the purpose of a count. I have recently made myself another photograph of the same band which will perhaps serve to convince any who are still incredulous. I send paper prints enlarged from this photograph.* The lens used was the Powell and Lealand immersionth.

Very respectfully,

J. J. WOODWARD,

Assist.-Surgeon and Brevet Lt.-Col. U. S. Army.

PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.†

QUEKETT MICROSCOPICAL CLUB.‡

At the ordinary meeting of the Club, held at University College, April 22nd, Dr. R. Braithwaite, F.L.S., Vice-President, in the chair, a number of donations to the library and cabinet were announced, nine new members were elected, and five gentlemen were proposed for membership. A paper was read by Mr. N. E. Green, "On Ciliary Action in Infusoria," in which he detailed the results of numerous observations undertaken with a view to the discovery of the cause of the current observed immediately above the contraction of the neck. This was at length satisfactorily ascertained to be produced by a row of minute cilia situated just within the contraction, under what was termed the shoulder. The observations had been carefully verified, and the best means of rendering these cilia visible were minutely described. A cordial vote of thanks to the reader of the paper was unanimously carried, and a short discussion followed, in which Messrs. Curties, Gay, Green, Hainworth, White, and the Chairman took part. The Chairman announced to the meeting the formation of the Croydon Microscopical Society, and expressed a hope that its members might be able occasionally to unite with those of the Club in their fortnightly excursions. The Secretary understood that this would be done for the first time on May 14th, at Carshalton. The proceedings terminated as usual with a conversazione, at which interesting objects were exhibited by Messrs. Curties, Hainworth, Oxley, Quick, and White.

LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF MANCHESTER.

Annual meeting, April 19th, 1870. J. P. Joule, D.C.L., LL.D., F.R.S., &c., President, in the chair.-No papers of microscopical interest were read at this meeting.

*These may be seen [after August] at the R. M. Society's Rooms, King's College.-ED. M. M. J.

+ Secretaries of Societies will greatly oblige us by writing their reports legibly -especially by printing the technical terms thus: Hydra-and by "underlining words, such as specific names, which must be printed in italics. They will thus secure accuracy and enhance the value of their proceedings.-ED. M. M. J.

Report supplied by Mr. R. T. Lewis.

BRIGHTON AND SUSSEX NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

May 12th.-The President, Mr. T. H. Hennah, F.R.M.S., in the chair.

Mr. Wonfor reported on the success of the field excursion of the previous Saturday, and announced that Mr. H. Willett had invited the Society to pay him a visit at Findon in June.

The meeting being for the exhibition of specimens, Dr. Badcock exhibited a large piece of fossil wood recently brought from the island of Portland by his brother.

Mr. Penley laid on the table a copy of the first part of 'Flowering Plants of Tunbridge Wells,' by Dr. R. Deakin, in course of publication; and specimens of oak recently picked up at Tunbridge Wells, coloured green by a fungus, Helotium æruginosum, growing on it. This affords the green seen in Tunbridge Wells ware. Dr. Hallifax commented on the growth of this fungus, which he had raised from spores obtained from the infected oak. It was easy to trace the mycelious threads in their sections.

Mr. Wonfor remarked that this particular fungus growth was found in France and England wherever the Hastings sands cropped out, leading to the supposition that there was something peculiar in the chemical conditions of soil, &c.

The President exhibited a couple of specimens alive of the seamouse, Aphrodita hispida, dredged up off Brighton a few evenings before, and remarked on the hairs as microscopic objects.

Dr. Hallifax exhibited some very beautiful micro-photographs of his own taking, the most striking of which were,-injected stomach of owl, 40 diam., showing glandular structure; poison-bag of spider, showing poison fluid issuing from it-in putting on the covering glass in mounting some of the fluid was squeezed out; teeth of medicinal leech, 480 diam., in which the true nature of the teeth was shown; sections of proboscis of blow-fly-one transverse, the other verticalin which the rasping teeth situated on the central disc were very prominent; a curious spine of echinus, trachea of silkworm, and tongue of bee.

Mr. Dennant exhibited a bottle of the ooze obtained in the Porcupine' expedition, in lat. 47° 35' N., long. 12° 15' W., at a depth of 2435 feet; surface temperature, 65° 5' F.; bottom ditto, 36° 5′ F.; pressure, 457 atmospheres, or nearly three tons to square inch. The ooze was calcareous mud full of Globigerinæ and Foraminifera, and would be shared out among the members at the microscopical meeting.

Mr. Wonfor exhibited cluster cups on the dog-violet (Viola canina) and common nettle, an owl cast composed of the fur and bones of mice, eggs and cocoons of the Emperor moth (Saturnia Carpini), and forty-three males of the same moth attracted in two days at Polegate and Tilgate by one female: fifty had settled on the box containing her, of which forty-three were secured. He then read a paper on the power possessed by the females of some insects of attracting the males of the same species in large numbers and from long distances, This led to a very animated discussion.

Mr. Hennah announced that Mr. Peake had discovered a pygidium in the lace-wing fly (Chrysopa pera); this was believed to be an original discovery, and would be exhibited at the microscopical meeting.

Mr. Wonfor announced that the first meeting of the Microscopical Section would be held on Thursday, May 26th, when the President would give an inaugural address. It was hoped that members would bring microscopes and objects, and be prepared with contributions of slides for the Society's cabinet.

Microscopical Section.

May 26th.-The President, Mr. T. H. Hennah, F.R.M.S., in the chair.

This being the first meeting of the Section, Mr. Wonfor, Hon. Sec., stated the reasons for forming and objects sought to be done by the Section, and announced the receipt of eighteen slides from Mr. Hennah, six from Dr. Hallifax, and thirty-eight from himself, for the Society's cabinet, and urged on all the members to contribute.

Mr. Hennah then read a paper "On Systematic Recent Examination with Moderate Powers."

As a suggestive subject for consideration at the first meeting of our Section, I have to ask your attention to a few notes on Microscopical Examination, in its application to our objects as members of the Natural History Society. The limited time at our disposal obliges a rather special view; and I propose to take, as my text, "Systematic Recent Examination, with moderate powers," believing that, whether we regard the extension of our knowledge of Natural History, the success of this Section, or our own pleasure in microscopic study, it is alike indispensable. Most of the discoveries with the microscope have been made with instruments of moderate power and cost, and have resulted from patient, diligent observation. As we glance through the history of the microscope, we cannot avoid noticing how little has depended upon the instruments, and how much upon the method and perseverance of the men who have accumulated so vast an amount of information; and although the wonderful perfection of modern high powers, and, indeed, of the microscope generally, has undoubtedly increased both our means of research and the number of observers, the conclusion is forced upon us that as we use it—the microscope is almost a new sense, or a mere toy. I hope the growing tendency to the latter result may find no place amongst us. Pride in the possession of a fine instrument, and a consequent desire to exhibit its powers, often leads to the exclusive study of conventional test-objects, which, while it gives command to the microscope in a special way, and stimulates opticians to improvements, too frequently arrests original investigation. The ordinary work of the naturalist can, in the first instance, be better pursued with low than with high powers. Extreme nicety of preparation and elaborate illumination are not required with them, while the excellence of modern halfs and fifths is so great that appeals to higher powers are only occasionally needed. I would not at the same time underrate the importance of having a reserve of power, as some investigations cannot be carried on except under the

Journal, Aug. 1, 1870.

highest possible amplification. I wish simply to enter a protest against the loss of time involved in the employment of unsuitable means. Whether we use high or low powers we should-in original investigations-be on our guard against the unconscious tendency of the mind to make "the wish father to the thought;" and, although we cannot be altogether free from preconceived ideas, their influence should be limited to the suggestion of inquiry.

It is necessary for a just appreciation of our own work (and that of others) that we should be well acquainted with the literature of the microscope. It is, however, already so much scattered that it is difficult to ascertain the actual amount of knowledge on any given subject, and much time is wasted in investigations which should be but past steps in our progress. At the same time, we should not too readily accept authority on matters difficult of proof, as a false idea of the state of microscopical knowledge is frequently given and doubt arises as to our powers of observation or the instruments we are using. I may instance the structure of some of the diatom valves, which, although demonstrated nearly fifteen years ago, was, in consequence of the erroneous views of Griffiths, Wallich, and others, held still to be an open question until, only last year, the President of the Royal Microscopical Society announced his demonstration of their structure as a "New birth to the microscope." In making these remarks I wish to acknowledge fully the obligations we are under to men who have laboured so earnestly to our advantage; and in calling attention to exceptional error I am but endeavouring to provoke careful, original investigation amongst us in place of idle reliance on any authority. In the frequent intercourse of men engaged in a common pursuit,—such as it is the intention of this Section to promote, lies the best substitute for individual experience; the knowledge acquired by any should be available for all, and errors of solitary observation are soon corrected when brought to the test of criticism and comparison. Most conducive to a true knowledge of objects is their examination in a recent state, and an acquaintance with the appearance of ordinary things will be found much more valuable than the settlement of a diatom or podura question. In the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the parasites that plague us, and the very dust about us, there is a large field for investigation as a necessary preparation for other studies, which has also an interest of its own in a time when the President of the Board of Trade tells us that adulteration is but a form of trade competition. The poor Welsh impostor gave evidence of her fatal deception only a short time since, in the starch which the microscope discovered in her stomach; and many other instances might be adduced to recommend the study of common things. Our principal object, however, should be to inquire into the natural history of our own locality, the minute fauna of which has been but imperfectly examined. Our shore offers every inducement to extend research. The smaller Crustaceans are scarcely known amongst us, although two of the most curious and interesting-the Caprella and Ammothea-abound on the weed at Kemp Town and give promise of allied species of greater rarity as a reward for search. Acorn barnacles and shore crabs are instances of strange metamorphosis, as are also the polyps, of

which Laomedea obliqua and geniculata abound. The urn-shaped eggcases of Purpura lapillus and the riband-like strap of eggs of Doris tuberculata can generally be found to illustrate the extraordinary embryonic development of the mollusca; there is, in fact, scarcely a limit to the list of subjects waiting for examination. For full appreciation of minute structure comparison with permanent specimens is both necessary and interesting. They cannot, however, be seen under sufficiently varied conditions, and we may as well take an ancient Egyptian as a specimen man as trust exclusively to the mummies in balsam which fill our cabinets; we must, instead-as students of Nature-follow her home and watch her ways patiently, as far as we can. Nothing can be known of the protozoa, or rotatoria, unless we examine them in life. Cyclosis in vegetable cells must in like manner be seen in life to be seen at all. The generation of the cryptogams would be really hidden if the germination of their spores had not been a subject of unwearied attention. The structure of the Foraminifera was not demonstrated by Carpenter without systematic work.

(To be continued.)

BRISTOL MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.

April 27th, 1870. Mr. W. J. Fedden, President, in the chair.The minutes of the two preceding meetings were read and confirmed, and two new members were proposed for election.

Dr. H. E. Fripp then exhibited and described a series of anatomical preparations, chiefly illustrative of diseased conditions of the brain

tissues.

May 18th. Mr. W. J. Fedden, President, in the chair.—The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Two new members were elected, and three gentlemen were proposed as candidates to be balloted for at the next meeting.

Mr. T. H. Yabbicom, C.E., then read a paper "On Raphides."

Dr. H. E. Fripp exhibited and described a peculiar form of dissecting microscope made by Zeiss of Jena. The instrument possesses many peculiar advantages, and was much admired by those present. Mr. F. R. Martin also exhibited Mr. Browning's new portable microscope.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

Die zonula ciliaris von Dr. F. Merkel. Leipzig. Engelmann. Sur les Épines des Echinocidarites, par M. Ch. Des Moulins.

Bordeaux.

To Correspondents.-Owing to new arrangements, the Journal goes to press earlier than previously. Hence we have been unable to insert in the present number communications from Messrs. Wenham, Slack, and Dr. Pigott.