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or for sport on the gravelly bottom, or to bask in the sun. Presently 

 others come out from out from their hiding places and a shoal of fish 

 gather, which disappear as if by magic when a shadow is cast on the 

 surface or a concussion by sound affects the water. Their habits and 

 their pastimes (for fish apparently indulge in these) are very interesting. 

 Chasing each other, darting to and fro, grubbing up the sand, rubbing 

 against each other, and nest building (amongst some species) afford 

 plenty of room for observation. Besides fish, other life is plentiful and 

 affords scope for curiosity. It is astonishing what pleasure can be got 

 out of even a shallow pool ; and the writer hopes that calling attention 

 to this will be the means of offering a new attraction in his brother- 

 naturalists' outings. 



H. B. Small, Ottawa, Canada. 



MICROSCOPICAL SOIREE. 



The winter course of lectures was opened by a very pleasant even- 

 ing in the Convocation Hall of the Normal School, for the use of which 

 the Club is indebted to Dr. McCabe. Arrangements had been made 

 by the Soiree Committee, to illustrate, by a number of fine microscopes, 

 some specially selected objects of interest. The President, Dr. Dawson, 

 opened the meeting by a suitable address, and touched briefly on the 

 present position of the club and the work it was performing. Prof. 

 Saunders followed by a concise and interesting account of " A Grain of 

 Wheat," giving a synopsis of the history, growth and structure of this 

 very important seed. Prof. Prince introduced the subject of Zoology, 

 and made some observations upon the development of the brain, 

 especially in connection with that of fishes. At the close of these brief 

 addresses, meant only to introduce the subjects which had been chosen 

 for illustration by slides, an hour was pleasantly devoted to gazing upon 

 the wonders revealed by the various microscopes. Besides the illustra- 

 tions presided over by Prof. Saunders and Prof. Prince, the subject of 

 entomology was taken up by Prof. Whiteaves, ami was illustrated by a 

 large series of preparations. The thanks of the Club were tendered to 

 Mr. W. Scott, who kindly installed, for the illumination of the micros- 

 copes, a beautiful line of electric lamps. Ed. 



