last  year  or  two  Prof. 
Guarnaccia  (Archivii  Italiani  di  Laring-olog-ia,  No.  4,  1896) 
has  made  bacteriological  researches  upon  caseous  rhinitis. 
These  studies  refer  to  a  case  observed  by  Massei  in  his 
clinic.  Guarnaccia  has  demonstrated  that  the  micro- 
org-anism  found  in  rhinitis  caseosa,  which  was  so  differ- 
ently understood  by  Perier,  Sabrazes,  etc.,  is  streptothrix 
alba,  or  Foersterii,  studied  by  Rossi-Doria,  Cohn,  and 
Gasperini.  The  author  was  able  to  cultivate  it  in  agar 
gelatin,  bouillon,  blood-serum,  potatoes,  and  milk.  Inocu- 
lations in  animals  were  not  successful.  It  is  perfectly 
correct,  in  his  opinion,  to  assume  that  the  considerable 
amount  of  caseous  matter  is  formed  by  the  g-rowth  of  the 
streptothrix,  as  is  the  case  in  mug-uet. — Universal  Medi- 
cal Journal. 

Tuberculosis  in  Goats. — From  the  following  it  will  be 
seen  that  the  hitherto  accepted  theory  that  goats  are 
immune  to  tuberculosis  is  not  altogether  correct.  Bulling 
(Indian  Medical  Record)  records  a  case  of  pulmonary 
tuberculosis  in  a  goat.  Both  lungs  were  adherent,  and 
large  and  small  tuberculous  foci  were  present.  The 
author  concludes  that  it  would  be  well  to  examine  into  the 
possibility  of  the  transmission  of  tuberculosis  through  the 
agency  of  goats,  and  to  consume  their  milk  only  after  boil- 
ing, or  after  the  goat  has  been  shown  to  be  free  from 
tuberculosis  by  the  absence  of  reaction  after  the  injection 
of  tuberculin. 


MICRO  ^COPKAL   NOTJX 


Circulation  of  Blood. — Most  books  recommend  the  use 
of  a  frog's  foot  for  this  purpose  and  give  directions  for 
accomplishing  the  purpose.  The  object  may  easily  be 
attained  with  a  small  tadpole,  lizzard,  and  with  many  of 
the  larger  water  larvae.  The  latter  will  show  the  circu- 
lation all  through  the  body.  With  the  lizzard  and  tadpole, 
it  may  best  be  seen  in  the  thin  membranes  of  their  tails. 
All  that  is  necessary  is  to  place  the  animal  in  a  glass  slip 
with  a  shallow  cell  and  cover  it. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


362  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Nov 

MICROSCOPICAL  SOCIETIES. 


American    Microscopical  Society. 

The  iSq7  Meeting, — It  was  held  at  Toledo  but  owing-  to 
the  attraction  of  the  A.  A.  A.  S.,  and  the  British  Associa- 
tion at  Toronto  and  the  lack  of  preparation  for  the  meet- 
ing it  proved  almost  an  entire  failure.  The  Toledo  pap- 
ers paid  almost  no  attention  to  the  matter  and  sent  no  re- 
porters to  the  meeting.  From  two  short  notices  in  the  To- 
ledo Blade,  however,  we  are  able  to  glean  the  following- : 

Thursday  August ^^ — Meeting  opened  in  the  High  School 
building  with  an  address  by  the  President,  E.  W.  Clay- 
pole,  upon  *'Microscopic  Light  in  Geological  Darkness." 
Only  a  small  number  of  persons  were  present  they  being 
mostly  Toledo  microscopists  and  their  friends.  An  in- 
formal talk  or  "reception"  followed  the  address. 

Friday  Aug.  6, — The  meeting  for  business  commenced 
at  9:30  a.  m.,  (with  a  dozen  present),  and  after  unimportant 
matters  had  been  discussed.  Prof.  D.  S.  Kellicott  of  Colum- 
bus, Ohio,  spoke  on  the  "Capture  and  Study  of  Rotifers." 
Miss  Edith  J.  Claypole,  a  daughter  of  the  President  read 
a  technical  paper  on  "Comparative  Structure  of  the  Dig-es- 
tive  Tract."  Francis  L.  Rice,  of  Steelton,  Pa.,  had  ex- 
pected to  present  a  "microscopic  examination  of  steel." 

Friday  P,  \f. — No  meeting.  'Phe  visitors  were  escorted 
about  town  by  citizens  to  see  "various  points  of  pleasure 
and  interest." 

Friday  F7'emfrg. —Soiree.  All  the  available  microscopes 
in  Toledo  were  brought  to  the  Library  Building  and  the 
miscellaneous  public  were  shown  the  usual  wonders  of  the 
invisible  realm.  "Every  body  who  has  any  interest  in 
these  matters  should  avail  themselves  of  the  opportunity," 
was  the  invitation  to  the  public.  "The  public  except 
small  children,  is  cordially  invited."  "There  were  nearly 
100  instruments  of  all  sizes  the  lens  of  some  of  them  being 
extremely  powerful." 

Saturday  Aug,  j, — The  sessions  closed  with  the  election 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897)  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  363 

of  officers  and  the  reading-  of  two  papers.   No  new  persons 
tieing-  available  for  president  it  was  thoug-ht  wise  to  elect 
one  of  the  early  presidents  again. 
The  list  for  1897-8  is  as  follows  : 

President,  D.  S.  Kellicott. 
Vice-President,  Mrs.  S.  H.  Gage. 

V.  A.  Moore. 
Secretary,  Dr.    W.  C.  Krauss. 
Treasurer,  Magnus  Pflaum. 
Committee,   Dr.  D.  E.  Haag,   Edith  Claypole, 
and  John  M.  Berry. 
The  Secretary  and  Treasurer  are  hold-overs. 
A  paper  was  then  read  by  Agnes  M.  Claypole  on  '*Forms 
of  Cleavage  in  eggs  of  certain  Arthropods."      The  other 
paper  of  like  technical  character  was  by  John  M.  Berry  of 
Peterboro,  N.  Y.,  on  ^'Phagocytic  Action  of  Leucocytes 
in  Amphibians  and  Mammals. 

The  society  then  adjourned  to  meet  at  such  time  and 
place  as  the  committee  may  hereafter  agree  upon.  It 
seems  that  no  invitations  were  received  by  the  society 
for  next  year  and  no  exhibits,  working  sessions,  excur- 
sions or  banquets  were  connected  with  the  meeting  this 
year.  The  Blade  says  :  ''While  the  attendance  was  not  so 
large  as  had  been  anticipated  the  interest  of  those  present 
was  none  the  less  apparent."  It  also  announces  that  one 
enthusiast,  J.  C.  Smith,  had  come  all  the  way  -from  New 
Orleans,  to  attend  and  that  there  were  two  or  three  people 
from  Fort  Wayne,  Ind. 

Certainly  the  thanks  of  Toledo  are  due  to  the  Professor 
Claypole  and  his  two  daughters,  without  whose  presence 
the  meeting  would  have  lost  largely  and  whose  papers  con- 
stitute in  bulk  three  quarters  of  all  the  mental  pabulum 
furnished  the  visitors.  The  Blade  properly  acknowledges 
this  by  saying  :  "Perhaps  the  best  known  microscopists 
in  this  section  are  Prof.  Claypole  and  his  two  daughters, 
who  are  always  among  the  leaders  in  any  event  that  tends 
to  create  microscopic  interest." 

Our  society  is  indebted  to  Dr.  D.  E.  Haag  for  securing 
the  school  room  for  its  use  and  for  working  up  the  exhibi- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


364  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Nov 

tion  of  objects  at  the  Soiree.  It  appears  to  have  shown  its 
thankfulness  by  electing  him  a  member  of  the  Executive 
Committee,  while  the  other  two  members  earned  their 
places  by  reading-  papers. 

If  the  Secretary  will  confine  the  Proceedings  to  the  act- 
ual occurences  at  Toledo,  we  are  of  the  opinion  that  his 
fond  hope  of  having  them  out  by  Christmas  ought  to  be 
realizable.  But  if  he  waits  for  absent  members  to  write 
some  papers  with  which  to  eek  out  a  report,  he  will  per- 
haps be  delayed  till  next  spring  or  summer. 


NEW  PUBLICATIONS. 


EJementary  Zoology  and  Laboratory  Guide. — By  H. 
E.  Chapin  and  L.  J.  Rettger.,  Chicago,  1897,  212  pp.,  145 
figs.  8  vo. 

In  the  preface,  our  authors  significantly  remark :  **  A 
teacher  who  expects  to  do  no  more  than  read  the  following 
pages  is  begged  to  close  the  book  at  once  and  turn  his  at- 
tention to  more  profitable  things.  "A  teacher  who  would 
merely  assign  three  pages  in  advance  each  day  had  better 
exchange  the  book  for  an  almanac  or  a  treatise  on 
Chinese." 

This  book  then  is  not  to  be  memorized  and  recited.  You 
are  to  go  into  the  laboratory  and  museum  and  study  ob- 
jects of  Natural  History.  Perchance  this  book  will  help 
you — that  all  depends  on  you.  The  book  is  all  right  :  are 
you  ? 

Chapters  are  devoted  to  Protozoa,  Porifera,  Coelenterata, 
Echinodermata,  Vermes,  Molluscoidea,  Mollusca,  Arthro- 
poda,  Vertebrata,  and  Laboratory  methods.  Embryol- 
ogy and  minute  structure  are  not  much  touched  upon,  the 
scope  of  the  book  being  microscopic  largely.  We  heartily 
commend  it  to  the  notice  of  all  teachers. 

A  few  pages  on  the  microscope  contain  the  rudiments  of 
knowledge  needed  by  the  beginner.  Hardening  and 
mounting  media  are  described  briefly,  so  is  embedding, 
section  cutting,  etc, 


Digitized  by 


Google 


A  NEW  EDITION  OF 

IrtZ.  iAiKTSON  St  SONS* 

Illustrated  Catalogue  of  Microscopes,  Objectives 
and  Accessories. 

In  it  will  he  fonad  folly  described  all  the  latest  improvemente  and  desii^os 
of  the  Wateou  (nstroments,  also  nmny  new  kinds  ofaocesaories  incladingthe 
following : 

A  SERIES  OF  NEW  PARACHROMATIC 

MICROSCOPIC    OBJECTIVES, 

lliene  Tienses  will  be  fonnd  to  possess  lai^e  apertures,  to  be  of  ani£>rni  qual- 
ity, and  to  l)e  as  low  in  price  as  any  Objectives  in  the  market  Tbey  rnn 
constructed  almost  entirely  of  Jena  Glass. 

The  following  are  selecjted  from  the  Series 


rowEU. 

N.  A. 

PRICE. 

POWER. 

N.  A. 

PRICE 

1-2  inch 

0.34 

JCl.2.6 

2-3  in. 

0.28 

£1.6.0 

1-4  inch 

0.68 

1.5.0 

1-6  in. 

0.87 

1.10.0 

1-8  inch 

0.88 

2.0.0 

1-9  in. 

0.90 

.6.0 

Homo-reneons 

Immersion. 

1-8  inch 

1-20 

4.15.0 

1-12  in. 

1.25 

5.0.0 

W.  WATSON  &  SONS' 

New  ••PARACHROMATIC"  Substage  Condenser. 

This  oondensor  has  a  total  aperture  of  1.0  N.  A.,  has  an  extremely  \mrgfi 
Aplanatic  Apertnre,  exceeding  .90  N.  A.  It«  power  is  2-7  inch,  and  with 
the  front  lens  removed,  4.10  inch.  It  is  mounted  with  Iris  Diaphragm  and 
revolving  carrier  for  stops  for  dark  ground  and  obliqne  illuminatioD.  The 
IrisDiaphnigin  is  divided  so  as  to  indicate  the  N.  A.  at  rhich  the  condenser 
is  employed.    The  diameter  of  the  back  lens  is  5-8  inch. 

PRICE  COMPLETE   £3.15. 

APLANTIC  MAGNIFIERS- 

In  addition  to  W.  Watson  &  Sons'  well-known  regular  series  they  are 
working  Mr.  E.  M.  Nelson's  new  form,  magnifying  15  diameters,  which  gives 
g^reat  working  distance  and  large  aperture.  It  is  believed  to  be  oneqaalled 
by  any  similar  lens  for  qualities. 

PRICE — in  German  silver  mount,  pocket  form  15.6. 
For  dissecting,  in  wooden  box  14.6. 

The  above  catalogue  will  b«  mailed  post-free  on  applieatioii. 
MICROSCOPIC  OBJECTS. 

Watson  &  Sons  hold  a  stock  of  40,000  specimens  all  of  the  highest  class, 
forming  undoubtedly  the  finest  collection  in  the  world.  Foil  classified  list 
forward  post-free  on  application  to 

iA£.  iA£KTSON  St  SONS 

(ESTABLISHED  1837) 
OPTICIANS  TO  H.  M.  GOVERNMENT. 
313  High   Holborn,  London,  W.  C;  and  78  Swanston  Street,    Melbonrne, 

Australia. 
Awanled  38  Gold  and  other  medals  at  International|£zhibition8  indnding 
5  Highest  Awards  at  the  World's  Fair,  Chicago,  1893.    2  Gold  Medals,  Pivto 
Universal  Exhibition  1889  Sec.  Ac 
NOTE— The  postage  on  lett«n  to  England  is  6  cents,  or  postal  caids  2  mbIs 


Digitized  by 


Google 


WANT,  SALE  AND  EXCHANGE  NOTiCES. 


FOR  HALE.— First  class  Botanical  pioanta,  25  cents.    Send  for  list ; 
will  exchange.  I.  PERCY  BLACKMAN,  ftuidy  Hook,  Conn. 

FOR  SALE.— ToUes  1-10  objective,  1.42  N  A,  one  of  bis  latest  and  1 
Also  1-12  Powell  &  Inland  apochrotnatic  objective,  1.40  N.  A,  new. 

C.  E.  BLAKE  <&  CO.,  Adams  Express  Bldg.,  Chicago,  UL 

READ  the  nice  stories  in  Lippincott's  Monthly  Magazine.     Yoa  can  i 
50  cents,  (clnb  rate)  by  subscribing  for  l^ippinoott  through  ns. 

MICROSCOPICAL  PUB.  CO. 

FOR  SALE. — Nicely  monnted  slides  t>f  Rhinoceros  horn,  at  40  cents  each. 
H.  H.  DAVISON,  41  Sainner  St.,  Pantncket,  R.  L 

FOR  SALE— Pritchard's  Infusoria  (latest  edition,  colored  plates)  and 
Smith's  British  'Diatomaceae  (2  vols.,  uncut).  These  works  are  very  scarce 
and  can  only  be  got, as  in  this  case,  when  a  niicrotomist  finishes  using  them. 
Price  $60.  No  Sig. ,  Care  C.  W.  SMILEY. 

FOR  EXCHAN(JE. — The  Museum  ot  Hamline  University  desirea  to  ex- 
change Atlantic  .Shells,  preserved  specimens  of  Marine  Zoology  of  microsoopic 
slip  slides  for  zoological  specimens  especially  Rodents  in  the  flesh  from 
Southwestern  United  States.     Correspondence  solicited. 

HENRY  L.  OSBOIiN,  Hamline  Univ.,  8t.  Paul,  Minnesota. 

ARRANGED  DIATOMS.  I  furnish  the  most  artistitic  arrangements  of 
diatoms  in  slides  at  $5.00  each.  Your  name  can  be  made  fiom  different 
species.  Roosters,  hen  and  chickens, '  and  bouquets  of  flowers  in  bntteifly 
scales  and  diatoms  &om  $6.00.    Refer  to  the  Editor  of  Uiia  JonmaL 


^Micrcscepieal  Specialties. 

KING'S  CEMENTS  ^'^^^•^""^"^*L^°iheywm«..ui.tt. 

KING'S  GLYCERINE  JELLY  is  unsurpassed. 
THE  KING  MIOROTOMB  is  the  best  for  botanical  worlL. 

Send  for  fkiU  list  of  specialttM. 

J.   D.    KING,    Cottage    City,    Mass. 
INVERTEBRATE  DISSECTIONS. 

Second  Edition ;  Revised  and  QreaU^  EkUarged. 

DESIGNED  to  suit  the  requirements  of  bigh  schocA  or  oollege,  or  to  guide 
any  who  may  desire  to  pursue  an  elementary  oouxse  of  practioal  or  theoretical 
invertebrate  aoology.  It  contains  working  directions  lor  the  stndy  of  fifty 
types,  from  all  classes  and  orders  of  Invertebrates,  attention  being  chiefly 
called  to  common  and  easily  obtained  forms ;  notes  on  habits  and  modes  of 
capture,  and  items  to  observe  on  living  animals  ;  bibliographical  refeivDoe  to 
some  of  the  most  accessible  literature  of  each  gsonp  ;  and  a  synoptical  table 
of  the  entii«  animal  kingdom  sununarizing  all  the  phyla,  classes  and  orders, 
thus  making  the  book  a  compend  of  Elementary  Invertebrate  Zoology. 

8vo;  heavy  paper  covers;  64  pi^;es  ;  price  75  cents.  Spedal  rates  ibr  sdiooLs. 
Sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price.  Circulars  and  sample  pages  ftuniahed  on 
application  to  author. 

Hknry  L.  Osborn, 

Hamline  University  ^  St.  Paulf  Minn. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


W.  WATSON  &  SONS' 

!  GRAND  HODEL  YAN  HEURGK  HIGROSCOPE 

— -    -  _  _  ^ 

FOR  HIQH  POWER  WORK  AND  PHOTO  MICROGRAPHY. 

in 

ly 

of 
a- 
k- 


Il- 
ls 

of 


Digitized  by 


Google 


GAEL  REICHERT 
MICROSCOPES. 

SOLE  AGEMT8  FOR  OHITED  STATES. 

RICHARDS  &  CO.,  LTD., 

NEW  YORK,  CHIOAQO, 

41  Btrciar  street.      108  Lake  Street. 


Hcroscopic  Preparatioiis  Dlnstratii  tke  iBDte  Stmctiire 
of  Tegetatle  Life. 

Being  enclosed  in  a  novel  transparent  envelope,  these  objects  may 
be  examined  without  removal  before  mounting.  They  are  prepared 
with  the  utmost  care  by  WALTER  White,  England,  and  are  mostly 
stained  in  one  or  two  colors  of  the  most  permanent  character. 

A  friend  says:  The  sample  section  is  exquisite.  It  is  so  good 
that  I  want  more.  As  a  well -cut  and  well-stained  section  it  is 
equal  to  anything  I  have  seen  in  that  line. 

PRibEIS. 

Catalogue  of  172  objects,  -  -  -  $0.02 

Single  specimens,      -  -  -  -  -  .08 

20  specimens,  assorted,  -  -  -  i.oo 

CHAS.  W.  SmiliET,  WashinfiTton,  D.  O. 

SWEDEN BORG 

is  nut  only  a  thcoloi^ian  ;  he  is  a  scientist  and  a  scientific  writer, 
whose  keenly  philosophical  analysis  of  phenomena  is  helpful  to 

Address 

ADOLPH  ROEDER, 

Vineland,  N.  J. 


FOR  BALE.— .\  set  of  slides  ilinstrntiug  the  Woody  Plants  ofUHnoia, 
•5  Genera.  H.  F.  MUNROE,  821  Jai^kson  Boulevaid,  Chicago,  Ul. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Send  for  Art  Catalogue. 

jii  Light?      19  to  21  lbs. 

[J  Strong?     Guaranteed. 

Ij  For  whom?     300  pound  riders 

u  . 

D 
C 
C 


In 


KEATING  BICYCLES. 


J^      Frame  sway?     No.     Why?     See  that  curve. 

[fl  Speedy?     Yes. 

1}  Why?     Long  chain.  p 

l£SBH5ESH5E555S53SrB5a5H5B52S25ESiSS25HS55a5HHSS£l 

^6c;  days  ahead  of  them  all. 


Keating  Wheel  Co.,  Holyoke,  Mass. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE  FISK 

TRAOHRRS'  AGRNOIRS, 
EVERETT  O.  FISK  &  CO..  Proprietors. 

President. 

Stkkbr  O.  Fi«k,  ...  4  Aahborton  Plmoe,  Botton,  Mmi.  • 

Manasrers. 

W.  B.  HnuoK,  4  AahbnrtoB  PlAoe,  Boston,  W.  D.  Kub,  70  Fifth  Atodm.  Mow  Tork, 

Mom.  N.T                                                               ^ 

Mn.  8.  D.  TmntMOMD,  1248   Twolfth  St^  F.Y.Humooif,  70  Fifth  ATonno,  Now  York, 

Woohlncton.D.O.  V.T. 

A.  O.  FUHBB,  4  Aihbarton  Ploce,  Bootott,  W.  0.  Fbatt,  70  Fifth  AToirao,  New  Toifc, 
Moat.  K.  T. 

MAbtha  Hoio,  4  Ashborton  Ploco,  Booton,  L.  &.,Hai4bt,355  Wobooh  Atoboo,  Chicam. 

Mom.  Ill,                                                           ^ 

Hblbi  O.  K40B»,  4  Aohborton  Place,  Boo-  J.  D.  Enolb,  Oontory  ButldiBg,  M Innoopo- 

toD,  Moot.  oils,  Mtna.                                            ^^ 

W.   0,    McTao«abt,    26   King  Si,   Woot  Mbi.  K.  DoWLmo   Enolb,  Oontnry  Bldg., 

T(nt>Dto^  (Vp^iIo  '  Iffanoopollo,  M Inn. 

B.  B.  Obockbb,70  nfth  ATonne,  New  Tork,  0. 0.  Botntom,  190U  So.  Spiiag  St.,  Loo. 
N.T.           X  Angoleo,Ool. 

Sondt^uiyoftheoboTOBirenoloo  for  lOO-poge  Afoncy  MoniuL    OorroopoDdoBoo  with   ob- 
ployera  |i  ioTitod.    BoftotratioB  forms  ooQi  to  tooohers  on  oppliootion. 


ZEISS  MICROSCOPES. 

Tbe  Carl  Zeiss  Optical  WorJLS  in  Jena 

Are  recognized  in  Europe  as  the  leading  manufiacturers  of  Stands  and 
Objectives.  They  have  issued  a  new  Catalogue  for  1895^  containing  a 
description  of^nuSbeTo^ewacceSone^n^ipparanis  which  I  am 
enabled  to  import  at  lowest  rates.  Orders  for  colleges  and  institntio|pi 
filled  prompty,  duty  free.  New  Catalogues  forwarded  on  application, 
against  20  cents  in  postage  stamps.  ' 

F.  J.  EMIITEBICH,  Sr.,  Asrent, 

74  Murray  St.,   New  York,  N.  Y. 


OPTICIAN. 
209  South  Uth  Street,   Philadelphia. 


HISTOLOGICAL   MICROSCOPES  $65. 


STUDENTS'  MICROSCOPES,  138  to  $46,  Complete. 

MICROMETER  RULINGS,   A  SPECIALTY. 


nXUATBATBD  CATALOOUB  ON  APPLICATION. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


■  Th©  • 
Qeologioal  Mii^iizm© 

OR  •       . 

IlTonttjIy  3ournaI.of  (geology: 

WITH  WHICH  IS  INCORPORATKD  ^ 

"THE    GEOLOGIST/' 

BDIXSD  BY 

HENRY  WOODWARD,  LL.D.,  P.  R.  S.,  PrbsG.  S.,  P.  Z.  &,  P.  R.  M.  S. 

Ol?  THB  BRITISH  MUSEUM  OP  NATURAI<  HISTORY  ; 
ASSISTED  BY 

ROBERT  ETHERIDGE,  F.  R.  S.  L.  &  E.,  P.  G.  S.,  P.  C.  S  ,  &c. 

WIlrPRIDH.  HUDLESTON,  M.  A.,  P.  R.  S.,  P.  G.  S  ,  P.  L.  S.,  P.  C.  vS 

GEORGE  J.  HINDRE,  Ph.D.,  V.  P.  G.  S.,  &c 

AND 

HORACE  BOLINGBOKE  WOODWARD,  P.  G.  S. 


The  ITEW  SERIES.    Decade  IV.    Vol.  Il.lfo.  1—4. 
Jan.-    April,  1896,  NOW  READY. 

PUBLISHED   BT 

MESSRS.    DULAU    &   CO., 

37  SOHOSaUABE,  LONDON,  W. 

It  ia  earoestly  leqaeeted  that  Sabwriptions  nwy  b.  wnt  to  Dulau  and 
Co.  ht  advance.  Safaecriben  of  18..  for  the  year  will  reoaiT.  the  Maoazink, 
Post-free,  direct  on  the  Istof  each  Month.    Single  copies  1j.  M.  each. 


All  GommnnicatioDS  for  this  Magazine  should  be 
addressed  to  the  Editor  of  the  (Geological  Magazine, 

129  BEAUFORT  STREET,  CHELSEA, 

LONDON,  S.  W. 

Books  and  Specimens  may  in  future  be  addressed  to  the  Editor,  care  of 

MESSBS.  DUIiAU  &  00.,  37  Soho  Square,  X^mclon,  W. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Special 
Announcement 


©" 


-  IN  - 


MICROSCOPY. 


^UBINO  the  iMt  few  months 
I  bftTe  been  boqr  pr»|»riBf 
niMiy  imr«  and  noTel  ot^Mte 
for  Mieroseoplcftl  purposM,  »Bd 
bare  arrnif^  ^•m  m  imdor  la 
IU««tr«ied  SeriAA. 

Th«  fini  of  thcM  liHhe  Ml. 
crosoopical  Studies  la  Ha- 
line  Zoelogy. 

The  Mcoud  SerlM  (tIk.:  that 
for  1806)  oonaUts  of  14  iplendU 
praparatJeiM,  all  of  the  bighcat 
poaMbto  e^eellenceaod  ([(uaraolaed 
pennauent  The  14  slides  appear 
io  quarterly  imtallments,  and  are 
aooompanied  b/  OTor  100  F^^S^* 
of   desciiptrre  letlerpreaa. 


dealiaff  in  pl< 
net  with   " 


from  life*  Bake  plain  all  details. 
ladoalwe  SubaerlptloB,  •6.95,  poet-ftree. 

-     '    -     ■  ^eSUdes 


t  bnt  exact  man- 
the  anatomy,  life-history 
and  habits  o(  the  respective  sub- 
jects, while  19  foll.p»^  plAf 
of  photo-eni^raTliiss,  oimi 


Foil  prospectus  on  applicatioa. 
included  in  this  Serisa: 


6.  LoTely  Kxpanded  Zoophyte  StrhtloHa 

7.  Opossom-ehrimp  MptU^  sllowlng  andl- 


60c 


The  followlnf  are  among  the 
1.  Ookmy  0f  the  loTely  BadioUrian  Bphmro- 

mmm^  showing  parasitio  algSB. 
1  The  loTely  Zoophyte  ObsNo,  polyps  folly 

expanded* 

5.  Stalled  stage   of   the  larra    of   Bosy 

Feather  Star  (mUedom) 
4.  An  entire  Sea- Butterfly  (Pisfwped). 

6.  LoTely  expanded  Zoophyte  Ajyasofyas. 

The  prices  against  each  are  thasa  at  whieh  the  preparations  are  sold  separately,  show- 
ing what  a  cheap  lot  I  offer  In  series  at  $6.26,  post  (in:  A  few  sets  of  Series  1  still  aTailable, 
t«.25,  post  free.    Sample  Blld^  60c..  post  free. 

f»rt>f.  J.  B.  Ainsworth  DaWs,  University  College,  Aberystwith,  writes:  ** Allow  me  to 
congratnlata  yon  on  the  very  oseful  work  yoa  are  doing  by  the  publication  of  loumal,  with 
aoooapanying  slides,  which  are  most  ADMinaBLB. 


tory  organ  in  tail 
The  splendid  rare  orgaiHiipe  Polyioon, 

I^henopara  40c 

Sntfrelarral  Plaice,  eye  Just  turning 

fh>m  blind  side  and  6  other  equally 

flnesUdes.  60c 


Botany.  | 


Superb  microscopical  preparations  of  Bra^lao  I^lanaa. — I  have 

'   en  unfortunate  in  obtaining  a  onaatlty  of  theae  mperb  stesM    the 

ist  loTely  in  the  whole  plant  kingdoia— sHid  iia«e  arranged  them 


two  sets  of  6  each,  at  the  price  of  $1.36  per  s^t,  or  $2  25  for  the 

o.    Tfa«  most  exquisitely  oharmlng  sDdes  that  ctmld  poesibly  be 

imagined  for  Axhibitiun  at  popular  gaUieriogs.  'As  the  quantity  is 


Tery  limited.  I  am  unaMa  to  sell  single  slides. 
J      M leroaeoploal  Stadlea  tn  Botany  .—In  Answer  to  many  requests,  I  hare  ar- 
ranged 20  magnifloent  preparations  in  a  series  on  similar  liaas  to  that  to  aarixie  xoology  de- 
scribed tkboV^. 

The  first  series  is  ntrw  begun  and  o»mprMes  20  highest-class  slides  (snch  as  sell  singly 
at 25o  to .lAc  each),  illustrated  by  desoriptive letterprev.aod  90 specially  beautiful  photomicro- 
graphs of  the  seouons. 

Sobecripttons,  $6.25  only,  for  all,  a  sum  which  would  be  cheap  for  the  series  of  illos- 
tratioDS  alone. 

Pntf.  J.  W.  Oarr,  tJnlTeralty  College,  Nottingham,  writes :  *'Yoor  Botaolcal  Slides 
are  ike  most  beaotifOl  I  hate  ever  seen.  The  following  are  among  the  slides  already  issued  ia 
AboT.e  linu'S :      .  « 


I.  Tr.  sec.  flower-bud  of  LUy  26c 

•i.    «•    ••  do       of  Dandelion  30c 

3.  fjongl  sec    do       of       do  25c 

4.  do           fruit    of  Fig  30c 
I  guarantee  the  perfeetton  of  all  my 


6.  Tr.  sec  firuit  of  Date  (splendid)  S6c 
6     **    **    noyrw  of  EtckackottaiA  80e 

7.  Long*!,  sec.  double  flower  of  Peony  26c 

8.  Leaf-fall  of  Sycamore  25c 


Sounta  aod  will  be  pldaaed  tp  send 
etits. 

A    great  range  of  Misce'Uaneouft  Zoological   and  Botanical  slides  in   stock 
at  prices  from  li-a©  per  dozen. 

Cost  of  M»IUiif(.    I  slide.   lo  cents  ;  2  slides,  15  cents  ;   3  slides,   20  cents  and 
90  on     I«arfl:e  parcels  by  express  at  very  cheap  rates. 

tlpP^fatlTty.   Marine  Zoology  (especially  ib  eocpanded   25oopHytes  and    larval 
stages,  and  plant  and  flower  anatomy. 

Terms.   RcmitUuice  by  P.  O.  O.,  drafl  on  London,  or  U.  8.  paper  currency,  the 

Ibrmer  preferred.    If  wiihed,  Mr.  0.  W,  Smiley,  Washington,  D.    '.    will  hold  the 

'  amotint  till  order  is  Mitlsfactorily  executed.    Mr.  Smiley  has  kindly  promised  to 

▼ouch  for  the  excellency  of  the  slides  and  will  give  references  to  U.  S.  Microscop- 

ists  who  have  been  well  satisfied  with  my  preparations. 

JAMES  HORNELL, 

•  *BI«l0cie*l  Stadoh,  Jwny,  Ingland.  SpedaUst  in  Mlorosoopkal  Mooatlac. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


v^ 


i 


Vi>>o6 


f't^ 


THE  AMERICAN 


MONTHLY 


w 


°o. 


tpoo 


MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL 


CONTAINING 


Contributions  to  Biology. 


1 


^ 


II 


3>'\ 


Chas.  W.  Smiley,  Publisher, 
Washington,  D.  C. 


Terms:  For  the  U.S.,  $2.00. 
For  Great  Britain,  8s. 


mMf  mim>M  i^*^  ®^  L 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1 

( 


H 

W 


H 


Digitized  by 


Google 


'OOl 


THE    AMERICAN 

MONTHLY 

MICROSCOPICAL    JOURNAL, 


Vol.  XVIII.         DECEMBER,  1897.  No.  12, 

Parasitic  Leaf-Fungi. 

By  Rev.  ALEX.  8.  WILSON. 

About  the  time  when  the  blackberries  are  ripe,  after  a 
short  search  one  can  generally  find  a  bosh  the  leaves  of 
which  have  a  paler  appearance  than  ordinary ;  closer 
inspection  shows  the  under  surfaces  of  the  leaves  flecked 
here  and  there  as  if  with  specks  of  soot.  With  the  aid 
of  a  pocket  lens  each  speck  is  seen  to  consist  of  tufts  of 
little  club-shaped  bodies,  and  if  we  scrape  some  off,  mount 
them  on  a  slide,  and  place  it  under  the  microscope,  we  see 
that  they  are  cylindrical  cells,  each  made  up  of  from 
three  to  eight  joints,  and  supported  by  a  short  stalk. 
Their  form  is  so  characteristic  that,  once  seen,  there  is 
no  diflBculty  in  recognizing  it  again.  These  are  the  telu- 
tospores  of  the  bramble  brand  (Phragmidium  violaceum), 
a  parasitic  fungus  belonging  to  the  order  ^cidiomycetes 
(or  Uredines),  all  of  which  inhabit  living  plants. 

The  leaves  of  various  species  of  mint  are  in  autumn 
often  dotted  over  in  like  manner  with  dark-colored  spots, 
due  in  this  case  to  the  telutooporet*  of  Puccinia  menthae, 
each  composed  of  two  joints  of  hemispherical  form.  By 
this  two-celled  character  the  Puccinia  genus  is  distin- 
guished from  Phragmidiura,  which  has  telutospores 
usually  consisting  of  more  than  three  joints.  On  the 
meadow-sweet  a  brand,  Triphragmidium  ulmarisB,  occurs, 
having    three-celled    telutospores ;  those   of  the   brands 


Digitized  by 


Google 


366  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Dec 

which  affect  the  bean,  pea,  clover,  and  lady's-mantle,  spe- 
cies of  Urorayces,  are  uni-cellular.  Gymnosporangium 
(Rostelia)  growing  on  junipers  has  them  two-celled, 
closely  packed,  and  embedded  in  gelatinous  substance : 
they  are  prismatic,  and  form  a  compact  layer  in  Melam- 
spora  infesting  the  leaves  of  the  willow  and  sunspurge ; 
and  the  species  of  Colesporium  living  on  the  colt's-foot 
and  eye-bright  have  four-celled  telutospores  united  to 
form  a  compact,  waxy  stratum,  surrounded  by  a  gelatin- 
ous mass.  The  characters  presented  by  their  telutospores 
thus  form  the  basis  of  the  classification  usually  followed 
in  this  group  of  fungi,  the  spores  of  which,  indeed,  con- 
stitute the  principal  feature. 

Telutospores  are  resting  or  winter  spores  ;  only  in  a 
few  cases  are  they  capable  of  immediate  germination. 
The  name  derived  from  tejos,  **end,"  indicates  that  their 
production  is  regarded  as  completing  the  life  cycle  of  the 
fungus.  Unlike  other  spore«,  which  on  germination  give 
rise  to  a  branching  mass  of  thread-like  cells  known  as 
a  mycelium,  which  is  really  the  vegetative  body  of  the 
fungus,  a  telutospore  only  developes  a  short  filament  or 
promycelium,  on  which  arises  small  reproductive  cells, 
the  sporidia;  the  latter  are  able  at  once  to  germinate  and 
form  mycelia. 

Minute  yellow  streaks  may  be  observed  during  the 
latter  half  of  the  year  on  the  leaves  of  all  our  common 
grasses,  especially  on  the  lower  leaves,  by  anyone  who 
will  take  the  trouble  to  look  for  them.  On  examining 
these  with  the  pocket  lens  they  are  found  to  be  chinks  in 
the  epidermis  of  the  leaf  filled  with  orange-coloured  dust. 
Under  a  microscope  of  low  power,  with  direct  light,  a 
small  piece  of  grass-blade  so  affected  presents  a  charm- 
ing appearance.  The  dust  is  seen  to  be  composed  of 
orange  red  globules,  having  a  waxy  lustre  or  bloom,  re- 
minding one  of  artificial  fruits,  and  forming  a  splendid 
contrast  to  the  bright  green  chlorophyll  grains  of   the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


18971  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  367 

leaf.  With  careful  focassing  under  a  higher  power,  mi- 
nute projections  studding  the  surface  of  the  ypores  be- 
come visible,  giving  them  a  bristly  appearance.  These 
«re  the  summer  or  uredospores  of  a  parasitic  fungus  now 
designated  Puccinia  rubigo  vera,  one  of  the  corn-rusts 
which  occasionally  inflict  so  much  damage  on  cere«l 
crops.  Pucci/iia graminis  injures  the  wheat;  allied  spec- 
ies occasion  the  orange  and  scarlet  patches  of  rust  seen 
on  the  rose,  barren  strawberry,  eye-bright,  cow-wheat, 
sow-thistle,  groundsel,  thistle,  harebell,  nightshade, 
dog's  mercury,  and  many  other  native  plants.  The  name 
uredospore  {uro,  "I  burn")  has  reference  to  the  conspicu 
oils  disfigurment  and  often  burnt  appearance  of  leaves 
attacked  by  these  fungi.  Unlike  telutospores,  the  ure- 
dospore germinates  at  once  if  placed  on  a  suitable  host, 
and  gives  rise  to  a  filament  whioh  penetrates  the  epider- 
mis and  developes  into  a  mycelium,  extending  through 
(he  intercellular  passages  of  the  leaf.  Uredospores  com- 
monly appear  somewhat  earlier  in  the  season  than  telut- 
ospores, though  the  two  often  grow  together. 

On  gooseberries  our  readers  may  sometimes  have  re- 
marked a  bright  yellow  spot  about  the  size  of  a  sixpence. 
Similar  spots  occur  on  the  leaves  of  gooseberry  and  cur- 
rant bushes.  The  lens  shows  that  they  consist  of  a  num- 
ber of  small  round  openings  full  of  orange  powder;  these 
.•ire  the  cluster-cups  and  »cidiospores  of  Aicidium  grossu- 
laria.  An  exceedingly  common  species,  Al,  compositarum, 
is  found  on  the  lower  surface  of  the  colt's  foot  leaf,  a 
plant  abundant  on  every  railway  embankment.  Plants 
may  possess  more  than  one  species  of  parasite;  on  the 
colt's-foot  there  also  occurs  a  species  of  Colesporium, 
and  nearly  a  score  of  different  fungi  are  stated  to  take 
up  their  quarters  on  the  leaves  of  the  nettle.  Bach  spec- 
ies of  ©cidium  confines  itself,  as  a  rule,  however,  to 
plants  of  a  particular  family,  or  even  selects  its  hosts 
from  a  single  species;  thus  the  SBcidia  of    the    berberry, 


Digitized  by 


Google 


388  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Dec 

hawthorn,  honeysuckle,  Scotch  fir,  mountain  ash,  ane- 
mone, buttercup,  nettle,  primrose,  violet,  willow-herb, 
bedstraw,  dock,  and  many  other  plants  are  all  diflFerent 
and  belong  to  distinct  species.  Seen  with  the  lens  the 
cluster-cups  present  the  appearance  of  a  group  of  mina- 
ture  volcanoes.  At  first  the  SBcidium  fruit  is  a  small 
spherical  body  formed  beneath  the  epidermis  of  the  leaf 
whereon  it  grows,  which  it  ultimately  ruptures;  the  aecid- 
ium  itself,  when  ripe,  bursts,  and  the  yellow  spores  are 
discharged.  The  section  of  an  »cidium  shows  a  cup-like 
cavity  with  spores  arranged  in  vertical  rows  like 
short  strings  of  beads;  they  are  developed  by  budding,  and 
become  detached  in  succession.  Externally  the  aecidium 
is  in  most  species  invested  by  a  membranous  envelope, 
the  peridium,  usually  cup-shaped,  but  occasionally,  as  in 
the  cluster-cups  of  the  pine,  prolonged  into  a  tube.  The 
peridium  may  open  irregularly  or  split  up  in  a  definite 
manner,  giving  its  margin  a  toothed  appearance.  An 
aecidiospore  can  germinate  when  sown  on  a  suitable 
host.  The  cluster-cups  appear  earlier  in  the  season  than 
the  uredo-  or  telutospores,  and  are  very  often  associated 
with  smaller  caps  called  spermogonia,  which  appear  on 
the  upper  surface  of  the  leaf  (tig.  6,  a  spm.),  from  which 
issue  minute  spermatid,  which  have  never  been  known  to 
germinate,  and  are  therefore  generally  regarded  as  male 
reproductive  cells. 

All  the  three  kinds  of  spores  above  described,  it  must 
now  be  explained,  are  produced  in  succession  by  some  of 
the  Urediues  on  the  same  mycelium.  The  Puccinias  of 
the  mint,  primrose,  violet,  goat's-beard,  and  onion  de- 
velop all  three  forms  ;  teluto-  uredo-  and  aecidiospores 
occur  on  the  same  plant.  Had  we  examined  the  bramble 
Phragmidium  earlier  in  the  season  we  should  have  found, 
not  the  many-celled  telutospores,  but  unicellular  uredo- 
or  aecidiospores.  The  rose  rust,  Ph,  subcorticum^  and 
that  of  the    barren    strawberry,    Plu  fragariae^   in    like 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897] 


MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL. 


369 


manner  bear  three  kinds  of  spore  on  the  same  host.  The 
rusts  of  the  knot-grass,  beet,  geranium,  and  valerian, 
caused  by  species  of  Uromyces,  also  possess  spores  of 
three  kinds.  Others,  like  U,  alchemillce  and  U.  rumicisy 
have  teluto  and  uredo  but  no  aecidiospores.  Only  telut- 
ospores  {»re  known  to  be  produced  by  the  Puccinias  para- 
sitic on  the  gout-weed,  speedwell,  mallow,  harebell,  and 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  FIGURES. 
1.  Telatospores:  a,  Phragmidiniu  violaceum;  b,  Paccinia  menthse;  P. 
violarum  ;  d,  P.  gramiuis.  2.  Germinating  telutospores  with  promycelia 
and  sporidia  :  a,  Phraginidium  ;  b,  Tripbragmidiam.  3.  Uredosporee  :  a, 
grass  blade  with  rust;  b,  spores  of  bramble  rast;  c,  spores  of  barren  straw- 
berry; d,  e,  spores  of  corn  rust;  f,  of  rose  rust;  g,  of  thistle  rost.  4.^cidia: 
a»  leaf  of  berberry  with  cluster  cups;  b,  side  view  of  a^cidia;  c»  leaf  of  san- 
spurge  spotted  with  Melamspora;  d,  clustercups  of  bedstraw.  5.  Spermo- 
gonia  on  upper  surface  of  leaf. 

saxafrage.  Uredospores  are  wanting  in  the  Puccinias 
of  the  ragwort  and  earth-nut;  telutospores  are  absent  in 
the  rusts  of  the  figwort  and  fern,  while  neither  the  uredo 
nor  telutospores  are  known  which  correspond  with  the 
aecidia  of  honeysuckle,  meadow-rue,  and  gooseberry. 
The  three  kinds  of  spore  are  not  formed  simultaneously; 
further  observations  may  therefore  be  expected  to  reduce 
the  number  of  these  exceptions.       Before  it   was    known 


Digitized  by 


Google 


370  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Dec 

that  a  cluster-cup,  a  rust,  and  a  brand  might  be  merely 
succesbive  stages  of  the  same  fungus,  specific  names  had 
been  assigned  to  each  of  the  forms,  with  the  result  that 
some  of  these  parasites  have  three  names;  and  this  in- 
convenience is  still  unavoidable  in  cases  where  the  con- 
nection between  the  different  stages  hi4S  not  jet  been 
demonstrated. 

But  what  invests  thin  group  of  fungi  with  peculiar  in- 
terest is  the  fact  that  many  of  them  spend  their  first  or 
aecidium-bearing  stage  on  a  different  species  of  host- 
plant  from  that  which  they  inhabit  at  a  later  period  of 
their  life  history,  when  they  develop  uredo-  and  teluto- 
spores.  Thus  there  are  several  kinds  which  produce 
aecidia  on  the  leaves  of  firs  and  pines,  and  then  migrate 
to  plants  of  the  Heath  order.  To  this  changing  of  hosts 
the  name  Hetercecism  {heter,  "other" ;  oikos,  ''house") 
has  been  given.  Analogous  phenomena  are  observed 
among  animal  parasites.  The  same  organism  which  oc- 
casions ''measles"  in  pork,  causes  the  tapeworm  in  man 
while  in  the  cat  it  is  but  a  more  advanced  form  of  one 
that  inhabits  the  intestines  of  the  mouse;  and  the  liver 
fluke  of  the  sheep  passes  one  part  of  the  cycle  of  its  de- 
velopment in  the  body  of  a  pond  snail.  Farmers  long 
suspected  that  the  presence  of  berberry  bushes  in  their 
hedges  had  something  to  do  with  the  rust  that  destroyed 
their  wheat.  This  idea  was  verified  by  the  discovery 
that  Ptucinia  graminis  is  merely  a  later  stage  in  the  de- 
velopment of  ^cidium  berberidis  which  infests  the  ber- 
berry. As  the  aliernation  of  generations  was  first  traced 
in  this  species,  it  is  the  example  of  hetercecism  usually 
given  in  textbooks,  but  a  similar  connection  has  been 
made  out  in  many  other  instances.  The  cluster-cups  of 
the  Scotch  fir  belong  to  the  same  Uredine  which  bears 
telato  and  uredospores  on  the  groundsel;  those  of  the 
colt's-foot  correspond  to  telutospores  on  the  meadow  grass 
of  Puccinia  poarum  :  Alcidium  urticce  of  the  nettle  devel- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  371 

opes  aredospores  on  species  of  Carex;  the  aecidium  fruits 
of  Gymnosporangium  caneellata  occur  only  on  the  leaves  of 
the  mountain  ash  and  other  Pomaceae,  the  telutospores 
only  upon  those  of  species  of  juniper.  The  aecidium  of 
the  buckthorn  is  related  in  the  same  way  to  Puccinia  cor- 
onatUy  not  uncommon  on  grasses.  Again,  the  aecidia  of 
the  orchid,  onion,  dock;  and  dandelion  appear  in  their 
uredo  forms  on  various  grasses  and  sedges,  while  the 
parasites  of  certain  Composites  seem  to  migrate  to  other 
plants  of  the  same  order.  The  corn  rust,  P.  rubigo  vera^ 
turns  out  to  be  the  second  stage  of  an  aecidium  that  grows 
on  the  leaves  of  Anchusa  and  other  plants  of  the  borage 
family. 

From  these  examples  it  will  be  seen  that  in  fungi  of 
this  description  each  generation  of  each  species  has  its 
own  form  of  fructification  and  its  own  peculiar  host- 
plant.  The  brands  of  the  mint  and  bramble  are  not  het- 
eroecious,  but  produce  all  three  sorts  of  spore  on  the  same 
host,  or  even  on  the  same  mycelium;  the  Uredines  of  the 
honey-suckle,  meadow-rue,  and  gooseberry,  of  which  only 
the  aecidium  forms  are  known,  are  likewise  restricted  to 
one  species  of  host.  In  this  country  Ai.  grossularia  only 
produces  aecidiospores;  telutospores  are  stated  to  have 
been  observed  on  the  gooseberry  itself  on  the  Continent, 
Should  this  be  confirmed,  it  would  appear  that  the  fun- 
gus in  question  is  confined  during  its  whole  existence  to 
to  the  same  plant,  and  does  not,  therefore,  possess  the 
heteroecismal  character. 

In  the  life  history  of  one  of  these  migratory  fungi  we 
have  then  the  following  phases: — The  earliest  form  in- 
habits the  leaves  of  a  plant  such  as  the  berberry,  where 
it  exhausts  its  eneriges  and  completes  its  career  by  the 
production  and  discharge  of  the  aecidiospores ;  the  latter 
are  incapable  of  germinating  on  the  berberry,  but  on 
being  transferred  to  wheat,  at  once  germinate  and  form  a 
mycelium    which  develops  the    uredo  and  telutospores. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


372  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Dec 

The  uredospores  continue  to  propagate  the  aredo  form  of 
the  fungus  indefinitely  upon  the  wheat,  hut  the  teluto- 
sporet*  or  sporidia  arising  from  them  will  only  grow  my- 
celia  if  sown  on  the  leaves  of  the  berberry. 

In  not  a  few  instances  these  relationships  have  been 
established  by  direct  experiment.  Dr.  C.  B.  Plowrigbt 
succeeded  in  producing  aecidia  on  the  hawthorn  and 
mountain  ash  by  infecting  their  leaves  with  telutospores 
taken  from  the  juniper,  and  on  the  nettle  with  teluto- 
spores  from  a  species  of  Carex.  Conversely,  with  aecid- 
iospores  from  the  nettle  he  obtained  the  uredospores  of 
Puccinia  caricis  on  Carex,  and  spores  from  the  colt's-foot 
cluster-cup  placed  on  the  meadow  grass  developed  the 
uredo  form  of  P.  porarum.  The  aecidium  of  the  berberry 
gave  rise  to  P.graminis  on  grass,  and  berberry  leaves  in- 
fected with  telutospores  from  the  latter  developed 
aecidia  of  the  usual  form.  Check  plants  which  in  these 
experiments  were  not  inoculated  yielded  negative  results; 
the  possibility  of  error  was  thus  eliminated.  It  may 
therefore  be  taken  as  conclusively  proved  that  many  of 
these  leaf  fungi  exist  in  alternate  generations  as  para- 
sites on  distinct  plants,  with  forms  so  unlike  that  the  suc- 
cessive phases  in  the  life  cycle  of  one  and  the  same  fun- 
gus were  long  regarded  as  different  species  and  classi- 
fied in  separate  families.  The  brilliant  orange  and  Mcar- 
let  tints  exhibited  by  so  many  Uredines  are  due  to  the 
presence  in  their  cells  of  drops  of  highly-coloured  oil. 
Tliey  differ  from  the  Peronospore»in  their  septate  mycel- 
ium, and  are  less  destructive,  as  the  mycelium  does  not 
extend  through  the  entire  body  of  the  host,  but  the  dam- 
age is  usually  restricted  to  the  small  affected  areas  of  the 
leaf.  Sexual  reproduction  has  not  been  observed  in  the 
Uredines;  there  are,  however,  grounds  for  the  belief 
that  a  process  of  fertilization  really  takes  place,  but  the 
consideration  of  this  question  must  be  reserved  for  an- 
other occasion. — Krimvledge. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSOOPIOAL  JOURNAL  373 

The  DeDDis  Fluorometer. 

WITH  PRONTISi-lECE. 

It  is  the  function  of  this  instrument  to  establish,  with 
precision,  the  location  of  any  foreign  object  within  the 
human  organism  which  is  impermeable  or  comparatively 
impermeable  to  the  X-rays.  In  other  words  it  is  the 
province  of  the  fluorometer  to  enable  observers  to  form 
an  exact  and  certain  diagnosis  in  oases  of  presence  of 
coins,  bullets,  needles,  calculi  or  any  other  substance 
which  is  compart  vely  more  dense  in  its  fluoroscopic 
shadow  than  the  subject  in  which  it  is  contained.  It  is 
also  its  function,  by  eliminating  the  distortion  of  posi- 
tion, and  the  distortion  caused  by  the  divergence  of  the 
rays,  to  provide  the  surgeon  with  absolute  and  reliable 
measurements  in  cases  of  dislocations,  fractures  or  any 
abnormal  conditions  of  the  anatomy  which  are  suscepti- 
ble of  reproduction  in  the  Roentgen  shadow.  To  obtain 
a  correct  shadow  with  a  view  to  locating  an  object  after 
the  parallelism  of  the  rays  is  accomplished,  it  is  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  have  a  base  for  measurement. 

To  accomplish  its  results,  it  provides  :  A  shadow  of 
the  body  or  limb,  is  thrown  on  the  field  of  the  fluoros- 
cope  or,  on  the  sensitive  plate,  at  the  same  tim»^  giving 
data  which  will  not  only  enable  us  to  make  measurements 
but  to  reproduce  the  exact  position  of  the  body  or  limb. 
It  eliminates  the  distortion  resulting  from  the  radiation 
of  the  force  or  energy  known  as  the  X  ray.  The  distor- 
tion caused  by  the  position  of  the  subject  or  by  the  radi- 
ation of  the  energy,  having  been  eliminated,  it  provides 
an  accurate  cross-section  of  the  body  or  limb,  and  supplies 
anabsolutely  correct  right-angle, at  the  intersection  of  the 
lines  of  which  the  foreign  object  will  be  found  in  the 
body  or  limb. 

The  fluorometer  consists  in  a  set  of  carefully  designed 
metallic  angle  pieces,  which  conform  generally  to  the 
•hape  of  the  body  or  limb,  and  which  are  susceptible  of 


Digitized  by 


Google 


374  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Dec 

being  squared  with  a  simple  and  conveniently  adjustable 
table.  When  the  proper  position  of  the  cross-section  is 
obtained,  the  two  arms  of  the  fluorometer  will  present 
the  characteristic  single  shadow  on  the  field  of  the  fluoro- 
8C.»pe. 

Attachable  to  the  arms  of  the  flaorometer are  two  pins 
or  HJghts.  By  means  of  these  sights,  the  foreign  object 
having  been  brought  in  line  with  them  and  the  proper 
adjustment  having  been  made,  a  correct  line  is  produced,^ 
with  the  sights  and  foreign  object  coincident.  By  means 
of  a  metallic  grating,  of  inch  mesh,  which  is  placed  ad- 
jacent to  one  side  of  the  body  and  consequently  one  side 
of  the  fluorometer,  exact  measurments  can  be  made  with 
the  eye  from  the  base  line,  and  from  points  on  the  cir- 
cumference of  the  body,  to  the  foreign  object. 

Then,  without  moving  the  body  or  the  fluorometer,  the 
Crookes  tube  is  placed  directly  over  the  subject  for  the 
purpose  of  obtaining  the  vertical  line.  By  means  of  an 
adjustable  cross-piece,  which  is  placed  over  the  arms, 
exactly  the  same  results  in  a  vertical  way  are  obtained 
by  viewing  the  subject  from  beneath,  the  same  condition 
of  parallelism  having  been  produced,  another  set  of  pins 
having  been  placed  in  position. 

While  the  first  operation  locates  the  foreign  object  on 
an  exact  cross-section,  the  second  observation  shows  the 
exact  position  occupied  by  the  foreign  object  in  that 
cross  section.  All  the  elements  of  distortion  having 
been  eliminated,  the  foreign  body  will  necessarily  be  at 
the  intersection  of  the  two  lines  of  the  right  angle.  The 
first  cross-section  obtained  is  shown  by  a  line  of  India 
ink  or  iodine  on  the  body. 

Very  early  in  the  history  of  the  X-ray  it  was  found 
that  it  was  a  very  deceptive  guide,  and  that^  wherever  a 
a  foreign  substance  which  was  less  permeable  than  its 
surroundings  might  be,  it  was  certainly  not  in  the  posi- 
tion indicated    by    the  so-called   radiographs   or  skia- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897 1  MICEOSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  375 

graphs,  and,  as  a  consequence,  tw(»  views  taken  at  right 
angles,  would  not  disclose  the  location  of  ihe  object.  It 
was  at  once  apparent  that  the  visible  effect  of  the  Roent- 
gen ray,  whether  in  its  action  on  a  sensitive  plate  or  pa- 
per, or  its  visual  effect  on  the  fluorescent  screen,  is  a 
shadow  only.  It  must  be  remembered  that  we  are  deal- 
ing with  a  shadow,  which  is  not  only  treacherous,  but  is 
lacking  in  the  dimension  of  thickness.  When  the  X  ray 
once  starts  it  goes  straight  to  infinity.  Thus  it  has  hap- 
pened in  many  cases  that,  while  apparently  a  bullet  or 
needle,  for  instance,  was  located  in  a  certain  position 
with  reference  to  the  anatomy,  as  shown  by  a  skiagraph, 
it  would  be  found  that  it  was  not  at  the  place  indicated. 
It  is  not  necessary  to  enlarge  upon  this  branch  of  the 
distortion,  for  it  is  familiar  not  only  to  every  experimen- 
ter on  the  lines  of  the  Roentgen  rays,  but  to  every  sur- 
geon who  has  made  a  skiagraph  the  basis  of  exploration. 
The  only  practical  solution  of  the  diflBculty  is  to  estab- 
lish a  definite  cross  section  of  the  patient  by  means  of 
angle  pieces,  which  would  be  less  permeable  than  any 
portion  of  the  subject,  and  which  could  be  made  to  re- 
tain their  relative  position  to  the  subject,  and  with  the 
parallelism  of  the  rays  through  the  process  of  producing 
the  angles.  Having  established  this  cross-section,  it 
was  found  that  it  was  desirable  that  it  should  be  formed 
in  close  proximity  to  the  foreign  object,  which  had  been 
superficially  located  by  means  of  the  fluoroscope.  An  ap- 
pliance was  perfected  which  conforms  in  a  general  Way 
to  the  shape  of  the  body,  the  neck,  the  head,  the  foot  or 
the  limb,  and  which  at  the  same  time  preserves  the  posi- 
tion of  the  body  squarely  in  its  relation  with  an  adjust- 
able table.  This  adjustable  table  is  extremely  simple, 
and  is  so  arranged  that  when  the  patient  is  placed  in  the 
position  desired,  the  fluorometer  will  rest  in  a  groove  on 
the  table,  in  one  case,  and  an  attachment  of  the  table  in 
the  other.     Then  the  desired  position  having  thus  been 


Digitized  by 


Google 


376  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Dec 

obtained    and  secured,    as    ehown    in    the    illustration, 
patient  and  fluorometer  are  quickly  brought  into  such  a 


position  relatively  to  the  source  of  energy  that  it  shows 
only  a  thin,  characteristic  line  on  the  field  of  the  fluoros- 
cope.     Now,  if  a  line  of  India  ink  is  drawn  between   the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  377 

arms  of  the  fluorometer  on  the  subject,  the  exact  cross- 
section  of  the  patient,  a«  shown  on  the  fluoroscope,  will 
be  made  manifest.  If,  therefore,  the  cross-section  is  es- 
tablished very  close  to  the  foreign  object,  it  will  be  seen 
at  once  that  the  first  diflBculty  has  been  surmounted;  the 
object  has  been  located  in  close  juxtaposition  to  a  thin 
cross-section  of  the  body  or  limb. 

Attachable  to  the  table  is  a  metallic  grating  with 
meshes  of  exactly  one  inch.  This  grating,  when  in  pot^i- 
tion,  is  also  square  with  reference  to  the  table  upon 
which  the  patient  is  placed,  and  the  normal  position  is 
close  to  the  side  of  the  patient,  opposite  to  the  source  of 
energy.  The  fluoroscope  is  placed  against  this  grating, 
and  it  will  be  seen  at  once  that  measuring  from  any  point 
desirable,  on  the  surface  of  the  patient  to  the  foreign  ob- 
ject, is  but  the  matter  of  a  moment.  Just  here  two  mov- 
able pins  on  the  arms  of  the  fluorometer  appliance  come 
into  use.  These  pins  are  placed  equidistant  from  the 
base  of  the  fluorometer  (which  is,  of  course,  squared  with 
the  table).  Then  when  the  table,  with  its  patient,  is  ad- 
justed, so  that  the  pins  or  ^'sights"  coincide  with  the  for- 
eign object,  it  will  be  known  that  all  three  are  in  the 
parallelism  of  the  rays,  and  that  the  characteristic  dis- 
tortion, caused  by  the  angle  of  the  rays,  has  been  elimin- 
ated. Measurements,  taken  with  the  eye  by  means  of  a 
metallic  grating,  will  thus  enable  the  surgeon  to  chart 
unerringly  the  position  of  the  object  with  reference  to 
the  surface  of  the  body  which  contains  it. 

How  far  *'in"  from  the  surface  of  the  body  it  may  be, 
however,  is,  at  this  point,  a  mystery.  Now,  without 
moving  the  patient  or  disturbing  the  position  of  the 
fluorometer,  the  second  observation  is  taken. 

For  convenience  in  using  the  fluoroscope,  a  section  of 
the  top  of  the  table  is  removable,  and  a  proper  fluoro- 
metric  appliance  substituted,  by  means  of  which  the  sec- 
ond right  line  of  the  right  angle    is  determined.       This 


Digitized  by 


Google 


378  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Dec 

aperture  in  the  table  is  also  provided  with  the  metallic 
grating,  and  the  fluorometer  is  provided  with  an  attach- 


ment which  closes  the  side  of  the  instrument  which  was 
open  during  the  first  observation.  Now,  when  the  sur- 
geon takes  a  position  below  the  table,  he  obtains  a  view 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL  379 

which  is  exactly  at  right  angles  with  the  first.  The  pins 
are  again  brought  into  use,  and  the  table,  patient  and 
flnorometer,  together,  brought  into  parallelism  with  tUv 
rays,  the  tube  having  now  been  placed  over  the  patimt, 
as  shown  on  the  opposite  page,  instead  of  the  side.  The 
position  of  the  foreign  object  again,  with  reference  to 
the  points  on  the  cross-section  of  the  subject  and  witli 
reference  to  certain  points  on  the  fluorometer,  is  at  o:i( « 
charted  by  the  aid  of  the  meshes  of  the  m.etallic  gralii/  . 

Necessarily,  the  foreign  object  must  be  situated  at  lie 
point  where  the  two  lines  coincide,  the  distortion  cau-^e  I 
by  position,  also  the  distortion  caused  by  the  angle  of 
the  ray  having  been  eliminate.  Where  that  point  is, 
can,  of  course,  be  at  once  ascertained  by  measurment  t»ii 
the  surface  of  the  body. 

In  the  case  of  a  bullet  in  the  brain  cavity  elements  of 
uncertainty  of  location,  having  in  view  the  desirability 
of  a  possible  operation  for  its  removal,  become  very  gra\  »•. 
A  very  slight  variation  of  the  position  occupied  by  the  head 
will  produce  a  distortion  which  would  preclude  success- 
full  exploration.  By  means  of  the  fluorometer  the  posit  im 
of  a  foreign  object  in  the  brain  cavity  is  ascertained  wiih 
precision  exactly  as  in  the  case  of  the  body  already  given: 
it  becomes  merely  a  matter  of  cross-sections  and  surface 
measurements. 

In  the  case  of  a  bullet  in  the  shoulder  there  is  the  pos- 
sible diflBculty  of  distinguishing  a  foreign  object  by  ex- 
amining the  shadow  thrown  transversely  to  the  body. 
With  this  system,  however,  the  diflBculty  vanishes.  Bar- 
ing the  shoulder,  the  appliance  is  fixed  directly  over  the 
center  of  the  foreign  object,  it  having  been  disclosed  by 
superficial  view.  The  body  is  then  brought  into  such  a 
position  that  the  appliance  shows  only  the  characteris- 
tic thin  vertical  line  on  the  field  of  the  fiuoroscope.  A 
line  of  India  ink  is  then  drawn  across  the  shoulders  to 
indicate  the  cross-section  obtained.     Then  removing  the 


Digitized  by 


Google 


380  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Dec 

appliance  and  moving  the  shoulder  slightly^  perhaps  an 
inch,  the  instrument  is  placed  directly  over  the   foreign 


substance  and  brought  within  the  parallelism  of  the 
rays.  Again  the  India  ink  brush  is  brought  into  requi- 
sition and  another  cross-section  indicated,  intersecting 
the  other  at  some  point  on  the  surface. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  381 

At  this  juncture,  the  metallic  grating  is  brought  into 
use.  At  the  point  where  the  two  lines  intersect  is  placed 
a  bit  of  metal.  Then  with  the  grating  the  distance  down 
to  the  point  occupied  by  the  foreign  substance,  which  is 
necessarily  directly  under,  the  point  of  intersection  is 
measured,  the  line  being  projected  parallel  with  the  base 
line  of  the  fluorometer. 


The  Sporular  Development  of  the  Amoeba  Villosa. 

By  J.  C.  SMITH, 

New  Orleans.  La. 

[Read  before  the  A.  M.  Society,  1H97.] 

In  April,  1897,  the  writer  secured  some  decayed  leaves 
from  a  pond  in  the  Audubon  park  in  New  Orleans,  and 
on  scraping  a  portion  from  one  of  the  leaves,  placed  it 
under  a  cover-glass,  and  then  examining  it  with  a  \  inch 
objective,  the  field  was  seen  to  be  filled  with  a  number 
of  Amoeba  villosa,  Leidy.  Some  of  the  specimens  were 
active,  some  were  apparently  on  the  threshold  of  eiicyst- 
ment,  while  otiiers  had  already  entered  that  stat«\  The 
field,  fortunately,  was  entirely  free  from  oth^M-  forms  of 
Amoeba  as  well  as  of  the  troublesome  Param;ecium. 

For  awhile  the  field  was  thoroughly  examined,  and  the 
writer  noticing  sometiiing  unusual  about  the  Amoeba,  con- 
centrated his  attention  on  one  of  the  forms  thil  had  be- 
come quietj  and  evidently  about  to  become  encyst jmI.  Thi- 
specimen  measured  1-125  inch,  displayed  tlie  ])ost«'rior  w.-U 
covered  with  the  villous  processes  which  are  lii^nostic  of 
this  species.  The  endo[)la8m  contained  ri  u  tin'^M-ol  lin- 
ear bodies  and  some  food-balls  already  rli.iii^c  I  in  color. 
The  contractile  vesicle  was  large  and  ac(iv  -^  nad  instead 
of  the  usual  nucleus,  there  were  from  ten  to  fifteen  nu- 
clear looking  bodies  that  moved  fretdy  i!i  the  endv»plasm 
in  unison  with  a  slight  contraction  and  expansion  of  the 
body.      These  nuclear  looking   bodies  were  evenly    dis- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


382  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Dec 

parsed,  of  a  bluish  tint,  globular,  very  granular  and  in 
size  varied  from  1-2750  to  1-1800  inch.  The  slight  con- 
traction of  the  body  became  fainter,  and  in  about  one 
hour  there  was  a  rapid  movement  of  the  contents  of  this 
specimen,  to  the  posterior  extremity,  and  at  the  same 
time  a  rupture  of  the  seemingly  dense  ectoplasm  of  this 
part.  A  number  of  the  nuclear  looking  bodies,  in  com- 
pany with  the  linear  bodies  and  food-balls  were  ejected 
from  the  body  with  considerable  force,  sending  them  a 
distance  from  the  body  equalling  one-half  of  its  long 
diameter.  The  Amoeba  now  seemed  to  collapse  and  the 
contractile  vesicle  disappeared. 

My  attention  was  now  confined  to  the  nuclear-look- 
ing bodies  that  lay  scattered  about.  In  the  course  of  a 
few  minutes,  the  granules  contained  in  these  bodies  be- 
came partially  concentrated  in  one  place  in  contact  with 
the  ectoplasm,  and  was  of  a  deeper  blue  in  color.  This 
concentration  of  the  granules  left  more  than  one-half  of 
each  body  almost  clear  and  transparent,  and  in  this  clear 
space  there  appeared  simultaneously  with  the  concentra- 
tion, a  very  minute  but  distinct  pulsating  vesicle.  In  a 
short  while  a  slight  movement  of  the  body  was  detected 
and  there  appeared  a  flagellum  equalling  in  length  from 
four  to  five  of  the  body's  diameters  and  was  directed 
stiffly  forward.  The  body  now  became  very  active  and 
in  a  few  seconds  darted  off  in  a  rapid  chase  about  the 
field,  in  an  aimless  manner,  reminding  the  writer  of  the 
zoospores  of  the  Achlya  prolifera. 

Casting  a  glance  at  the  other  free  nuclear-looking  bod- 
ies, it  was  seen  that  most  of  them  were  undergoing  the 
same  change,  and  they  were  kept  under  observation  un- 
til they  had  all  disappeared  from  the  field,  in  the  same 
manner.  It  was  impossible  to  follow  any  one  of  these 
zoospores,  as  the  field  had  become  filled  with  them. 

The  writer  now  confined  his  attention  to  one  of  the 
encysted     Amoeba.      The   one  selected  measured    1-260 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICEOSCOPIOAL  JOURNAL.  383 

inch,  possessed  no  trace  of  a  contractile  vesicle,  no  food- 
balls,  a  few  of  the  linear  bodies,  some  of  the  nuclear- 
looking  bodies  and  nothing  that  conld  be  differentiated 
as  the  original  nucleus.  Tne  nuclear-looking  bodies  were 
granular,  as  the  ones  cited  above,  and  instead  of  being 
free  in  the  endoplasm,  were  congregated  in  five  spheri- 
cal masses,  each  mass  being  composed  of  from  four  to  six 
units  and  was  enclosed  in  a  very  distinct  membrane, 
which  was  made  even  more  distinct  by  adherent  granules. 
In  a  short  while  and  without  any  apparent  move- 
ment of  the  body,  three  of  these  spherical  masses  were 
thrown  out  with  some  force;  the  fissure  in  the  ectoplasm 
of  the  encysted  amoeba  was  not  closed;  and  the  whole 
form  collapsed,  still  containing  two  of  the  masses.  In 
,about  fifteen  minutes  after  being  ejected,  the  membran- 
eous coverings  of  the  units  were  ruptured  and  the  con- 
tained nuclear-looking  bodies  were  freed.  The  average 
size  and  appearance  of  these  bodies  were  the  same  as  the 
ones  seen  discharged  from  the  amoeba  first  recorded.  In 
the  course  of  a  few  minutes  they  were  seen  to  go  through 
identically  the  same  phenomena  as  was  observed  to  take 
place  with  the  one  first  mentioned.  The  field  was  now 
filled  with  these  zoospores,  and  being  free  from  all  other 
forms  of  life,  offered  a  good  opportunity  for  further  study. 
In  about  three  hours  after  beginning  the  observation, 
some  of  the  zoospores  had  slackened  their  movements, 
would  come  to  a  halt  for  a  short  while,  and  then  start 
off  again;  a  number  were  less  active  than  the  rest  and  in 
a  short  while  became  quiescent.  Selecting  a  (juiet  speci 
men  that  measured  1-2000  inch  and  using  a  \  ohjective  it 
,  could  be  distinctly  seen  to  elongate  itselt  aiid  then  re- 
sume its  original  size;  would  throw  out  a  single  minute 
lobate  process  now  from  one  side  and  again  from  the 
other  side.  The  dark  blue  mass  of  aggregated  gran- 
ules first  observed  in  the  nuclear-looking  bodies  after 
they   had  been   ejected  from    the  amoeba,  had    become 


Digitized  by 


Google 


384  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Dec 

much  smaller  and  now  represented  the  nucleas  itself. 
The  contractile  vesicle  was  very  distinct  and  the  inter- 
vals between  diastole  and  systole  were  short.  This  ex- 
trusion of  lobate  processes  was  witnessed  for  some  time, 
and  it  was  noticed  that  there  was  no  change  in  the  posi- 
tion of  the  young  amoeba,  but  that  after  awhile  it  re- 
tained the  elongate  form  and  would  throw  out  pseudo- 
podia  from  all  parts  of  its  body,  that  would  at  times,  ex- 
ceed the  length  of  the  zooid.  At  these  times  it  had  the 
appearance  of  a  minute  Amoeba  proteus,  many  of  the 
forms  now  measured  as  much  as  1-900  inch,  without  the 
pseudopodia.  The  hour  being  late,  the  slide  was  care- 
fully prepared  and  put  away  with  a  view  to  continuing 
the  observation  later. 

On  again  resuming  the  observation,  nineteen  hours  af- 
terwards, the  field  was  found  strewn  with  a  very  large 
number  of  small  and  active  Amoeba  that  differed  from 
the  larger  forms  of  Amoeba  villosa  only  in  the  absence 
of  the  villous  processes.  The  endoplasm  was  slightly 
granular,  the  nuclei  and  contractile  vesicles  as  distinct 
as  in  the  large  forms.  They  were  freely  moving  about 
and  extruded  only  the  lobate  processes.  Measurements 
showed  them  to  range  from  1-800  to  1-560  inch.  In  two 
places  on  the  slide  were  a  number  of  forms,  from  ten  to 
fifteen,  closely  huddled  together,  as  if  dropped  in  a  mass 
at  that  place.  In  size  and  shape  they  were  the  same  as 
the  free  moving  ones;  the  nuclei,  contractile  vesicles  and 
anterior  clear  spaces  being  exceedingly  distinct.  They 
had  a  slight  movement  on  and  alongside  of  each  other, 
without  seeming  to  increase  the  space  occupied  by  them. 
They  would  remind  one  of  a  litter  of  kittens  a  day  or 
two  old.  In  speculating  on  this  phenomenon,  one  could 
come  to  the  conclusion  that  those  nuclear-looking  bodies 
that  remained  in  the  Amoeba  after  a  part  had  been  ejected, 
were  developed  within  the  confines  of  the  body,  and 
were  freed  only  after  the  dissolution   of  the  firm  ecto- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  385 

plasm,  and  in  this  way  the  clusters  of  amoeba  were  pro- 
duced. The  slide  was  now  again  laid  aside,  and  on  again 
resuming  the  observaiions  eighteen  hours  after,  very 
few  forms  were  found,  and  they  differed  in  no  way  from 
the  forms  seen  the  evening  before.  If  food  could  have 
been  supplied  the  observation  could  perhaps  have  been 
extended  so  as  to  witness  the  full  development  of  these 
young  forms. 

To  make  this  history  of  the  sporular  development  of 
the  Amoeba  villosa  (and  by  inference  all  amoeba)  com- 
plete, there  is  only  one  essential  requisite,  and  that  is  to 
trace  the  origin  of  the  nuclear-looking  bodies  to  the  nu- 
cleus. 


Multiple  Images  in  Mirrors. 

By  WM.  BALFOITR  STOKES. 
{Bead  before  the  Quekett  Club,  December  18ih,  1896.) 

The  origin  of  multiple  images    in    plate-glass  mirrors, 
and  their  behaviour,  seems  to  have    attracted    but   little 

1 

% 


notice  among  microscopists.  They  have  been  noted 
and  a  partial  remedy  has  been  prescribed,  but  their  ori- 
gin seems  to  have  been  either  too  simple  or  too  complex 
for  explanation. 

When  attention  has  been  called  to  these  images, 
simple,  and  I  believe  efficient,  reasons  have  been  given ; 
but  their  authors  did  not  explain  the  behaviour  of  the 
images  when  the  mirror  is  revolved. 

A  figure  will  best  show  my  own  idea  as  to  their  origin. 
In  Fig.  1,  A  is  the  glass  surface,  B  the  silver  surface,  0 
the  object,  and  E  the  eye. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


386  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Dec 

Id  the  direction  1,  2,  3,  appear  the  first  three  images. 
No.  1  is  from  the  glass  sarface,  No.  2  is  from  the  silver 
surface,  and  No.  3  is  from  the  silver  and  air  surfaces. 

Move  a  card  along  A  towards  1,  and  No.  3  disappears 
first,  No.  2  immediately  after,  and  No.  1  when  the  card 
reaches  that  point.     So  much  for  their  origin. 

It  will  be  asked,  perhaps,  how  the  images  can  alter 
their  position  when  the  mirror  is  revolved  in  the  plane 
of  A.  They  cannot.  The  mirror  A  B  has  parallel  sur- 
faces. Microscope  mirrors  and  most  plate-glass  mirrors 
are  not  parallelised,  but  are,  at  the  best,  "optically"  flat- 
tened, and  may  be  regarded  as  wedges. 

It  is  then  easily  seen  how  images  approximate  and 
retire  when  the  mirror  is  revolved. 

Let  us  give  surfaces  A  and  B  an  inclination  of  l®(Fig. 
2).  Then  viewing  a  small  object  at  E  (close  to  the  eye) 
one  image  appears  towards  1,  i.e.,  at  right  angles  to  A, 
and  another  in  the  direction  E  2 — li°  from  E  1,  which, 
after  being  refracted  to  1°  in  the  glass,  is  reflected  at 
riglit  angles  from  surface  B. 

There  is  anolher  image  nearer  the  letter  A,  but,  as  it 
follows  the  same  laws  apparently  as  the  others,  save  that 
it  is  a  real  double  reflection,  we  need  not  consider  it.  If 
this  mirror  is  revolved  in  the  plane  of  A,  of  course  No.  1 
image  will  remain  still.  No.  2  and  subsequent  images 
will  revolve  with  the  mirror  round  No.  1.  If  we  exager- 
ate  this  wedge  shape  of  our  mirror,  we  can  see  that  at  a 
peculiar  angle  these  images  can  be  made  to  superimpose. 
Let  the  signs  be  as  before  (Fig.  3)  and  the  images  whose 
rays  pass  respectively  from  0  to  1  and  2^  will  be  reflect- 
ed to  E  as  one  image.  I  should  imagine  the  third  image 
to  arrive  at  E  through  1,  but  I  have  not  yet  worked  this 
out.  Of  course,  placing  the  eye  at  O  and  the  object  at 
E  would  be  equivalent  to  revolving  the  mirror.  The  im- 
ages vary  slightly  in  size  owing  to  their  various  distances. 

No.  2  is  the  brightest  except  at  great  obliquity. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897J  MICEOSOOPIOAL  JOURNAL.  387 

EDITOmAL. 

Formaldehyde— The  credit  of  the  discovery  of  the 
powerful  antiseptic  properties  of  formaldehyde  and  its 
practical  application  is  due  to  A.  Frillat,  who  in  1888  first 
noticed  its  preserving*  action  on  samples  of  wine,  and  in 
1891  made  public  his  experiments,  showing*  it  to  possess 
antiseptic  properties  much  superior  to  all  non-toxic  or- 
ganic antiseptics  then  known. 

Typhoid  Fever. — Water  drawn  from  an  abandoned  well 
has  g^iven  rise  to  several  cases  of  typhoid  fever  near  Rye 
Beach,  N.  Y.  A  party  consisting-  of  half  a  dozen  persons 
went  into  camp  near  that  place  and  drank  water  from  it. 
The  whole  party  immediately  became  ill,  and  two  of  the 
members  have  since  died. 

Fire-Blight. — Tliis  is  now  supposed  to  be  due  to  a  bac- 
terium which  enters  the  plant  through  the  tender  parts  of 
the  tissue,  like  the  flower-buds  or  young  leaf-buds  as  they 
unfold,  and  spreads  down  through  the  branches.  When 
it  appears  on  the  main  branches  it  is  often  called  "body 
blig^ht,"  and  its  presence  is  marked  by  brown  and  lifeless 
patches  which  become  sunken.  Wherever  the  blight  ap- 
pears the  limbs  should  be  cut  off  at  once  below  the  point 
where  the  infection  has  reached,  and  as  a  precaution 
against  the  spread  of  the  disease  the  prunings  should  be 
burned. 


MItVOSCOPICAL  APPARATUS. 


The  Micromotoscope — Is  a  kinetoscope  for  photograph- 
ing" cell  life  in  motion,  as  seen  in  the  microscopic  field. 
The  pictures  are  taken  by  the  gelatine  film  at  from  5,000 
to  15,000  magnifications,  at  the  rate  of  from  1,600  to  3,500 
per  minute.  The  images  being  magnified  thousands  of 
times  when  projected  upon  a  screen,  the  views  of  some  of 
the  families  of  microbes  are  very  realistic.  It  has  been 
learned  that  some  of  them  act  as  if  intelligent.  The  pho- 
tographs of  the  blood  in  circulation  in  the  thinnest  part  of 
the  ears  and  webs  of  the  fingers,  showing  the  cappillary 


Digitized  by 


Google 


388  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Dec 

and  arterial  motion  and  the  changres  going- on  in  the  white 
cells,  are  of  great  interest.  They  indicate  something-  of 
the  natnre  of  life  and  disease.  The  stream  of  circulating 
human  blood  is  so  swift  that  the  eye  cannot  keep  pace  with 
it,  and  the  changes  in  the  white  blood  cells  are  correspond- 
ingly rapid.  Some  of  the  pictures  show  a  white  cell  on 
the  fast  moving  stream,  like  a  white  cap  on  the  sea,  con- 
stantly changing  its  shape.  It  throws  out  or  takes  in  its 
arms  like  an  octopus,  seizing  the  microbes  in  its  path.  In 
disease  this  movement  of  the  arms  takes  place  with  much 
less  energy  than  in  health.  These  pictures  cannot  fail  to 
be  of  great  value  in  the  study  of  diseases.  The  micromo- 
toscof>e  will  greatly  aid  in  the  investigation  of  phenomena 
of  action  of  ameboid  life  in  water. — Elect.  Age, 

MICEOSCOPICAL  MANIPULATION. 


Mounting  Chara.— ^A.  Flatters  finds  that  the  fruit  of 
chara  makes  a  good  slide  when  mounted  in  glycerin  jelly. 
After  cleaning  he  places  it  in  92  per  cent  alcohol  for  sev- 
eral hours,  then  transfers  into  a  mixture  of  equal  parts  of 
spirit  and  glycerin  for  several  hours  longer,  after  which 
he  ]«ours  olT  nearly  all  of  the  mixture  and  adds  pure  gly- 
cerin at  intervals  till  the  glycerin  becomes  concentrated. 
Finally  the  object  is  mounte<l  in  glycerin  jelly  in  a  cavity 
slip  just  deep  enough  to  take  it  without  pressure.  A  sec- 
ond method  is  to  mount  in  balsam,  as  follows: — After 
cleaning,  graduate  through  25  per  cent,  50  per  cent,  to  92 
percent  alcohol  and  allow  to  stand  in  the  last  strength  for 
several  hours.  Take  a  tube  and  put  in  it  oil  of  cloves.  On 
the  top  of  the  oil  pour  a  little  absolute  alcohol.  Immerse 
the  specimen  gently  in  the  alcohol  and  allow  it  to  sink  to 
the  bottom  of  the  tube.  When  clear  mount  in  balsam  and 
benzole.  If  transferred  direct  from  the  spirit  into  oil  of 
cloves,  objects  will  shrivel  and  be  spoiled,  hence  the  nec- 
essity of  the  graduating  method.  To  see  the  antheridia 
properly,  sections  should  be  made. — Science  Gossips   iv.,  88. 

Vegetable  Sections. — The  best  results  are  obtained  by 
first  bleaching  the  tissues,  and  the  best  agent  for  this  pur- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL.  389 

pose  is  Labarroque's  solution  (liquor  sodae  chlorinata)  of 
the  U.  S.  P.  Put  the  sections  in  the  liquor  and  leave  un- 
til every  trace  of  color  is  removed.  The  time  will  vary 
according-  to  the  nature  of  the  tissue,  thickness  ofsection, 
etc.  When  bleached,  wash  the  sections  by  allowing^ a  g-en- 
ll.i  stream  of  water  to  flow  over  them  until  they  no  longer 
smell  of  the  liquor,  then  put  them  in  distilled  water  carry- 
ing- one  minim  of  nitric  acid,  c.  p.,  to  the  ounce.  Let  re- 
main for  a  few  moments,  then  transfer  to  absolute  alcohol 
where  they  should  remain  one  hour,  before  passing  to  the 
staining-  baths.  Except  for  special  demonstrations  where 
carmine,  picro  carmine,  xanthoxylin,  etc.,  are  required, 
the  writer  prefers  the  aniline  colors. 


BACTERIOLOGY. 


A  Sweet  Corn  Bacillus. — Mr.  F.  C.  Stewart,  is  study- 
ing a  new  bacterial  disease  of  sweet  corn.  The  plants  wilt 
and  dry  up,  although  the  leaves  do  not  roll  as  they  do  when 
they  die  from  lack  of  moisture.  In  young  plants  death  oc- 
curs in  a  few  days,  but  the  disease  requires  from  two  to 
four  weeks  to  run  its  counse  in  older  plants.  Externally 
affected  plants  appear  sound,  but  when  split  the  iibro-vas- 
cular  bundles  are  found  gorged  with  a  yellow  substance. 
When  a  diseased  stalk  is  cut  crosswise  there  exudes  from 
the  ends  in  yellow  viscid  drops  a  substance  composed  of 
immense  numbers  of  short  bacilli.  The  disease  raayattack 
the  plants  at  any  stage  of  growth,  but  is  the  most  virulent 
about  the  time  when  the  ears  are  forming.  It  does  not 
spread  from  an  initial  centre,  but  is  found  scattered 
through  the  field.  Diseased  plants  frequently  occur  in 
the  same  hill  with  healthy  ones.  It  is  found  in  all  kinds  of 
soil,  and  seems  to  prefer  the  early  dwarf  varieties  of  sweet 
corn. —  Garden  and  Forest. 

Flavoring  Micrococcus  of  Butter.-  It  was  a  remark- 
able discovery,  when,  in  April,  18%,  Simeon  C.  Keith  was 
i-tudying  the  effects  of  various  bacteria  upon  cream,  and 
in  the  course  of  his  experiments  he  isolated  a  micrococcus 
that  was  found  to  produce  a  decided  butter  flavor  and  aro- 


Digitized  by 


Google 


390  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [D«c 

ma  when  grown  in  milk  or  cream.  This  proved  to  be  a 
new  species,  for  which  he  proposed  the  name  Micrococcns 
butyri-aromafaciens. 

It  has  always  been  the  custom  to  allow  cream  to  sour  or 
*'ripen"  before  churning  it  for  butter,  because  after  this 
process  the  butter  comes  better  and  more  quickly,  is  of 
better  texture  and  flavor,  and  keeps  better  than  butter 
made  from  sweet  cream.  Lord  Lister  and  Pasteur,  many 
years  ago,  showed  that  the  souring'  of  milk  and  cream  is 
due  to  minute  micro-organisms.  It  remained  for  Profes- 
sor Vilhelm  Storch,  of  Copenhagen,  however,  to  introduce 
the  use  of  pure  cultures  of  milk-souring  bacteria  in  butter 
making.  Storch  isolated  three  species  that  impart  especi- 
ally fine  flavors  to  butter. 

A  similar  line  of  work  was  taken  up  by  Professor  Weig- 
mann,  at  Kiel,  in  Germany,  and  by  Professor  H.  W.  Conn* 
of  Wesleyan  University,  in  the  United  States. 

Of  the  bacteria  that  have  been  described  as  producing  a 
beneficial  effect  in  the  ripening  of  cream.  Micrococcus 
butyri-aromafaciens  most  nearly  resembles  Conn's  Bacil- 
lus No.  41  in  its  effects  upon  milk,  but  it  differs  in  its  mor- 
phological and  in  many  of  its  physiological  characters.  It 
is  a  micrococcus  growing  at  37  degrees  and  20  degrees  C. 
It  liquefies  gelatin  slowly,  and  does  not  grow  well  on  po- 
tato. Recent  cultures  on  gelatin  seem  to  show  that  the 
organism  has  lost  to  a  considerable  extent  its  power  to 
liquefy  gelatin  during  a  year's  cultivation. 

The  culture  of  the  micrococcus  for  use  in  creameries  is 
propagated  in  bouillon  in  Fernbach  flasks  (broad  flasks  so 
constructed  that  a  large  surface  of  liquid  is  presented  to 
the  air).  When  ready  for  shipment,  the  culture  is  trans- 
ferred to  sterilized  bottles  under  aseptic  conditions  and 
hermetically  sealed  by  means  of  sterilized  corks  and  melted 
paraffin.  Put  up  in  this  way,  the  culture  may  be  kept  for 
an  indefinite  time  without  danger  of  infection  by  any  other 
organism,  but  in  the  sealed  bottles  the  micrococcus  loses 
its  vitality  so  rapidly  that  after  eight  days  it  will  no  longer 
produce  the  best  results.  Experiments  made  on  a  com- 
mercial scale  show  that  cream  ripened  with  the  aid  of 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897]  MICEOSCOPICAL  JOTJENAL.  391 

fresh,  pure  cultures  of  this  organism  produces  g^enerally 
better  butter  than  the  same  cream  ripened  in  the  usual 
way. 

The  general  characters  are  these:  A  micrococcus  oc- 
curring generally  in  pairs;  0*5  to  0*7  thousandth  of  a  milli- 
meter in  diameter,  occasionally  reaching  1;  non-motile;  no 
spores;  grows  rapidly  at  37  degrees  and  20  degrees  C; 
aerobic;  slow  liquefier  of  g^elatin;  non-chromogenic(white); 
stains  well  with  carbol-fuchsin. — Popular  Scienc  News, 

The  Bacillus  Icteroides— Is  a  small  rod  with  rounded 
ends,  united  by  pairs  in  cultures,  from  two  to  four  micro- 
millimeters  in  length,  being  three  times  as  long  as  broad. 
It  grows  readily  in  all  the  ordinary  culture  media,  and  is 
easily  stained  by  the  usual  solutions  used  for  such  pur- 
poses. "When  the  colonies  are  grown  in  the  incubator 
they  do  not  present  marked  differences  from  other  species 
of  microbes;  they  are  rounded,  of  a  slightly  irridescent 
gray  color,  transparent,  even  in  surface,  and  regular  in 
outline.  But  if  the  colonies  are  allowed  to  evolve  at  a  tem- 
perature of  30  degrees,  to  22degreesC.,  theylooklikedrops 
of  milk,  opaque,  projecting,  and  with  pearly  reflections.'* 
By  exposing  cultures  for  twelve  hours  in  an  incubator  and 
then  to  the  temperature  of  the  air  for  the  same  length  of 
time,  they  show  themselves  as  constructed  with  a  flat 
nucleus,  transparent  and  azure,  with  a  prominent  peri- 
pheral circle  that  is  opaque.  This,  the  discoverer  claims 
will  distinguish  the  bacillus  from  all  previously  known  va- 
rieties. **lt  is  a  faculative  anaerobe;  ferments  glucose 
and  saccharose;  very  resistant  to  drying;  dies  in  water  at 
60  degrees,  or  after  exposure  to  sunlight  for  seven  hours, 
and  lives  for  a  long  time  in  salt  water." 

Microbe  of  Ambergris. — According  to  professor  Beau- 
regard, the  intestinal  concretions  of  the  cachalot  are 
caused  by  a  microbe  very  similar  to  the  comma  bacillus 
of  cholera.  Here  is  a  new  field  for  the  enterprising  phar- 
macist; he  might  inoculate  a  few  sperm  whales  in  confine- 
ment and  patiently  await  the  formation  of  the  calculi.  The 
difficulty  is,  as  usual , first  to  catch  the  cachalot. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


392  THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY  [Dec 

MEDICAL  MICROSCOPY. 

Yellow  Fever.— Walter  Barker,  U.  S.  Consul  at  Sagua 
la  Grande,  Cuba,  reports  to  Surg-eon  General  Wyman,  that 
two  of  the  five  warehouses  used  for  storing-  sugar  before 
shipment  to  the  United  States  are  being-  used  as  hospitals 
for  yellow  fever  and  other  infectious  diseases  among-  Span- 
ish soldiers. 

Typhoid  Fever.— The  serum  test  of  typhoid  fever  has 
been  applied  to  the  detection  of  typhoid  infection  in  water 
-by  Dr.  Waytt  Johnson,  of  Montreal,  bacteriolog-ist  to  the 
Provincial  Board  of  Health,  who  has  described  his  methods 
and  promising-  results  before  the  Montreal  Medico-Chirur- 
gfical  Society. 


MICROSCOPK  Al.   NOTES. 


It  is  difficult  to  freeze  a  ^erm  to  death;  but  boiling- 
quickly  destroys  all  micro-org^anisms. 

Make  it  your  business  to  g-et  rid  of  the  soil  where  g-erms 
may  g-row,  and  the  g-erms  will  seek  other  pastures. 

Antiseptics  are  excellent  remedies  for  some  one  else  to 
rely  upon.  Better  is  hot  water  and  plenty  of  g-ood  soap 
and  sa polio  than  a  solution  of  bichloride  of  mercury  or  car- 
bolic acid. 

Professor  Virchow,  has  been  elected  a  foreig-n  associ- 
ate of  the  Paris  Academy  of  Sciences  in  the  place  of  the 
late  Dr.  Tchebitchef. 

The  Prussian  g-overnment  will  assist  the  fresh-water 
hiolo«^Ical  station  at  Plon  after  October,  1898. 

Pasteur. — September,  29,  1897,  was  the  second  aniver- 
sury  of  Pasteur's  death,  and  it  was  fitting-ly  remembered 
at  the  Institute. 

Sanitation. — A  proprietor  of  a  barber  shop  has  very 
justly  been  fined  £  5  and  costs  for  attending-  to  his  busi- 
ness while  still  passing-  through  the  peeling-  stage  of  scar- 
let fever. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


FOR  SALE. -"Microscope,  Bausch  and  Lomb*s  Universal  with  ac 
cessories  in  first-class  order.  A  bargain.  Also,  miscellaneous  slides. 
Fresh  stock,  first-class  work.  Satisfaction  guaranteed.  Have  supplied 
stock  to  Bausch  and  Lomb  Optical  Co.,  to  Wm.  F.  Stieren,  Pittsburg,  and 
others.    No  lists.    Send  Ji.oo  for  sample  half-dozen. 

REV.  C.  K.  EMERY. 

BILOXI,  MISS. 

Sixth    Edition  of 

THE     MICROSCOPE 

AND    MIGROSGOF^IGAIa    METHODS. 
BY  SIMON   HENRY  GAGE, 

ProfeMor  of  Mleroscopj,  Histology  and  EmbTjology  In  Cornell  Unlveraity  and  the  New 
York  Bute  veterinarj  College.  Itbaca,  N.  T  .  U.  8.  A. 
The  flgans  have  been  increaaed  from  103  to  165.  In  matter  this  edition  has  grown  ttom  165  to  287 
pagea.  This  increase  is  dne  to  additions  in  the  text  of  preTious  editions  and  to  some  wholly  new  matter 
npon  methods  of  Isolation  and  of  sectioning  by  the  collodion  and  by  the  paraffin  methods,  thf  preMration 
of  drawings  for  poblicatlon  and  lectors  room  diagram.  PRIOB  $1.60  POST  PAID.  Comstock  Publish- 
mo  Co..  Ithaca.  N.  T. 


AMH#NOL 


3n  ta  (Brtppe 

behaves  as  a  stimulant  as  well  as  an    M  iTvH  W  %I  •  'r^ViSr* 


•fnd  flnalgeLsic 


thus  differing  from  other  Coal- 


tar  products.  It  has  been  used  in  the  relief  of  rheumatism  and  neuralgic 
pains  and  in  the  treatment  of  the  sequelae  of  alcoholic  excess.  AMMONOL 
IS  also  prepared  in  Uie  form  of  salicylate,  bromide,  and  lithiate.  The  pres- 
ence of  Ammonia,  in  a  more  or  less  free  state,  gives  it  additional  properties 
as  an  expectorant,  diuretic  and  corrective  of  hyperacidity.—  Londoft  Lancet. 

©he.  .Stimiitant 

AMMONOL  is  one  of  the  derivatives  of  Coal-tar,  and  differs  from  the  numerous  sim- 
ilAr  products  in  that  it  contains  Ammonia  in  active  form.  As  a  result  of  this,  AMMO- 
N  O L  possesses  marked  stimulating  and  expectorant  properties.  The  well-known  cardiac 
depression  induced  by  other  Antipyretics  has  frequently  prohibited  their  use  in  otherwise 
suitable  cases.  The  introduction  of  a  similar  drug,  possessed  of  stimulating  properties, 
Is  an  event  of  much  Importance.  AMMONOL  possesses  marked  anti-neuralgic 
propertles,and  it  is  claimed  to  be  especially  useful  in  cases  of  dysmenorrhoea. —  The  Med- 
ical Magazine t  London. 

Ammonol  may  be  obtained  from  all  Leading  Druggists.    Send  for  "Ammonol  Ex- 
cerpta,"  a  48-page  pamphlet. 

THE  AMMONOL  CHEMICAL  CO., 

NEW  YORK,  U.  8.  A. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE  MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL 

DECEMBER. 

Parasitic  Leaf-Faogi.     Wilson.     [Illustrated] 365 

The   Denni«  Fluorometer.     [Illastrated] 373 

Sporular  Development  of  Amoeba  villoma 3*^1 

Multiple  Images  in  Mirrors.    Stokes.  [Illustrated] ^ 3Ho 

Editorial. 

Formaldehyde 'AH7 

Typhoid  Fever 387 

Fire-Blight 387 

Microscopical  Apparatus. 

The  Micrmotoecope 387 

Microscopical  MANrpuLAxioN. 

Mounting  Chara 38S 

Bacteriolo(»y. 

8weet-corn  Bacillus 389 

Micrococcus  of  Butter 389 

Bacillus  Icteroides 391 

Microbe  of  Ambergris 391 

Medical  Microscopy. 

\ellowFever^ 39*2 

Typhoid  Fever 392 

MicRascopicAL  Notes. 

Pasteur,  Virchow,  Sanitation,  etc 39*2 


I44b 


$7500  to  $25000  A  MONTH 


1  virorlclns:  'Fov  %am.  J\,si^r%±,m  |3v-0'F»v-v-od 
»  c»n  •furrfelsK  tt  Korso  And  slvo  «Kolv- 
»lo  ^lrr^«    ^o    ^K^    l>visln«ss.       Sf^ttro    mo- 


P/ease  state  age  and  business  experience.      Never  mind 
about  sending  stamp  for  reply. 

CO,  WuhiDiiioa,  I.  C,  1. 1 1 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE    AMERICAN 

MONTHLY 

MICROSCOPICAL    JOURNAL 


INDEX. 


Abba,  104 

Acid,  formic,  31 

Adamson,  198 

Algae,  188 

Ambergris,  microbe  of,  391 

Amblystoma  tigrinnm,  10 

Amoeba  villosa,  381 

Ampbibian,  tailed,  10 

American  Microscopical  Society,  259 

Andrews,  Tbomas,  236 

Antbrax,  bacteria,  330 

Antitoxin,  55,  105,  166 

Apertures  of  objectives,  3 

Aqnarinm,  fresb-water,  41 

Astronomical  photography,  347 

Bacillarla,  casts  of,  280 

Bacillariacese,  258 

Bacilli,  tnbercle,  92 

Bacillus  coli  communis,  104,  199,298 

icteroides,  391 

of  diptheria,  228 

typhi,  199 
Bacterial  diseases,  229 

organisms,  184 
Bacteria  in  normal  milk,  102 

in  urine,  167 
Bacteriology,  28,  67,  102,  135,  160, 
199,  229,  265,  298,  330,  359, 
389 

of  influenza,  246 
Bacteriosis,  67 
Baldness,  165,  359 
Barbados,  25,  72 
Bartonology,  136 
Bastin,  Edson  S.  157 
Beech  wood  creosote,  27 
Bennett,  R.  A.  41 
Benoit,  Dr.  284 
Bibliography,  313 
Bigney,  A.  J.  220 
Biological   notes,  66,   107,  167,  200, 

230,267 
Biology  of  diatoms,  33 
Blood  and  muscle,  84 
Blood-corpuscles,  168,  230 
Boeckmann,  Edward  48 
Bojc-mofw  Uavep,  232 
BoUey,  H.  L.  102 
Borden,  W.  C.  1 


Botanical  sections,  101 
Bovine  tuberculosis,  356 
Boyce,  Prof.  167  '^^JZ 

Bray,  Thomas  J.  230 
Bremer,  299 
Bright,  Hardin  W.  99 
Brodie,  Br.  329 
Brown,  Amos  P/232,  235 
Bruce,  Dr.  332 
Bubonic  plague,  163 
Buck,  J.  D.  32,  204  I 
Burch,  Geo.  J.  67  _ 
Camera  lucida,  256  ■ ' 
Carnations,  bacteriosis  of,  67 
Caseous  rhinitis,  361 
Caste  of  bacillaria,  280 
Catarrhal  otitis  media,  28 
Cause  of  foul  water,  317 
Cement,  296 
Chalcedony,  235 
Chalk,  267 
Cheese  curd,  102 
Chemical  oids,  126 
Cigarrettes,  128 
Circulation  of  blood,  361 
Clarkson,  Arthur  203 
Clay,  224 

Claypole,  Edith  J.  84 
Claypole,  E.  W.  222 
Clothes  moth,  larvee  of  231 
Collecting;  apparatus,  237 
Collins,  Katherine  R.  126 
Color  illumination,  196 
Comparative  histology,  73 
Comparing  apertures,  3 
Conjunctival  sac,  160 
Corn  bacillus,  389 
Creosote,  beech  wood,  27 
Craig,  Thomas  107,  172,  253 
Creighton,  Charles,  204 
Cruciferae,  205,  269,  312 
Crystals,  231,  234 
Culture  media,  149,  159 
Cunningham,  K.  M.  33,  173 
Daday,  Dr.  E.  v.  237 
Dennis  fluorometer,  373 
Dental  tissues,  infiltrating,  65 
Diabetis,  299  r^ 
Diamonds,  life  In,  328 


Digitized  by 


Google 


398 


THE  AMERICAN  MONTHLY 


[Dec 


Diarrhoea,  332 
Diatomoceaj,  187 
DiatomoceooA  earth,  95 
Diatoms,  203,  233,  295 

hiology  of,  33 

distribntion  of,  233 

from  RedoDdo  Beach,  233 

growth  of,  118 

marine,  203 
Diphtheria  antitoxic  serum,  55 

bacillus,  160 

blood  in,  266 
Disinfection,  88 
Distilling  water,  195 
Distribution  of  fungi,  31 
Doty,  Alvah  H.  163 
Dragonflies,  249 
Drinking  water,  359 
Earth,  barl3ados,  25 

infusorial,  63 
Editorial,  25,  62,  95,  128,  157,  192, 

227,  259,  293,  328,    :i56,  387 
Edwards,    Arthur  M.  89,   124,   224, 

228,  256,  258,  274,  280,  317 
Ehrlich,  P.  105 

Eisner.  199 

Embryo  turtle,  307 

Envelope*,  moistening,  98 

Exchange,  306 

Eyre,  J.  162 

Febrile  disease,  167 

Feces,  character  of,  103 

Fire-flight,  287 

Fish  diet  and  leprosy,  134 

Fish,  Pierre  A.  289 

Flatters,  A.  388 

Flavoring  butter,  389 

Flowers,  preservation  of,  202 

Fly,  a  germ  carrier,  103 

Focusing,  97 

Foot  of  housefly,  201 

Foraminifera,  180 

Formaldehyde,  131,  133,  387. 

Formalin,  283 

Formic  acid,  31 

Forret,  J.  A.  100 

Fossil  bacteria,  229 

lake  in  New  Jersey,  124 
Frogs,  blood-corpuicles,  230 
Fungi,  31 

Gage,  Susanna  P.  307 
Gardens,  96 
Glucose,  OS 
Grosset    106 
<:'^the,  298 
(;,ns^  W.  H.  165 
Giiiiiiir^l,  *27 
Gymnusjicrms,  200 


Haemoglobin,  220 
Habn,  163 
Hall,C.  M.  102 
Hanaman,  Charles  E.  7 
Hansen,  Dr.  134 
Harris,  A.  J.  195 
Havelbarg,  Dr.  300 
Herdman,  Prof.  167 
Hirase,  Dr.  8.  200 
Histological  method,  100 
Hoffman,  103 
Honey  bee,  31 
Horses,  epidemic  of,  284 
Hosts,  infusorial,  253 
House-fly,  201 
House,  John  C.  227 
Hurley,  John  F.  168 
Hydrachnidse,  232 
Ikeno,  Prof.  S.  200 
Illumination,  227 
Immunity,  136 
Infection,  169 
Influenza,  246 
Infasoria,  63,  96,  109,  141 
Inks,  72,  158 
Insecta,  7,  62 
Jones,  M.  A.  C.  103 
Jones,  Prof.  R.  268 
Joos,  159 
Jores,  Dr.  64 
Keith,  Simeon  C.  369 
Kirkland.  A.  H.  191 
Klebs-Loeffler  bacillus,  165 
Komanur,  Karl,  330 
Laboratory,  356 
Lamb,  J.  E.  184 
lamprey,  213 
Lannois,  28 
Lendner,  M.  A.  268 
Leprosy,  360 
Leucocytes,  163 
Library  Mucilage,  98 
Light  on  fungi,  268 
Liggett,  Geo.  S.  283 
Liquid  polish,  127 
Malaria,  274 
Marine  diatoms,  173,  203 

clays,  180 
Marpmann,  Dr.  158 
Mechanical  stage,  26 
Hedia,  gummy,  228 
Medical   microscopy,    70,    105,    133, 

165,  266,  299,  332,  392 
Medico-legal  matters,  135 
Mer.  er,  A.  Clifford,  347 
Meriin,  Eliot,  201 
Microbes,  68,  324 
Micrometer  rulings,  366 


Digitized  by 


Google 


1897] 


MICROSCOPICAL  JOURNAL. 


399 


MicromotMOope,  294,  387 
Microorganisms,  105 
Microscope,  »  polarizing,  131 
evolution  of,  333 
lamp,  128 
objectives,  80 
slides,  225 

with  plain  stages,  26 
Microscopical  aids  to  diagnosis,  126 
apparatus,  26,  63,  128,  195,  227, 

294,  328,  356,  387 
manipulation,   27,   64,   99,  133, 
159,    19d,     2t>8,    263,    295, 
329,  359,  388 
methods,  27,  217 
notes,    31,   71,   108,    168,    234, 

361,  392 
Societies; 
Sheffield,  £ng.,  28 
Liverpool,  £ng.,  29 
Quekett,  Eng.,  29,  30,  140,  300 
New  Jersey  state,  138,  170 
American,  138,  222,  259,  363 
Royal,  170 
American  postal,  211 
Microscopic  specimens,  64 
Milk,  sterilization  of,  100 
Molasses,  229 
Morton,  Frank  S.  180 
Mounting,  101,  388 
Mouser,  8.  M.  356 
Mul/ord   H.  K.  55 
Multiple  images,  385 
Murder,  31 
Mnrray,  G.  203 
Muscle,  histology  of,  84 

fibre,  73 
Myometrium,  252 
Nagana,  332 
Need  ham,  James  G.  249 
Nelson,  Edward  M.  80,  333 
Nervous  tissue,  265 
Nettle,  wild,  201 
Nitrogen,    331 
Nobel,    Dr.    Alfred,   66 
Nocard,  Prof.  96 
Nomenclature,  193 
Notices  of  books: 
Mystic  Masonry,  32 
Bacteria  in  rocks,  108 
Histology,  text  book  of,  203 
Browning's  Paracelus,  204 
Microscopic  researches,  204 

"  internal  flaws,  236 

Canadian  entomologist,  268 
Medical  botany,  332 
Elementary  zoology,  364 
Oakley,  Richard  H.  25 


Objectives,  3,  80,  197 
Objects,  illuminating,  129 
Oblique  light,  227 
Orth,  J.  198 
Osborn,  Henry  L.  10 
Osseous  tissues,  65 
Otitis  media,  28 
Ovum  of  lamprey,  213 
Oysters,  167 
Pacific  soundings,  89 
Pammel,  L.  H.  205,  312,  269 
Pai-asitic  leaf  fungi,  365 
Parifeau,  Dr.  284 
Park,  Dr.  134,  266 
Parritt,  H.  W.  306 
Pastes,  296 
Pasteur,  392 

Pathogenic  organisms,  330 
Pectinatella,  232 
Peglion,  Dr.  V.  229 
Peroxide  of  hydrogen,  7,  25 
Personal,  70 
Pfister,  Charies,  293 
Pharmacy,  63 
Photo-micrography,  328 
Physicians,  107,  285 
Picro-carmine,  99 
Plants,  101,  229,  330 
Podiscns  placid  us,  191 
Pollen,  293 
Postal  clnb,  227 
Potato  agar,  265 
Powdered  drugs,  217 
Practicle  hints,  97 
Pregnancy,  134,  266 
Pringle,  C.  G.  47 
Psendo  re-action,  137 
Pulvilli  of  flies,  267 
Quinby,  Benjamin  F.  328 
Rawlins,  B.  L.  3,  155 
Redondo  diatoms,  233 
Reed,  Raymond  C.  149 
Refraction,  index  of,  155 
Renault,  M.  B.  108,  229 
Kheinberg,  Julius,  196 
Rhizopods,  107 
Richards,  Dr.  H.  M.  265 
Ringworm,  198 
lioeutgen  rays,  350 
Russel,  H.  L.  330 
Sabourand,  Dr.  359 
Salamander,  10 
Saliva,  135 
Sanarelli.  G.  133,  324 
Sand,  234,  295 
Sanitation,  392 
Scarlet  fever,  106 
Schneider,  Albert,  217 


Digitized  by 


Google 


400 


THE  AMBBIOAN  MONTHLY 


[Dec 


Schambnii;,  359 

S«hoeD,  Prof,  ▼on,  328 

Scott,  Brycc,  26 

SectioDs,  frozen,  198 

Seeds  and  tesU,  205,  269,  312 

Sberman,  W.  N.  92 

Smegma  bacillas,  298 

Smith,  J.  C.  109,  141,  381 

Snails,  31 

Specimens,  64 

Sporalar  development,  387 

Spronck,  160 

Stage,  26 

SUining,  329 

Sterilization,  48 

Sternberg,  George  M.  32 

Stokes,  Wm.  Balfonr,  140,  385 

Storaz,  101 

Taylor,  Louise,  73 

Techniqne,  289 

Tissnee,  vegetable,  100 

Toads,  31 

Tsetse  fiy,  332 

Tnbercle  bacillns,  92,  99,  263 

Tnbercaloas  cattle,  103 

TabercaloRis,  361 

Typhoid  fever,  70,  128,  387,  392 

Urinary  deposits,  160 


Van  Dyek,  F.  C.  131 

Veeder,  M.  A.  301 

Vegetable  sections,  100, 225,  388 

Vertebrates,  10 

Vinassa,  Dr.  E.  100 

Virchow,  Prof.  392 

Vivisection,  192 

Vofflino,  31 

Vortse,  C.  M.  228,  230 

Vreven,  27 

Walker,  J.  G.  187 

Water,  examination  27,  128,301,  340 

Watermites,  158,  232 

Ward,  D.  B.  229 

Ward,  H.  B.  232 

Ward,  B.  H.  97,  211,  213 

Watkins,  Robert  L.  294 

Whipple,  George  C.  118,  340 

White,  Charters,  65 

WhiUey,  J.  D.  246 

Wilson,  Alex.  S.  365 

Wolcott,  Robert  H.  232 

Woolman,  liewis,  233,  234 

Wright,  John  S.  225 

Xerosis,  bacillns,  162 

Yellow  fever,  133,  300,  392 

Young,  A.  A.  285 

Zentmayer,  Joseph,  26 


Publication  Announcement. 

The  American  Monthly  Microscopical  Journal  will  in 
1898  be  continued  as  a  16-page,  illustrated  magazine  and 
will  be  confined  very  carefully  to  the  subject  of  micros- 
copy, omitting  the  "contributions  to  biology.'*  No  long 
articles  can  be  accepted.  Abstracts,  news,  and  brief  ar- 
ticles will  be  sought.  Papers  on  the  subject  are  scattered 
widely  as  is  shown  by  our  exchanges.  A  great  number 
of  short  items  and  abstracts  of  articles  will  be  possible. 
The  price  of  subscription  will  be  restored  to  one  dollar. 

The  publication  of  "The  Microscope"  will  be  discontin- 
ued and  this  magazine  supplied  to  all  who  have  been  its 
subscribers.  Those  who  have  taken  both  periodicals  will 
receive  the  Journal  only  unless  they  by  postcard  or  oth- 
erwise request  a  discontinuance.  This  is  simply  to  meet 
what  in  most  ca(*es  will  be  the  desire  and  to  save  corres- 
pondence.    We  shall  treat  exchanges  in  the  same  way. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


A  NBW  EDITION  OF 

ifl£.  iA^KTSON  5^  SONS* 

Illustrated  Catalogue  of  Microscopes,  Objectives 
and  Accessories. 

In  it  will  he  foand  fally  described  all  the  latest  improvements  and  desinDB 
of  the  Watson  Instruments,  also  many  new  kinds  of  accessories  inclnding  tbe 
following : 

A  SERIES  OF  NEW  PARACHROMATIC 

MICROSCOPIC   OBJECTIVES, 

These  Lenses  will  be  found  to  possess  large  apertures,  to  be  of  aniform  qual- 
ity, and  to  be  as  low  in  price  as  any  Objectives  in  the  market  They  ars 
constructed  almost  entirely  of  Jena  Glass. 

The  following  are  selected  lirom  the  Series 


rowKR. 

N.  A. 

PRICE. 

POWER. 

N.  A. 

PRICE 

1-2  inch 

0.34 

£1.2.6 

2-3  in. 

0.28 

£1.5.0 

1-4  inch 

0.68 

1.6.0 

1-6  in. 

0.87 

1.10.0 

1-8  inch 

0.88 

2.0.0 

1-8  in. 

0.90 

.5.0 

Immersion. 

1-8  inch 

1-20 

4.16.0 

1-12  in. 

1.26 

5.0.0 

W.  WATSON  &  SONS' 

New  "PARACHROMATIC"  Substage  Condenser. 

This  condenser  has  a  total  aperture  of  1.0  N.  A.,  has  an  extremely  laige 
Aplanatic  Aperture,  exceeding  .90  N.  A.  Its  power  is  2-7  inch,  and  with 
the  front  lens  removed,  4.10  inch.  It  is  ulonnted  with  Iris  Diaphragm  and 
revolving  carrier  for  slops  for  dark  ground  and  oblique  ilium inatioD.  The 
Iris  Dhiphragm  is  divided  so  as  to  indicate  the  N.  A.  at  rhich  the  condenasr 
is  emplgyod.    Tbe  diameter  of  tbe  back  lens  is  5-8  inch. 

PRICE  COMPLETE   £3.15. 

APLANTIC  MAGNIFIERS* 

In  addition  to  W.  Watson  &  Sons'  well-known  regular  aeries  they  are 
working  Mr.  E.  M.  Nelson's  new  form,  magnifying  15  diameters,  which  givea 
great  working  distance  and  Uirge  aperture.  It  is  believed  to  be  unequalled 
by  any  similar  lens  for  qualities. 

PRICE! — in  German  silver  mount,  pocket  form  15.6. 
FV>r  dissecting,  inr  wooden  box  14.6. 

The  above  catalogue  will  be  mailed  post-Aree  on  i^pUeation. 
MICROSCOPIC  OBJECTS. 

Watsou  &  Sons  hold  a  stock  of  40,000  specimena  all  of  the  highest  class, 
forminjT  andoubtedly  the  finest  collection  in  the  world.  Full  classified  liat 
forward  pont-free  on  application  to 

ifl£.  iA^ATSON  St  SONS 

(ESTABLISHED  1837) 
OPTICIANS  TO  H.  M.  GOVERNMENT. 
313  High  Holborn,  London,  W.  C;  and  78  Swanston  Street,   Melbourne, 

Australia. 
Awarded  38  Gold  and  other  medals  at  Intemational|Exhibition8  inoludlnf 
5  Highest  Awards  at  the  World's  Pair,  Chicago,  1893.    2  Gold  Medals,  Pivto 
Universal  Exhibition  1889  &c,  Ac. 
NOTE — The  postage  on  letten  to  England  is  6  cents,  or  postal  oarda  2  < 


Digitized  by 


Google 


WANT,  SALE  AND  EXCHANGE  NOTiCES. 


FOR  SALE.  —First  class  Botanical  moante,  25  centA.  Send  for  list ;  also 
wiU  exchauge.  I.  PERCY  BLACKMAN,  Sandy  Hook,  Coon. 

FOR  SALE.— ToUea  1-10  objective,  1.42  N  A,  one  of  his  latest  and  beat. 
Also  l-pl2  Powell  A  Leland  apocbromatic  objective,  1.40  N.  A,  new. 

C.  E.  BLAKE  &  CO.,  Adams  Express  Bldg.,  Chicago,  111. 

READ  the  nice  stories  in  Lippinoott's  Monthly  Magaadne.  Yoa  can  sare 
50  cents,  (dob  rate)  by  snbsciibing  for  Lippincott  throng  as. 

MICROSCOPICAL  PUB.  CO. 

FOR  SALE. — Nice!  V  mounted  slides  wf  Rhinoceros  horn,  at  40  cents  each. 
'  H.  H.  DAVISON,  41  Saraner  St.,  Paotncket,  R.  L 

FOR  SALE— Pritchard'a  Infnsoria  (latest  edition,  colored  plates) and 
Smith's  British  Diatomaceae  (2  vols.,  ancot).  These  works  are  very  scarce 
and  i-an  only  be  got,as  in  this  case,  when  a  niicrotomist  finishes  using  them. 
f*rice  |;60.  No  Sig.,  Care  C.  W.  SMILEY. 

FOR  EXCHAN(tE.— The  Mnseom  of  Hamline  University  desires  to  ex- 
change Atlantic  JSiiellH,  preserved  specimens  of  Marine  Zoology  of  microscopic 
slip  slides  for  zoological  specimens  especially  Rodents  in  the  flesh  iVom 
Southwestern  United  States.     Correspondence  solicited. 

HENRY  L.  OSBORN,  Hamline  Univ.,  8t  Paul,  Minnesota. 

ARRANGED  DIATOMS.  I  fhrnish  the  most  artistitic  arrangements  of 
diatoms  in  slides  at  $5.00  each.  Yonr  name  can  be  made  fit>m  dififereot 
species.  Roosters,  hen  and  chickens,  and  bonqnetsof  floweisin  batteiAy 
scales  and  diatoms  from  $5i00.     Refer  to  the  Editor  of  this  JonmaL 


Speeialtiei 


KING'S  CEMENTS  ^^•''^"^^^•riheywiii^^tt, 

KING'S  GLYCERINE  JELLY  is  unsurpassed. 
THE  KING  MICROTOME  is  the  best  for  botanical  work. 

Stfid  for  nUl  IM  of  ■p60lam«ii 

J.    D.    KING,    Cottage   City,    Mass. 
INVERTEBRATE  DISSECTIONS. 

Second  Edition ;  Reviaed  and  Greatly  Etdarged, 
DESIGNED  to  suit  the  requirements  of  liigh  echoed  or  oolleae,  or  to  gnide 
any  who  may  desire  to  poisue  an  elementary  course  of  practical  or  theoretical 
invertebrate  zoology.  It  contains  working  directions  for  the  study  of  fiH^ 
types,  from  all  classes  and  orders  of  Invertebrates,  attention  being  chiefly 
called  to  common  and  easily  obtained  forms ;  notes  on  habits  and  okodes  of 
capture,  and  items  to  observe  on  living  animals  ;  bibliographical  reference  to 
some  of  the  most  accessible  literature  of  each  group  :  and  a  synopticaJ  table 
of  the  eniii«  animal  kingdom  summarizing  all  the  pnyla,  dassss  and  orders, 
thus  making  the  book  a  compend  of  Elementary  Inyertebrate  Zoology. 

Hvo;  heavy  paper  covers;  64  pages  ;  price  75  cents.  Special  rates  for  schoola 
Sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price.  Circulars  and  sample  pages  fhinished  on 
application  to  author. 

Hknry  L.  Osborn, 

Hamline  University ^  St.  Paul^  Mimm. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


W.  WATSON  &  SONS' 

m  GRAND  MODEL  YAN  HEURGK  MICROSCOPE 


FOR  HIQH  POWER  WORK  AND  PHOTO  MICROGRAPHY. 


in 

:ly 

of 
ta- 
k- 
en 


is 
of 


Digitized  by 


Google 


CARL  EEICHEET 
MICROSCOPES. 

SOLE  mm  FOR  UHITED  STATES. 

RICHARDS  &  CO..  LTD., 

NEWTOEK,  OmOAGO, 

41  Bartiai^Streel.      lOUiie  Street. 

IBmsm  FreparaUon!!  Ms^H  tie  linnte  Stnctini 
of  TenetaUe  Life. 

Being  enclosed  in  a  novel  transparent  envelope,  these  objects  may 
be  examined  without  removal  before  mounting.  They  are  prepared 
with  the  utmost  care  by  WAi^TER  White,  England,  and  are  mostly 
stained  in  one  or  two  colors  of  the  most  permanent  character. 

A  friend  says :  The  sample  section  is  exquisite.  It  is  so  good 
that  I  want  more.  As  a  well -cut  and  well-stained  section  it  is 
equal  to  anything  I  have  seen  in  that  line. 

PRICKS. 

Catalogue  of  172  objects,  ...  |o.02 

Single  specimens,      -  -  -  -  -  .08 

20  specimens,  assorted,  ...  i.oo 

CUA8.  W.  SMILEY,  WMhinrton,  I>.  G. 

SWEDEN  BORG 

is  not  only  a  theoloi^ian  ;  he  is  a  scientist  and  a  scientific  writer, 
whose  keenly  philosophical  analysis  of  phenomena  is  helpful  to 

Address 

ADOLPH  ROEDER, 

Vineland.  N.  J. 


FOR  SALE.— A  set  6f  slides  illnstrnting  the  Woody  Phmtfl  oflUiDOB, 
9.")  Cnonem.  H.  P.  MUNROE,  821  Jackson  Bonlevaid,  Chio^o,  UL 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Send  for  Art  Catalogue. 

rsagasraBsasagggasasasHsasasggMagn'in'fP'g'Taasi 
^  Light?      19  to  21  lbs. 

Strong  ?     Guaranteed. 
For  whom?     3(X>  pound  riders. 


KEATING  BICYCLES. 


^      Frame  sway?     No.     Why?     See  that  curve. 
In  Speedy?     Yes. 

JS  Why?     Long  chain. 

l£SEHSH5H5H55SB5a5SSB5a5S5B525H5H5B5955Sra5ES< 

26^  days  ahead  of  them  aH. 


Keating  Wheel  Co.,  Holyoke,  Mass. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


THE  FISK 

TRAGHRRS'  AQRNGIR8, 
EVERETT  O.  FISK  &  CO-.  Proprietors. 

President. 

Mwuun  O.  Fi«K,  ...  4  Aahborton  P1m»,  Botfeon,  Mtm, 

lAanasrers. 

W.  B.  HasmiOK,  4  Aihtertoa  PUoe,  Boftob,  W.  D.  Kbkk,  70  fifth  Aranae,  N«w  Toik, 


Mn.  8.  D.  Tbvbmovo,  1212   Twelftti  8t^  P.y.BvrMOOir,70Fiftti  ▲reniie.MewTork, 

MbioffloB^D.C.  H.T.    ^ 

A.  0.  >!•■«,  4  Aflhborton  Place,  BoaCon,  W.  O.  Pka^T*  70  Fifth  ▲▼nuie.  New  Toik, 


O.Vni 

MAiniA  HoAo,  4  AahbartoD  Pkiee,  Boaton,  L.  B.  HALasr^SJ^  Wabaab  ATanne,  Chicago, 

Maaa.  Ill,  \ 

HiLtNO.  Ba«bb,  4  AahbnrtDB  Plaoa,  Boa-  J.  D.  Ekolb,  Can^inL  ^'^^i^'  Minnaapo- 

ton.  Maafc  olla,  Minn.  ^»^ 

W.   O.    McrrAOOAEt,    86    King  St,   Waat  Mbi.  K.  Dowuko    Ehm»l  O^tol  ^^ 

Toronto,  Chnada.  Mlnnaapolla,  Minn.  A 

B.  B.  Obooku,70  fifth  ATonna,  New  York,  0.  0.  Bothton.  laoU  Bo.  flpdiPS  ^*  ^^'>^ 

V.Y,  Angalaa,  Oal.  X 

Sand  to  anj  of  the  abora  agenda*  for  100-page  Agency  Manoal.    Gorreapondenoa  Wl^th 
ployera  la  InTltad.    Beglatratlon  forma  aant  to  taaehers  on  application.  \. 

ZEISS  MICROSCOPES. 

The*  Carl  Zeiss  Optical  Works  in  Jeoa 


Are  recognized  in  Europe  as  the  leading  manufacturers  of  Stands  and 
Objectives.  They  have  issued  a  new  Catalogue  for  1895,  containing  a 
description  oflTaumberoTne^raccSsoHesano^r^  which  I  am 

enabled  to  import  at  lowest  rates.  Orders  for  colleges  and  institutions 
filled  prompty,  duty  free.  New  Catalogues  forwarded  on  application^ 
against  20  cents  in  postage  stamps. 

F.  J.  EMMERICH,  Sr.,  Agent, 

74  Murray  St.,  New  York,  N.  Y. 


OPTICIAN. 
209  South  Uth  Street,   Philadelphia. 


HISTOLOGICAL   MICROSCOPES  $65. 


STXTDENTS'  MICROSCOPES,  $38  to  $46,  Complete. 

MICROMETER  RULINGS,   A  SPECIALTY. 


IIXV8T]tATBI>  CATALOOUB  ON  APPLICATION. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


OR 

IHontlila  Oournal  of  (geology: 

WITH  WHICH  IS  INCORPORATEP 

'THE    OEOLOOI3T.'' 

BDITKD  BY 

HENRY  WOODWARD,  LL.D.,  F.  R.  a ,  PresG.  S  ,  F.  Z.  S.,  F.  R.  M.  S. 

OP  THE  BRITISH  MUSEITM  OP  NATURAI.  HISTORY  ; 

ASSISTED  BY 

ROBERT  ETHERIDGE,  F.  R.  S.  L.  &  E.,  F.  G.  S.,  F.  C.  S  ,  &c. 

WILFRID  H.  HUDLESTON,  M.  A.,  F.  R.  S.,  F.  G.  S  ,  F.  L.  S.,  F.  C.  S 

GEORGE  J.  HINDRE,  Ph.D.,  V.  P.  G.  vS.,  &c. 

AND 

HORACE  BOLINGBOKE  WOODWARD,  F.  G.  S. 


The  NEW  SERIES.    Decade  IV.    Vol.  II.No.  1—4. 
Jan.-    April,  1895,  NOW  READY. 

PUBLISHED   BY 

MESSRS.    DULAU    &   CO., 

37  SOHOSaUARE,  LONDON,  W. 

It  is  earnestly  reqaested  that  Sabscriptions  may  be  sent  to  Dulau  and 
Co.  in  advance.  SabscribeTS  oflSs.  for  the  year  will  receive  the  Magazine, 
Poet-free,  direct  on  the  1st  of  each  Month.    Single  copies  I5.  6<2.  each. 


All  Oommmiicatioiis  for  this  Magazine  should  be 
addressed  to  the  Editor  of  the  Geological  Magazine, 

129  BEAUFORT  STREET,  CHELSEA, 

LONDON,  S.  W. 

Books  and  specimens  may  in  future  be  addressed  to  the  Editor,  care  of 

M£SSBS.  DULAU  d;  00.,  37  Soho  Sqnve,  London,  W. 


Digitized  by 


Google  J 


Special 
Announcement 


J  1    I  hmw  twen  bui 


-  IN  - 


MICROSCOPY. 


frvm  Ufa*  BMk* 
lBClnslT«r 

TiM 

1.  Oolony  of  th«  IotaIj  B*dlolarf»B  4»A«ro- 

•o««,  ■bowing  iwrMltic  «!(».  40o 

1.  The  loToly  Zoophyte  OMte,  polyiM  ftiUy 


nako  pUlD  all  detaiU. 

I  SatMcriptloa,  •6.S5,  post-flk^e.    Toll  pnwpectiM 

!•  fbUowiBg  aro  mmomg  thoBUdaa  ladodod  in  ^  Seri«* 


bu^prHMriM 
■dnorelolilMli 
for  Mieroabopical  purpoaes,  and 
have  arrangod  Ibom  aa  a»iir  in 
niMtraCMl  8erie«* 

Tha  int  or  thoM  la  tbo  Ml- 
er<Mo«ploal  Siadlea  to  M*- 
rto«  Zoology. 

Tha  a«xmd  SMiai  (ria.:  that 
for  1896)  oonaiata  of  14  ■plendid 
piraparationa,  all  of  tha  higfacat 
powtbia  azoellanca  and  guarantead 
pannanaot.  Tha  14  ■lldtf  appaar 
la  qnartarly  inatallmanti,  and  art 
•ODoopaniad  br  orar  lOO  F^MTM 
of  doseripilyo  letlerproa*, 
daaliag  in  pltaaant  bat  azact  man- 
nar  with  tha  anatomy,  llfe-hiatory 
and  habits  of  tha  rcapecttva  anb- 
jacta,  whila  IS  faU-pii«e  ptotoa 
of  photo-oDgraTtngs,  ar»wm 


li  Stalkad^laga  o#   tha  larva   of   Btmj 

raatharBttf(«nlMion) 
4.  An  antira  8aa.  Battarfly  (Pliropod). 
6.  LoTaly  aspandad  Zoophyta  %«eor|rM. 


86e 

40c 
40c 

40e 


:tQa  on  i4>plicattoB. 

6.  Lovaly  Kxpandad  Zoophyta  Smittlaria 
T.*  OpoaraoMbrii       -    '^    -      • 


QOc 


irimp  JfyM,  allowing  a«di- 
tory  organ  in  tail  S8c 

8.  Tha  fplaodid  vara  orgaa-pipo  P^otywon, 

Liektmopttra  40c 

9.  Xntira  larral  Plaloa,  ay«  Jnat  turning 

finon  blind  aida  and  6  othar  aqnally 
llnatlidaa.  60c 


rfcal  praparatlona  of  BrasUton  Llanaa.— 1  hava 
I  in  obtaining  a  maatity  of  tha«a  noperb  •tamwi  tha 
tt>a  wbola  plant  kiagdoca'-aBd  bava  arran^td  tbam 


Tha  prieat  agaimt  aach  ara  thoaa  at  wbiah  tha  praparations  are  aoM  saparataly,  ahow- 
tag  what  a  chaap  lot  I  offer  In  aariaa  at  19.86,  pott  ftaa.  A  faw  aati  of  Sariaa  1  atUl  availabla. 
|9.26«  poat  fraa.    Sample  Silda,  AOo..  poet  free. 

Prof.  J.  R.  Ainaworth  Davla,  UniTeraity  Oullega,  Abaryatwith,  writait  ** Allow  ma  to 
oongratnlata  yoo  on  tha  Tary  naaful  work  yua  ara  doing  by  tha  pablicatiun  of  lournal,  with 
•oeoiBpMiyiugilldaa,  which  ara  Motr  adhuublb. 

Saparb  microeoo|rfcal  praparatlona  of  BrasUtoii  Llanaa.— 1  hava 
been  nnfoftonato  i 

;  kyvaly  in 
intwoaalaof6aaoh,attfae'pricaoffl.39  par  aet,  or  $2  25  for  tha 
two.    Tha  aaoat  asquiaitaly  cfaaraiiQg  fllidaa  that  cunld  ponibly  ba 
imagined  for  exhibition  at  popular  gattieringa.    As  tha  qnantity  is 

■ vary  Umited.  I  am  ondUa  to  aaU  single  slides. 

J  MIorosooplcal  Stndloa  to  Botany.— In  answer  to  many  raqncals,  I  hare  ar- 
ranged 20  aagaMoant  praparatlona  in  a  sariaa  oa  aimihn'  llnaa  to  that  m  nartaa  aoology  da> 
acrlbad  abarak 

Tha  flrat  aeries  is  now  began  and  comprises  20  highsst>clasB  slides  (such  aa  aall  dngly 
at  S6o  to  35c  each),  lllastralad  by  deaoriptlTa  lattarpreas  and  90  spaelally  baantinil  photo-micro- 
grapha  of  the  secttons. 

Bubscriptions,  $9.26  only,  for  all,  a  sam  which  woold  be  cheap  for  tha  sariea  of  illna- 
tnktfoMalotta. 

Pruf.  J.  W.  Oarr,  UniTaraity  College,  Nottingham,  writaa :    "Toar  Botaaicat  SUdsa 
...  .,._     ^^^  *  ..     . 


aononipanyiug  slldsa,  which 

Botany. 


are  tha  moat  beautiful  I  hate  ever  seen. 

nboTV  II  D(^ : 

1.  Tr.  sec.  flower-bod  of  Uly 

i.    •*    **  do       of  Dandelion 

.1.  Longl  sec.   do       of      do 

4.         do  fhilt    oTTig 


the  following  ara  among  the  sUdea  already  isaaed  in 


I  Ktiarantee  the  porfeoOtfti 
a^lfcctlong  on  approval  to  approved  correapondents. 


26o  I  6.  Tr.  aac.  froit  of  Data  (splaadU) 

aoo       9     **    **   flower  of  AdkMiotete 

25c  I   7.  LongM.  sec.  doable  flower  of  Peony 

90c  I   8.  Leaf-fall  of  Sycamore 

all  my  mounta  and  will  be  plcaied  to  tend 


S6e 
80e 

26c 
26c 


A   g^eat  range  of  Miscellaoeoua  Zoological   and  Botanical  alidet  la  stock 


3  sUdea.   ao  cents  and 
larval 


at  mices  from  fi-ao  per  dozen 

Coat  of  MallliiK.    i  slide,   lo  cents  ;  a  slides,  is  cents  ; 
so  on     Large  parcels  by  express  at  very  cheap  rates. 

Sfiaolalitv.  Marine  S^oology  (especfally  to  expanded  Zoophytes  and 
staged,  and  plant  and  flower  anatomy. 

Tortna.  Remittance  by  P.  O.  O..  draft  on  I«ondon.  or  U.  8.  paper  currency,  the 
fbrmer  preferred.  If  wished.  Mr.  0.  W.  Smiley,  Washington,  D.  '.  will  hold  the 
amount  till  order  is  satisfactorily  executed.  Mr.  Smiley-  has  kindly  promised  to 
vouch  for  the  excellency  of  the  slides  and  will  give  references  to  U.  8.  Microacop- 
ists  who  have  been  well  satisfied  with  my  preparations. 

JAMES  HORNELL, 


Blolpfical  Sti^loa,  JTfrssr,  Mo^^oA 


Spadalist  in  MIeioaoopteal  Moaaltoc. 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


Digitized  by 


Google 


3  2044  106  231  020 


Di  3itized  by  VjOOQ IC 


Digitized  by 


Google