146 PEOCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 



structure of the Microscope or with Microscopic Optics. Brief bio- 

 graphical notices have also been given of two distinguished members 

 of the Society who have died during the past year — with one exception 

 the two oldest of our Honorary Fellows — Comte Abbe F. Castracane 

 and Dr. G. C. Wallich. A complete list is given of Dr. Wallich's 

 published contributions to scientific literature ; an account of Count 

 Castracane's very numerous papers on the structure and reproduction 

 of diatoms will be found elsewhere.* As a frontispiece we give a 

 reproduction of an admirable portrait of the late Mr. Hugh Powell. 



The editorial staff has agreed to continue to work on the same con- 

 ditions as have existed for the past three years. 



CABINET. 



Nine slides have been presented during the year : — One slide of Sec- 

 tions of Diatoms, from Mr. F. J. Keeley ; Six slides of Clionidee, from 

 Mr. Jas. Yate Johnson. Two slides of transverse sections of Stem 

 of Salix Wallichiana, from Mr. Frank Gleadow. 



The card index has been arranged, and it is available for the use of 

 Fellows wishing to refer to the collection ; everything known has been 

 recorded on each card, frequently more than is contained on the labels, 

 many of which, especially the older ones, are very defective. 



Those to whom the convenience of a card catalogue is unknown are 

 invited to examine it ; the system enables any slide to be found with 

 the minimum of trouble, and is well adapted to meet the wants of a 

 growing collection, alterations being made with ease and expedition. 



Although a full manuscript subject catalogue is a desideratum, there 

 will now be no occasion for undue haste ; the work must occupy con- 

 siderable time and be the work of many hands, and now the heaviest 

 part of the work lias been accomplished it is to be hoped that volunteers 

 will be found to assist in those subjects with which they are familiar ; 

 such aid will be gladly received by the Council. 



The slides existing at the time of the present revision have been 

 numbered consecutively, preceded by the initials " O.C." (old collection) ; 

 since that period the system advised by Prof. F. J. Bell, our late 

 Secretary, has been adopted. Each slide now bears a date as its 

 register mark. The advantage of this is obvious ; the slide itself, in the 

 absence of other records, furnishes the means of investigating its 

 history, and removes a difficulty only too well known during the work 

 on the old collection. 



The examination of the diatoms by Mr. T. Comber has been com- 

 pleted. Too much cannot be said in praise of his thorough investigation. 

 The results are embodied in the valuable notes appended to the list- 

 supplied to him. These papers have been bound and kept for reference, 

 and his notes have also been copied on to the cards. 



The valuable collection presented by the late Dr. G. C. Wallich has 

 not at present been completely examined. In addition to the slides, 

 some note-books and other manuscripts, and a volume of drawings, are in 

 the possession of the Society. The whole donation represents the life work 

 of our late Honorary Fellow. The aid of one of our Fellows acquainted 



* See La Nuova Notarisia for January 1900. — Ed. 



