202 



markings were realities. Dr. Pigott could do much with high powers, but in 

 his own mind the doubt still remained as to what could really be done with 

 them. 



Dr. Pigott thought that, of course, everyone had a right to hold hia own 

 opinion ; but the question before them was not a matter for argument, but of 

 seeing. He had within the last two or three days hit upon a way of viewing 

 these objects, and if ever he saw a string of red currants, why he could see those 

 beads. It was very easy to test whether a body seen was spherical or not, for if 

 it was so a symmetrical shadow would be found on every side when it was 

 manipulated. He had shown these bodies to a number of persons— to a young 

 lady, and to a deaf and dumb man, who had never heard what they were, and 

 they both described them as beads. He had shown them to Mr. Bowman (who 

 was present in that room), and he could describe them. Of course, every gentle- 

 man, who has his own ideas, like a true John Bull, would be very slow to believe 

 in any new notions ; but if Mr. Mclntire would call upon him with any half- 

 dozen other gentlemen, he would put the matter to the test before tliem. 



Mr. Mclntire said he did not at all doubt that these appearances could be 

 shown, because he had seen them himself. 



The chair having been taken pro tern, by Dr. Matthews, 



The President read the second of his series of papers on " Plant Organiza- 

 tion," in which he treated of the origin and growth'of the plant cell, illustrating 

 the subject by a number of lithographed drawings, which were handed round for 

 the inspection of the members. 



A vote of thanks to Dr. Braithwaite for his paper was then unanimously 



Dr. Pigott wished to ask Dr. Braithwaite if he would not take up the subject 

 of spontaneous generation in connection with this subject ; he thought it would 

 be very interesting. 



Dr. Braithwaite said he had neither the time nor opportunity for following 

 out this subject ; he might, however, say that he was not a believer in spon- 

 taneous generation, and he thought that all the most recent researches in that 

 direction agreed in proving that it had no existence in facts. 



Mr. Ingpen thought that the greatest value of such a paper as Dr. Braith- 

 waite's would be in its educational character, inasmuch as it brought before 

 the club certain points which, from an educational point of view, it was 

 highly necessary should be well understood by all. He was very glad that 

 the subject had been brought before them in this form, and that the members 

 would be able to read it for themselves in their own journal, as a part only of 

 a series of similar papers. Dr. Braithwaite said this was really his object in 

 bringing forward the subject. 



Mr. James Smith exhibited to the meeting a neat form of paper sunhght 

 reflector which he had found very useful in obtaining a good and white reflected 

 light when working with the microscope in the day time. It was intended to 

 be hung in any convenient position in direct sunshine, and the mirror of the 

 instrument directed to\vards it. 



A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Smith for his communication. 



The Secretary read a letter which had been received by Mr. Golding from Mr. 

 Chantrell, of Liverpool, describing a series of observations recently carried on 

 in connection with the development of certain Infusoria in glass troughs con- 

 structed for the purpose. 



Mr. B. D. Jackson gave notice that at the next meeting he would propose a 



