Hoyer's Solution as a Rapid Permanent Mounting Medium for Bryophytes

Abstract

Hoyer's solution is a rapid permanent mounting medium which has been in general use for many years by entomologists and more especially acarologists. It has been found to be quite satisfactory for mounting small insects and mites, specimens of which have been preserved for more than twenty years at the U. S. National Museum without deterioration.2 It is also used extensively by mycologists who have employed it in making permanent whole mounts of fungi. Several years ago I mentioned the problem of making permanent mounts of mosses and liverworts to Dr. Leland Shanor, a distinguished mycologist of the University of Illinois, and he suggested that Hoyer's might prove satisfactory as a mounting medium for bryophytes. Since then the solution has been tested on a considerable variety of mosses and liverworts by myself as well as some of my colleagues and the results to date have been particularly encouraging. Inasmuch as I have seen no mention of Hoyer's solution in bryological literature it seems desirable to call attention to its usefulness for bryophytes. The formula for Hoyer's solution is as follows: Distilled water 50 cc. Gum arabic (U. S. P. Flake) 30 grams Chloral hydrate 200 grams Glycerin 20 cc.