PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 359" 



Dr. Gatenby thought that the problem of heredity was to be attacked 

 from the nucleus. It was probably true that in specialized forms there 

 might be a partial handing on of the hereditary functions of the nucleus 

 to certain inclusions of the cytoplasm, but he thought in the long run it 

 could be shown that the functions had been handed on by the nucleus 

 which was at the bottom of everything. 



The President proposed a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Hogben^ 

 which was carried by acclamation. 



A vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs. Hawksley and Sons for the 

 loan of microscopes. 



The business proceedings then terminated. 



REPORT OX THE COLLECTION OF METALLURGICAL 

 SPECIMENS RECENTLY PRESENTED TO THE 

 SOCIETY BY SIR ROBERT HADFIELD, Bart., F.R.S. 



By F. Iax G. Rawlixs. 



{Read November 19, 1919.) 



The primary purpose of this communication is to bi'ing to the notice of 

 Fellows a collection of Metallurgical Micro-specimens which Sir Robert 

 Hadfield has been good enough to give to the Society. The report will 

 deal with the matter in the following order :— 1. Early Suggestions. 

 2. The Collection Itself. 3. Description of the more important Micro- 

 Structures. 4. Preservation and Future Arrangements. 



When these have been explained and discussed Fellows will be in a 

 position to examine for themselves the selection of specimens from the 

 collection which is on view this evening. 



Before proceeding further I ought perhaps to mention that in June 

 last the Council honoured me by asking that I would undertake the 

 duty of curator of this collection. I assented with pleasure, so far 

 as the pressure of other work permitted, and this, I trust, explains my 

 presence here in this capacity to-night. 



1. Early Sugf/estions. — In the Autumn of last year, about the 

 beginning of the Session, a suggestion was made that this Society 

 might become a means of furthering interest, and perhaps research, in 

 metallography (i.e. the examination of prepared metal surfaces micro- 

 scopically) if some specimens could be obtained to act as a nucleus of a 

 collection which would be at the service of Fellows, in much the same 

 way as the Society's general collection of slides. It is hardly necessary 

 to point out that metal specimens cannot be purchased commercially, 

 as is the case with some other kinds of objects, nor can they be 

 prepared except by those who have the necessary appliances ; and the 

 number of persons so equipped is small. Taking account of these 

 considerations, in December 1918 a letter was sent to Sir Robert 

 Hadfield, pointing out our views upon the matter, and asking for his 



