Abstract
LAMELLIBRANCHIA are difficult to narcotize and then to fix without subsequent contraction of the tissues. It has been found that propylene phenoxetol can be used with considerable success to narcotize a variety of lamellibranchs. Using Cardium edule, the procedure was as follows: 5 c.c. of propylene phenoxetol was shaken vigorously with 15–20 c.c. of sea-water to produce a fine emulsion which was added to a breffit of sea-water containing actively siphoning specimens. Within half an hour the animals were completely relaxed with the foot protruding between the gaping shell valves and could be fixed in this condition without causing any contraction of the tissues. Sections of material treated in this way show no deterioration of the tissues and no loss of staining properties. Furthermore, relaxed animals, if washed and placed in fresh sea-water, recover and appear to function normally.
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Gough, J., and Wentworth, J. E., J. Roy. Micr. Soc., 69, 231 (1949).
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OWEN, G. Use of Propylene Phenoxetol as a Relaxing Agent. Nature 175, 434 (1955). https://doi.org/10.1038/175434a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/175434a0
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