40 



uncentring, but a pair of springs were supplied which, on being fixed, con- 

 verted it into an ordinary turntable. 



Mr. F. Enock described a new device for protecting objects mounted 

 in fluid from damage by external pressure. It consisted of a small 

 metallic ring of angular section (f~) which fitted closely round the outside 

 of the cell, and at the same time slightly overlapped the cover-glass, 

 entirely closing in the rim. When made good with cement it gave great 

 additional protection, and prevented the unsettling of the varnish and the 

 escape of the fluid medium, which so frequently occurred as a result of 

 careless handling. The metal rings would not greatly add to the cost of 

 mounting, as they could be obtained for about 3d. per dozen at most of the 

 opticians. 



Mr. Ingpen inquired if Mr. Enock particularly preferred gold-size as a 

 cement for fluid cells ? 



Mr. Enock said that sometimes he used dammar, and at others the ordi- 

 nary asphalt varnish, but thought that on the whole gold-size was best. 



The President thought the idea was a good one, but whilst he agreed with 

 what had been saii as to the difficulties of this kind of mounting, he thought 

 they should remember that glycerine would expand, and that unless they 

 used a cement which was to some extent elastic, they would be apt to get 

 the cells cracked. 



The thanks of the meeting were returned to Mr. Enock for his communi- 

 cation. 



Mr. W. H. King exhibited a specimen of the inflorescence of Monstera 

 deliciosa, and described by means of blackboard drawings the growth and 

 development of the plant. The plant from which the specimen had been 

 cut was growing in England, and the fruit, which was said to be very 

 luscious, ripened during the year following the appearance of the flower. 



Mr. J. G. Waller said he made the acquaintance of the fruit of this plant 

 at the dinner table in the course of last year, and could certainly say that 

 it was most delicious, the taste being somewhat between that of banana 

 and pine-apple. The seeds had been obtained, he believed, from South 

 America, and were given by a lady to a vine grower in Madeira, by whom 

 they were planted, and they throve so well there that the plant was now 

 found all over the island. The introduction was due to this lady's son, who 

 was a member of the Club. 



Mr. King, in reply to a question, said that the inflorescence bore a good 

 deal of resemblance to that of the common Arum, but both male and female 

 flowers were found on the same spadix. 



The thanks of the meeting were voted to Mr. King for his communica- 

 tion. 



Mr. J. D. Hardy described some observations which he had made upon 

 Stentor 2 )0 ^y mor l^ ms > from which he had no doubt as to its being a 

 further development of Stentor viridis ; his remarks upon the subject were 

 illustrated by black-board drawings. 



The President said a great deal might be done in this direction if they 

 had a good growing-slide, which would enable the development of an or- 



