Remarks on the best methods of displaying Entozoa in museums / by T. Spencer Cobbold, M.D.

  • Cobbold, T. Spencer (Thomas Spencer), 1828-1886.
Date:
[cbetween 1800 and 1899?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on the best methods of displaying Entozoa in museums / by T. Spencer Cobbold, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    that their position should be made to correspond with the atti- tudes which they assume in nature. 2. In the case of Hydatids, and in instances where it is desired to show a large mass of parasites, I have occasionally reversed the above method. Thus, in place of a vertically disposed sheet of mica, I introduce a circular diaphragm of the same substance, its diameter slightly exceeding the width of the jar. The mica should be stout; otherwise the weight of the spirit (on the jar being moved or carelessly inverted) will be sure to displace the diaphragm. It should be carried about two-thirds of the way down the bottle, and be fixed in an obliquely transverse position. The speci- mens are thus suitably displayed at or near the centre of the vessel. It is unnecessary to fix them to the mica; but, if desired, they may be retained in their place by a second or superimposed diaphragm. Ordinarily this is not advisable. 3. Where the parasites are very minute, yet still sufficiently visible to the naked eye to be worthy of museum display, a thin, square, oblong or circular plate of mica may be applied and fixed to the vertical sheet, including the objects after the fashion of ordinary microscopic preparations. This seemingly simple me- thod, however, required great care and patience; for, in place of using cement, it is necessary to fix the two mica plates together by means of fine thread. In doing this the operator is liable to dis- place or distort the specimens ; but when once accomplished with- out disturbance, there is no fear of subsequent injury. This me- thod is eminently suitable for the display of Oxyurides, Sphseru- lariae, and other minute Nematodes, which in our pathological collections are usually seen lying at the bottom of the vessels enclosing them. In some instances, as obtains in the British Museum, I have seen the specimens enclosed in a second vessel or glass tube, the one swinging within the other in a very slovenly manner*. I. In certain cases where none of the above-described methods are altogether satisfactory, I have introduced another plan which I am particularly desirous of bringing under the Society’s notice. * The Entozoa within our national collection are both numerous and valu- able. At present, however, the bottles containing them are lodged within a glass case, the latter being itself placed in a dark passage leading to the so- called “ insect-room.” The specimens have been skilfully catalogued; but, for want of space, they are huddled together without any definite or systematic arrangement. For the furtherance of the interests of science they are practically unavailable. It is earnestly hoped that Dr. Baird’s efforts to secure a proper apartment for their exhibition may yet meet with success.—T. S. C.