48 MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. 



lost their own eggy occupied the first nest they could find 

 with an egg in it. — Riippell : Travels in Abyssinia. 



Society for Microscopical Investigation. — A meeting was 

 held at the house of E. J. Quekett, Esq., Wellclose Square, 

 Sept. 3rd., 1839, to take into consideration the propriety of 

 forming a society for the promotion of microscopical investi- 

 gation, and for the introduction and improvement of the mi- 

 croscope, as a scientific instrument ; — The following gentle- 

 men were present : — Rev. J. T. Bean, Rev. J. B. Reade, Dr. 

 F. Farre, Messrs. Francis, Greening, Jackson, Lister, G. Lod- 

 diges, C. Loddiges, E. J. Quekett, Rippingham, Ross, R. H. 

 Solly, C. Varly, N. B. Ward, and A. White. It was "Re- 

 solved, that such a society should be formed ; that a provi- 

 sional committee be appointed to carry the resolution into 

 effect ; and that the said committee do consist of the under- 

 mentioned gentlemen; — Messrs. Bowerbank, Lister, Loddi- 

 ges, Quekett, Reade, Solly, and Ward." The provisional 

 committee, in accordance with the above resolution, having 

 prepared an outline of a constitution for the society, a meet- 

 ing was held at the Horticultural Society's rooms, Regent- 

 street, on Friday evening, the 20th instant. The meeting 

 was numerously attended. Professor Owen, F.R.S., &c., took 

 the chair, and was elected president ; after which, the treasu- 

 rer, N. B. Ward, Esq., the secretary. Dr. A. Farre, and the 

 council were appointed. The constitution prepared by the 

 provisional committee was unanimously adopted by the meet- 

 ing, and the president announced, that the future meetings 

 of the society would be held in the Horticultural Society's 

 rooms. The society will be designated the "Microscopical 

 Society." Its objects are, to promote improvements in the 

 optical and mechanical construction of microscopes ; the 

 reading and discussion of papers, upon new and interesting 

 subjects of microscopical enquiry ; the formation of a col- 

 lection of rare and valuable microscopical objects ; and of a 

 library of reference. At the close of the business of the 

 evening, upwards of fifty gentlemen joined the society. The 

 terms upon which members are admitted, are one guinea en- 

 trance, and a yearly subscription to the same amount. 



