A considerable variation in the size of modernCorylus avellanapollen mounted in silicone oil was noticed. It turned out that a residue of the silicone oil solvent (benzene) prevents shrinkage of the pollen grains, and that size-variations may be due to more or less incomplete evaporation of the solvent. Evaporation at 50[ddot]C is more effective than evaporation at room temperature. Diffusion of solvents from a plastic spatula and from the slide-sealing material may cause a swelling of the pollen. The size of pollen grains compressed by the cover slip may increase slightly due to deformation. Size changes with storage up to 17 years are random, compressed grains do not swell, and the average changes are insignificant. The size ofCoryluspollen from various modern collections is compared.