On Mon, 28 Dec 1998, Hagerty, Marjorie A. wrote:

> Nothing has changed with the way we decalcify. We use formical 4 as a
> decalcifier. A general procedure that varies somewhat with individual
> specimens is to: put in formalin for 3 days, cut with saw and put back
> in formalin for 2 days, then put in formical 4 for 3-4 days.

   Is "formical 4" a secret mixture, or is its composition
   stated on the label? If it's secret it might have changed,
   and that could be the cause of your artifact.

   The chemicals used for decalcification are all cheap and
   easily obtained, and every textbook contains recipes and
   instructions. There is no need to buy bottles of unidentified
   and probably unduly expensive liquids. A textbook, even a
   big expensive one (rarely over $100) is a much better
   investment.

 John A. Kiernan,
 Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology,
 The University of Western Ontario,
 LONDON,  Canada  N6A 5C1