Methods In Plant Histology (Paperback)

METHODS IN PLANT HISTOLOGY - PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION -This book has grown out of a course in histological technic conducted by the author at the University of Chicago. The course has also been taken by non-resident students through the Extension Division of the University. The Methods were published over a year ago as a series of articles in the Journal of Applied Microscopy, and have called out numerous letters of commendation, criticism, suggestion, and inquiry. The work has been thoroughly revised and enlarged by about one-half. It is hoped that the criticism and suggestion, and also the experience gained by contact with both resident and non-resident students, have made the directions so definite that they may be followed, not only by those who work in a class under the supervision of an instructor, but also by those who must work in their own homes without any such assistance. More space has been devoted to the paraffin method than to any other, because it has been proved to be better adapted to the needs of the botanist. The celloidin method, the glycerin method, and freehand sectioning are also described, and their advantages and disadvantages are pointed out. The first part of the book deals with the principles of king and staining, and the various other processes of microtechnic, while in the later chapters these principles are applied to specific cases. This occasions some repetition, but the mere presentation of general principles will not enable the beginner to make good mounts. The illustrations and notes in the later chapters are not intended to afford a study of general morphology, but they merely indicate to students with a limited knowledge of plant structures theprincipal v PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION The continued appreciation accorded to Methods in Plant Histology has exhausted the second edition. Since that edition appeared, methods have become more and more exact, so that the present volume is practically a new book. The general arrangement of the subject-matter, and directions for collecting material and for securing reproductive phases in the Algae and Fungi have been retained, and a chapter on Photomicrographs and Lantern Slides chap. xii his been added. Great improvements have been made . in the paraffin method, so that sections are easily cut which were impossible ten years ago, while ten years of added experience with the Venetian turpentine method have made it possible to describe it so definitely that even the beginner should find no serious difficulty. The author is deeply indebted to his colleague, Dr. TV. J. G. Land, for numerous suggestions and improvements covering the whole field of microtechnic. He is also greatly indebted to Dr. S. Yamanouchi for many improvements in the methods applicable to Algae and mitotic figures. Corrections and suggestions will be heartily appreciated. CHICAGO May, 1915 I. RT I PAGE CH. IPTER I1 . RE. IC. ESTS . . . . . . . . . 1 7 Killing and Fixing Ige lts . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Dehydrating - 1gcnts . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Formulae for, l lcohols . . . . . . . . . . 33 Clearing- gents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 1Iisccllaneous Iieagerlt s . . . . ...