185 



force air through the smaller tracheal vessels. Mr. Lowne published his belief 

 that the muscular movements of insects were a main cause of the respiratory 

 circulation in his work on the fly, and looked upon these sacs as a strong con- 

 firmation of his view. 



The proceedings terminated with a conversazione, at which the following ob- 

 jects were exhibited : — 



Pulex irritans (alive) by Mr. Furlonge. 



Paste Eels (alive) by Mr. J. F. Gibson. 



Foot of Water Spider by Mr. H. T. Gray. 



Pulex irritans by Mr. des Guimaraens. 



Section of Greegree by Mr. Jackson. 



Sections of Fossil Wood by Mr. J. E. Leifchild. 



Spores of Penicillium by Mr. Martinelli. 



Cuticle of Equisetum hyemale 



by Mr. J. W. Meacher. 



Scale of Eel 



Sting of Wasp 



Flea (Polar) 



Ova of Planorbis corneus by Mr. J. A. Smith. 



R. T. Lewis. 



THE SOIEEE. 



Friday Evening, March 17th, 1871. 



By kind permission of the Council of University College, the Annual Soiree of 

 the Club was again held in their commodious Library, Museum, and con- 

 tiguous rooms. The company began to arrive shortly before eight, and continued 

 to swell until nine, when others kept dropping in, till lovers of early hours be- 

 gan to retire. The Soiree this year was in no respect behind any of its prede- 

 cessors, except perhaps in one feature, which was universally regarded as an 

 advantage, that there was less crowding, accounted for by the number of tickets 

 being limited in issue to members, upon the principle of last year. The in- 

 terest manifested by the members, and the satisfaction exhibited by visitors of 

 both sexes, gave no sign of decadence. There was the same sturdy phalanx 

 of members who had their microscope, and something under it, and the same 

 smiling and blooming troop of female friends peeping anxiously down the hun- 

 dreds of brazen tubes erected for their delectation. The prophecy that these 

 "shows" would soon come to an end, which some crusty antiquarians have 

 been known to utter, seems as far distant as ever. Here at least was no evidence 

 that the era of Soirees is coming to a close. The Quekett Club seems resolved 

 not to be first to discontinue or slacken in their efforts to hold a "gala " once a 

 year. 



The following are some of the objects exhibited by members and friends in the 

 Library and Museum. Unfortunately this list is very imperfect, and by no means 

 represents all the objects exhibited. It is hoped that on future occasions exhi- 

 bitors will assist the Soiree Committee to obtain a more complete list. This 

 will not only be an advantage to the Club, an acquisition to the Journal, but also 

 a record for the convenience of members themselves. 



