248 REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 



is then placed in the section-cutter, which is made on the principle 

 of the Rivet microtome, although much longer than the usual form 

 of the latter instrument, and somewhat modified in the details of 

 construction. Sections are then rapidly cut by moving the knife 

 forward and backward within proper limits, and the successive 

 sections of paraffin, which are square, adhere together by their 

 edges into a ribbon, which may grow to an indefinite length. It 

 is essential that the paraffin be of the proper consistency and at 

 the right temperature. Glass slides are now^ prepared by spreading 

 a thin layer of shellac dissolved in cresote on one surface, to 

 which the ribbons are now transferred, two or three being placed 

 parallel on each slide, so that the sections may be readily 

 examined in succession. By heating for a short time in a warm 

 oven, the sections become firmly attached to the slide, and may be 

 mounted in balsam with very little trouble. As a result of this 

 method of procedure a series of sections across the body of 

 Lingula, in which the arms were shown in section ^jrecisely as in 

 life, and in the stomach were remains of diatoms quite undisturbed 

 by the operation and preparation. (For other methods ^tcjoiinial 

 of Microscopy and Natural Science, Vol. II., p. 225.) 



I 



IRcporte ot ^ocictica. 



The Manchester Microscopical Society. 



From the Transactions and Annual Report of the Society for 

 1886, we learn that the names of 206 members are now on the 

 roll, that the books and slides in the reference library and cabinet 

 are freely used by the members, that the mounting section num- 

 bers 88 members, and that at the monthly meetings of this section 

 an average of about half the members are present. 



The volume before us, consisting of about 136 pages, contains 

 a portrait of the President, J. L. W. Miles, M.D., D.Sc, F.R.S., 

 F.R.M.S., etc.; his Presidential Address; a j^aper by A. J. 

 Doherty on the Staining of Animal and Vegetable Tissues, and 

 26 other papers of varying length on subjects of much interest to 

 the microscopist, together with a list of honorary, corresponding, 

 and ordinary members. 



