Zoological Society. 139 



be mentioned the Rev. Charles Clouson, Dr. Pollexfen, Miss Watt 

 of Skaill, and Mrs. Traill of Woodwick. It is interesting to find, 

 that the study of the Algae, which has been so highly honoured by 

 numbering among its most successful cultivators a Mrs. Griffiths and 

 a Miss Hill, still continues to be a favourite pursuit with our fair 

 countrywomen. 



The Museum also contains about 100 species of shells, and nume- 

 rous antiquarian and miscellaneous objects of interest. The number 

 of ordinary members in January 1839 was 118. 



We trust that such an instance of what may be done by enlisting 

 the poorer classes of society in the support of institutions of this 

 character will not be without its use, but that the inhabitants of the 

 towns of England will do for their poorer neighbours that which has 

 been already done with such distinguished success by the clergy and 

 other influential persons in the distant and stormy Orcades. 



We may add that the address of the Secretary of the Society is 

 the Rev. W. Stobbs, Stromness, Orkney. 



MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 



March 18, 1840.— Mr. Owen in the Chair. 

 A paper was read by Mr. Edwards " On the Structure and Affi- 

 nities of the Bacillarice of Ehrenberg." After commenting on the 

 Polygastric characters of these animalcules, the indestructible nature 

 of their siliceous coverings, and their mode of reproduction by spon- 

 taneous division, the author proceeded to discuss the merits of 

 those views, which have claimed for the Bacillarice, on the one hand 

 a place in the vegetable, and on the other a position in the animal 

 kingdom. The mixed nature of the phenomena exhibited by these 

 animalcules, which has also led some naturalists to consider them 

 as in one stage of their existence animals, and in another vege- 

 tables, furnish, according to the author, sufficient grounds for consi- 

 dering the Bacillarice as an osculant group, uniting the two great 

 kingdoms of nature. An interesting discussion followed on this sub- 

 ject, in which Dr. Lindley, Messrs. Quekett, Varley, the President, 

 and other Members took a part. 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



October 8, 1839.— The Rev. F. W. Hope in the Chair. 

 The following letter, addressed to the Chairman of the Scientific 

 Committee by John Gould, Esq., Corresponding Member, was read ; 

 it is dated Van Diemen's Land, Mav 10th, 1839:— 



" Although my present occupations will not permit me to send a 



L 2 



