Cobalt staining of Actinia equina nematocysts

Nematocysts of Actinia equina are stained black by incubation in 2% CoCl2 followed by an aqueous wash and H2S treatment. They are also stained positively by morin. Nematocysts isolated from the acrorhage were found to have a high concentration of calcium of which only 30% was "free." It is suggested that the high concentration of calcium in the nematocysts accounts for their staining by cobalt and morin. Cobalt staining offers a simple and effective technique for investigation of nemotocysts.