NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 515 



rise to a discussion on parasitic disease ; in November, Dr. 

 Richardson read a paper on "Improved method of applying the 

 micro-spectroscopic test for blood stains," demonstrating its 

 application to a spot of blood only jj-^ of an inch in diameter; 

 and our present December gathering is marked by the valuable 

 article of Dr. Carl Seiler on "Microscopic Photography with 

 High powers," to which we have just listened with so much 

 interest. 



The greatest triumph of the year was of course the Annual 

 Exhibition of microscopes, microscopic specimens, and apparatus, 

 which was given in the Hall of the Academy on the 4th of Octo- 

 ber last. Under the chairmanship of Dr. J. L. LeConte, this dis- 

 play was eminently successful, and, being witnessed and appre- 

 ciated by a large audience of ladies and gentlemen, has doubtless 

 in some measure contributed to raise our parent Academy in 

 popular estimation. Indeed, I think that the obvious illustrations 

 under our microscopes at these Exhibitions, of every day uses to 

 which science is applied, constitute valuable means of convincing 

 the community at large that our labors, our objects, and our aims 

 in the study of the natural sciences, are practical and utilitarian ; 

 instead of being, as too many still believe, chiefly theoretical and 

 speculative. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



Jos. G. Richardson, Recorder. 



REPORT OF THE RECORDER OF THE 

 CONCHOLOGICAL SECTION. 



The Recorder of the Conchological Section reports that during 

 the year ending Dec. 21st, a number of donations to the museum 

 have been received, all of which have been labelled and arranged. 

 For list of these see the Report of the Curators of the Academy 

 of Natural Sciences. The marine shells of the Swift Collection, 

 which had been placed with Dr. 0. A. L. Morch, of Copenhagen, 

 for identification, have also been received, but, as there was no 

 room for them in the cases, they have not been unpacked. All 

 the alcoholic specimens of mollusks have been relabelled. 



For numerous additions to the Library see report of the Libra- 

 rian of the Academy. 



