QUEKETT MICROSCOPICAL CLUB. 419 



Microspores and Megaspores reproductive organs resembling 

 those of modern Lycopods were clearly evident. No. 8. Plant 

 remains of a similar character. No. 9. A number of Fern 

 sporangia, showing the annulus, etc., embedded in a matrix of 

 fragmentary plant remains. No. 10. A section showing the 

 seeds of Cordaites : a genus of fossil-plants allied to some of the 

 recent Gymnosperms. 



The chairman remarked on the very beautiful series of micro- 

 scopical slides, and on the hand specimens on the table, and pro- 

 posed a vote of thanks to Mr. Watson Baker, which was responded 

 to heartily. 



The Hon. Secretary read a letter from Dr. M. C. Cooke, and 

 extracts from others received from Alphaeus Smith, Albert D. 

 Michael and G. 0. Karrop, who were unable to be present, con- 

 gratulating the Club on its continued prosperity, and wishing 

 it all success in the future. These were received with much 

 appreciation by the meeting. 



The chairman then gave a short resume of the history of the 

 Club. He said that though named in honour of the celebrated 

 Dr. Quekett, it was not founded by him, originating four or five 

 years after his death. It was considered by a Mr. Gibson that 

 an association of amateur microscopists was desirable, and he put 

 an announcement into Hardwicke's Science Gossip to that effect. 

 The idea at first seemed to be to combine music and microscopy 

 at the evening meetings. The suggestion was rapidly and 

 enthusiastically taken up, and in July 1865 the Club was 

 definitelv started. Soon the meetings came to be held at 

 University College ; but it is curious to note that some of the 

 preliminary ones were held in Hanover Square, so that, again 

 occupying rooms in Hanover Square, the Club has returned to 

 its old locality. Among the very earliest members Mr. Lewis's 

 name appears. He was elected in April 1866 forty-eight years 

 ago, and has held the position of honorary reporter from the 

 very early years of the Club. He has attended 485 out of 

 the 500 ordinary meetings almost certainly a record and 

 several of the omissions occurred only this last winter, owing 

 to illness and advancing years. Another very old member is 

 Mr. Alphaeus Smith, who held the post of hon. librarian 

 for forty years, and is still a member, though not on the active 

 list. Dr. M. C. Cooke, Mr. J. Terry, Mr. T. H. Powell, and 



