35 



order of rotation, and depositing them iu serial order upon microscope 

 slides, when the sections are ready for examination under the microscope 

 after clearing and covering them with glass slips. 



October 23rd, 1885. 



JAS. ABBOTT, on "THE FLORA OF LEEDS AND 

 DISTRICT." 



After giving an account of the Flora of the immediate neighbourhood, 

 Mr. Abbott enumerated the plants which formerly occurred, but which 

 are now missing. He mentioned, also, that many plants which have been 

 found are not truly indigenous, but have been introduced, and are therefore 

 not likely, in the majority of instances, to permanently establish themselves 

 in the district. 



Mr. Abbott's observations had also reference to the plants of the Nidd, 

 Wharfe, and Aire valleys, and the results of his extended observations will 

 be found in the Flora. 



October 31st, 1885. 

 VISIT TO THE RUSKIN MUSEUM AT SHEFFIELD. 



On reax;hing the Museum, situated at Upper Walkley, the Presi- 

 dent (H. Bendelack Hewetson) and the members of the Club were 

 received by the Curator (Mr. Henry Swann) and Mrs. Swann, who had 

 made unusual arrangements to enable the Club to view the treasures with 

 the greatest possible facility, and to whose kind attention the Club were 

 greatly indebted. 



The original museum has long since proved too small to enable the 

 valuable specimens to be properly displayed, and recently a larger gallery 

 has been erected, which now contains the chief works of art and some of 

 the larger illustrated works on Natural History subjects. The almost 

 unique collection of minerals, and many of the smaller and more precious 

 works of art, are retained in the original building. Still, however, many 

 beautiful objects lie hidden for want of greater facilities for exposing 

 them to pubUc view, and large subscriptions are needed to assist Mr Ruskin 

 in further extending the area of the museum, which, after his great muni- 

 ficence, he cannot be expected to grant out of his private purse The 

 members of the Club were particularly struck by the splendour of the 

 mmeralogical collection, which contains numerous interesting and instruc- 

 tive specimens of agate-structure, and the various forms (some most 

 fantastic) of chalcedony. One specimen is particularly like the droppings 

 of candle grease set on agate. The various forms of agate are the fortifi- 

 cation or mural agate, columnar agate, horizontal agate, brachiated agate 

 moss agate, and pipe agate. There is an agate from whose banded surface 

 springs beautiful crystals of deep purple amethyst quartz. One specimen of 



