PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 781 



Mr. C. D. Soar then exhibited upon the screen a large number of 

 drawings of freshwater mites, and gave a brief explanation of the 

 special characters of each as they were shown. Many of the original 

 specimens from which the drawings were made were exhibited under 

 Microscopes in the room. 



The President, in moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Soar, expressed 

 the pleasure which the exhibition had afforded him from the admirable 

 way in which the drawings had been shown and for the care and skill 

 which was displayed in their production. It was a matter for hearty 

 congratulation, which he was sure would be cordially offered by members 

 to the author. The Society was greatly indebted to Mr. Soar, not only 

 for showing them the drawings and explaining them, but also for the 

 exhibition of so many beautiful specimens of Hydrachnea under the 

 Microscopes upon the table. 



The thanks of the Meeting were then unanimously voted to Mr. Soar 

 for his demonstration. 



Mr. Wesche said he had been much struck during the exhibition of 

 Mr. Soar's drawings by the large number of secondary sexual peculiarities 

 which seemed to exist. He had been under the impression that in 

 most cases these were confined to the neighbourhood of the rostrum, as 

 in the Ticks, but should be glad to hear from Mr. Soar what was the 

 meaning given to the term " genital area," which had been frequently 

 used, and what was the relationship between the " genital area " of the 

 male and that of the female. 



Mr. Soar said he did not know that the rostrum was concerned in 

 the act of fertilisation, but he had observed that the third pair of feet 

 had been locked in the genital opening of the male, from which they 

 had dragged out a ball and forced this into the orifice of the female. 

 He perhaps ought to have said the " so-called " genital areas, because he 

 believed that there was no actual contact between these at the time of 

 fertilisation. 



The Secretary read a letter from the Croydon Microscopical Society 

 intimating that their Annual Soiree would take place on November 18th, 

 and asking the help of any Fellows of the Royal Microscopical Society 

 who would assist them by exhibiting with their Microscopes on that 

 occasion. 



The following Instruments, Objects, &c, were exhibited : — 



The Society : — A Microscope, by Negretti and Zambra, formerly 

 belonging to the late Mr. James Glaisher. 



Mr. J. W. Gordon : — -Photomicrographs of Pleurosifima angulatum. 



Mr. J. D. Soar : — About fifty drawings of British Hydrachnea, pro- 

 jected on the screen by the Epidiascope. 



Mr. Hy. Taverner : — The following slides of British Hydrachnea : 

 Arrhetiurus ornatus $ ; Atax intermedins £ ? ; A. Taverneri ? ; A. 

 ypsilophorus ? ; Diplodontus despiciens ; Hydryphantes dispar ; Liinnesia 

 maculator 6 9 ; Piona carneus 6 ; P.fnscatiis ? ; Wettina macroplka. 



Mr. F. W. Watson Baker : — A New Attachable Mechanical Stage, 

 made by Messrs. Watson & Sons. 



Dec. 16th, 190S 3 e 



