544 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



also how they were able to resist the effects of evaporation. 

 Mr. Scourfield, in replying, instanced that the eggs of such 

 minute creatures, and also adults, can become embedded and dry, 

 and remain for a long period in a condition of suspended anima- 

 tion. Also, that one species of Cyclops and Canthocampus form 

 a kind of cocoon. As to their distribution he could give no 

 information. 



Amongst other interesting exhibits was a specimen of Stephano- 

 ceros Eichornii a wonderful example of the art of mounting, by 

 Mr. C. F. Rousselet, Curator R.M.S. 



At the 503rd Ordinary Meeting of the Club, held on 

 December 22nd, the Vice-President, Prof. E. A. Minchin, M.A., 

 F.R.S., in the chair, the minutes of the meeting held on 

 November 24th were read and confirmed. 



Mr. Frederick Knott was balloted for and duly elected a 

 member of the Club. 



A vote of thanks was returned to Mr. C. F. Rousselet, Curator 

 R.M.S., for a valuable donation to the Cabinet of twenty-four 

 slides of Rotifera. 



Mr. J. Grundy read a communication from Mr. E. M. Nelson 

 of great interest to metallurgists. A slide was exhibited con- 

 sisting of a thin aluminium disc of about 1 mm. in diameter, such 

 as Mr. Morland uses when mounting selected diatoms, mounted 

 by itself. When placed under a |-in. or ^-in. objective, and 

 illuminated by one of the universal condensers, lamp and bull's- 

 eye, a strong top- illumination is obtained by reflex light from the 

 front lens. Mr. Nelson states that this idea may prove useful 

 for the examination of metals, as, instead of using a cubic | in. 

 for examination, if the end of a wire, say, 1*5 mm. thick and 

 2 mm. long, was polished and fastened on a slip, the metal might 

 be investigated probably quite as well as with a larger piece. 

 He further stated that this idea was by no means new, as it was 

 first expounded by Rainey sixty years ago, and later by Prof. 

 B. T. Lowne about 1888, and again more recently by J. W. 

 Gordon at the R.M.S. 



To those interested, the valuable description by Prof. Lowne on 

 top-lighting by reflections from the front and back of the front 

 lens of the objective will be found on p. 371, vol. iii., second 



