254 American Quarterly Microscopical Joiirnal. 



Miss Beattie spoke for nearly an hour on Bacteria. She gave, some- 

 what in detail, the present state of the discussion in reference to 

 spontaneous generation — the experiments performed, and deductions 

 drawn; also as to their nature, plant or animal ; their connection with 

 putrefaction and infection. She spoke of forms which she had ob- 

 served in various infusions, animal and vegetable. Bacteria from 

 sheep's blood were exhibited. 



Miss Whipple, with all needed apparatus on the table, gave a de- 

 monstration of the method of cutting, preparing, and double staining 

 vegetable sections. 



A cross section near the tip of the root of an air orchid, showing 

 fibro-vascular bundles and fissure-like markings, on cells of epidermal 

 tissue was noticeable ; also a vertical section of a stalk of corn, show- 

 ing reticulated and annular vessels in fibro-vascular bundles ; and a 

 cross section of stem of cypress, showing intercellular spaces. 



After the more formal meeting the company adjourned to the 

 adjoining laboratorj^ to inspect the specimens under the microscopes 

 and discuss the topics of the evening. 



Adjourned for two months. 



Marion Metcalf, Cor. Sec. 



MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CAMDEN, N. J. 



This Society held its first public reception on the evening of March 

 14th, which was well attended, and appears to have been highly 

 satisfactory to all concerned. Mr. C. Zentmayer, of Philadelphia, was 

 present as an exhibitor. 



SAN FRANCISCO MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. 



On December 5th, a paper from Mr. Charles Stodder was presented, 

 describing some diatoms from Santa Monica, Cal., among which were 

 some very beautiful and rare forms. At the next meeting a letter was 

 read from Mr. T. P. Woodward, stating that the specimen from which 

 the Santa Monica slides were prepared was discovered in tidal refuse 

 several miles from Santa Monica. 



At the meeting of Januar)'^ 2d, the circular letter from the Troy 

 Scientific Association, regarding a micrometric standard, was read, and 

 on motion it was decided that it is expedient to adopt a standard now, 

 and that the metric system should be employed. The other proposi- 

 tions were referred to a committee. The committee reported, Januarj- 

 i6th, in favor of a standard in the metric system, and recommended 

 the millimeter as the unit. 



The annual meeting was held Februar>^ 13th, at which President 

 Hyde delivered an interesting address, in which he briefly reviewed 

 the progress of microscopical discovery' and invention for the past 

 year. 



