28 



Mr. Hartog said that the manipulation was extremely difficult, and only 

 to be attained by practice ; he only held the object with one needle whilst 

 he worked with the other. 



Mr. Ingpen said he could corroborate what had been said as to the value 

 of the lancet-shaped needles for purposes of dissection. They were diffi- 

 cult to get here of exactly the shape, and he generally had to get them 

 ground from " eye-knives." 



Mr. Hartog said he had been informed that it was possible to examine 

 even a dried specimen by soaking it in water, and afterwards plunging it 

 into alcohol. 



The Chairman thought the question of holding objects during manipula- 

 tion was one of very great importance. He had seen sections of fungi 

 growing on a leaf, and could not imagine how such beautiful sections were 

 produced — showing perfectly the shape of the cups. He should be glad if 

 any one could tell him how they were made. 



Mr. T. C. White said he had some little experience in insect dissection, 

 and there were a great many small specimens which were not capable of 

 being pinned down, and for holding which he had made a composition of 

 Canada balsam and bee's wax, which held them perfectly, and did not 

 dissolve under water. It seemed to him that perhaps this might be useful 

 for the purpose of holding the vegetable specimens, and thus enabling the 

 operator to use both hands freely. 



The Chairman thought that a vegetable tissue would not be so firmly held 

 in such a medium as was necessary. 



The Chairman announced that at their next Gossip night Mr. T. C. White 

 had undertaken to give a viva voce account of the mysteries of balsam 

 mounting. 



The proceedings then terminated with a conversazione, at which the 



following objects were exhibited: — 



Mole Flea (eyeless) ... ... ... Mr. F. W. Andrew. 



Stained Filmy Fern (Hymenovhyllum Tun-~) __ _ TT _ W1 



J v y r * \ Mr. T. H. Buffham. 



bridgense) ... ... ... ) 



Scaled Spider (from Ceylon) ... ... Mr. Curties. 



Rabbit Flea ... ... ... ... Mr. F. Enock. 



Mandibles of Scorpion ... ... ... Mr. H. R. Gregory. 



Kidney of Pig ... ... ... Mr. J. J. Hunter. 



Melicerta, Stephanoceros, &c. (fromHampO 



i 



Mr. Le Pelley. 



StGcLCi J ••• ••* ••• 



Alpine Beetles (Batrisus formicarius) ... Mr. R. T. Lewis. 

 Colorado Beetle ... ... ... Mr. Moginie. 



Eydoida sertularia ... ... ... Mr. T. S. Morten. 



Aulacodiscus ancenus (from Moron) ... Mr. T. H. Powell. 



Attendance — Members, 39; Visitors, 7. 



