The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-11-28

exasperating fresh water algas, because
its star shaped chloropIssts are possessed
to bend ana change form when insultsd
BY ordinary pres. rvatives, Uut even this
evanescent alaae after months OF formx-
lin treatment retains ITS dainty stars IN
natural shape and position. Vancheria
In fruit cladophna and chaetomvpha
beuo mo darker and brownish - rule,
hydrodictyon and cha-a faded to . whit
lsh shade and ulvH became almost white.
OF the red or brown marine aleae cersm-
iun, polysiphonia gracilaria, microcladis,
chords, dasya plocam ium the coloripg
matter, so far as l have tried, has faded
out rather more than that Of fresh. water
algae.
The chlorophyll Of the marine forms
seems also to 90 more quickly. Among
the fungi phallus, periza, agarious, lyco.
perdon have hardened and generally Kept
well but the liquid IN most cases has be-
come brownish: II Care Is taken to re-
imal matter that stick to the fungi the
color Of the liquid 10 not SO pronou oed,
still with the best Ut care, there ID more
scolorsti1n with those than with any
speci mems have tried. In regard to eli
these lower forms more experiments with
different strength Of solution and longer
range of time will probably produce bet.
ter results.
In preserving animals my most satis-
factory results haze been with naked
molluscs, sea anemones, rsnillae or sea
pansies, corals, nydroids, bugulas and
eponges.
OF course expected f>h and devil fish
to do as the books said they would, har-
den without getting shrunken and the
shiny covering Opaque, but l had more
doubt about hydroids buRulae and coral
keeping lifs.iike position and express
drop method. The results, however,
exceeded expectations. with very little
care the sea anemOne remained expanded,
the sea pansies kept all the polyps out
with vsntaclss extended; the polyps OF
the sea ian are ~ expanded a. In life,
gula that it has been made into a speci.
men. The purple color of the sea PAN
sizes has kept we'll. l merely left the sea
pansies (renillae)) in sea water till they
spread out comfortably then lifted them
quickly and dropped them into diluted
iormalln.
The purple OF aeolis has faded. after Q
year, and the yellow has become dirty
white, Dr.. Blum found that the yellow
color Of some flowers was kept, and DR..
Whitman found that the yellow in sala-
mandes faded. Il would be interesting
to note the different action of formslin
on sea purrles and yellows ana the same
colors in land animals and plants. The
color test so tar has not been satisfac-
tory, but l think the preservativs has not
had fair and careful enough trial.
With some care in selecting the right
proportion of iormalin, believe the col.
ors OF algae and delicate animals may be
retained.
When we cosider the xceedingly thin
walls of fresh water algae and the hope
less manner in which cell contents
mix up, shrink and lose all personal
identity under the action of various re-
spectacle aud time honored preservatives
% ID show such beautiful illustration
OF endosmonis when you don't want IT.
the good results OF formalin solutions
are something to be devoutly thankful
for.
As my aim was to preserve material In
quantity for large classes, did not take
the time to experiment on color preseF-
vation or the preparation of show spool.
mems. The perfect specimens secured
were incidental, in spite Uf hurry. and
their fine looks is promise OF great re-
suits for u season when more time can be
expended. Tho slow process OF adding
the preservative, diop by drop, to the sea,
or fresh water in which an animal Is at
home and comfortable till he is made
drunk" and finally fixed in death In a
natural pusa before ne has hint OF what
is taxing place, requires much time and
patience, but yields beautiful results.
Marine worms with far extended
branchiae and hybrids with delicate water
tentacles done to death BY this insidiOus
method look as natural as life and In
some cases more interesting, for the
squirm of the worm is not.
1t is impossible to estimate the ad-
vantages to the science teacher OF this new
material. winch is cheaper and far better
than alcohol. rcn
Large classes need never be in want of
material If the teacher has knowledge
and energy. With Jars of canned goods
one can be independent Of season and
locality. There 10 no excuse for normal
or high school classes. no matter where
the school may be situated, wanting type
forms of fresh water and marine animals
or plants. Those that cannot be dried
can se transported in formalin to any
part of the country. If a system OF ex:
change of specimens could De organized
between secondary schools It would make
the biological possibilities OF the country
nearly perfect.
OF course the biology teacher should
have good scientific education, for for
mAlin cannot do everything, but the ed.
ucation, plus formnlin. in the future will
leave very little to be desired.
MISS s. 2. MONKS.
Los Angeles.