An outline of the natural history of our shores / by Joseph Sinel with chapters on collecting and preserving marine specimens, methods of microscopic mounting, etc., and on the marine aquarium.

  • Sinel, Joseph, 1890-1975.
Date:
1906
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: An outline of the natural history of our shores / by Joseph Sinel with chapters on collecting and preserving marine specimens, methods of microscopic mounting, etc., and on the marine aquarium. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    325/372 (page 305)
    can be made by melting in a tin some paraffin wax, and adding to it, as it melts, about one-fourth its weight of pure indiarubber (old bicycle tyre is good). This can be warmed and applied as required. A good supply of methylated spirit. (There are two kinds of this : one which mixes with water to a clear solution, and one which does not, but gives a milky turbidity. It must be the first kind.) I mention methylated because it is cheap, but rectified spirit mixes with water without risk of turbidity. A bottle of Formalin (the ordinary commercial solution of forty per cent, formaldehyde). A solution of corrosive sublimate (perchloride of mercury) in water. This salt dissolves slowly and sparingly in water, but an excess should be in the bottom of the bottle, which can remain there, and water be added as the supply of solution is used up. A bottle of ether. Some card boxes of various sizes. Pins, forceps, scissors, knife, needle and thread, gummed labels. Now the work. Foraminifera.—These, being minute, will be dealt with in the chapter on microscopic methods. Sponges.—Those of which it is desired to make micro- scopic preparations will also be dealt with in the next chapter, but the specimens intended for the purpose must be taken special care of as soon as they are gathered. The best for study of histology are the small Calcispongia (see p. 19), say Sycon. One specimen will be ample for many slides, so select a nice clean one, and place it, pro tern, in a shallow dish in clear sea-water (it will keep alive for a day or so), for future treatment, as on page 319. If coarser sections of the larger sponges, just to show the spicules, etc., are desired, cut out suitable portions— u