85 
tiating species or determining sex, and not as a test for objectives. 
Tn obtaining the scales for examination, I have found the best way 
to examine a wing is to lay it on a clean slide, then place a covering 
glass upon it and gently press. Upon removing the upper slide, 
plenty of scales will be obtained in their relative positions. The 
covering glass can be mounted, a ring of cement run round the 
slide, a cover added, and when dry, a finishing coat be put on and 
the slide is ready for the cabinet. We fear we have been too 
prolix in our remarks, and not added any new fact to the store of 
the members of this Society, but if we have been able to enlist one 
to pursue the study of scales of insects, we shall have done our 
quota towards the use of the microscope as a means of research, for 
there are many paths open besides the beaten tracks, by which not 
only (if that be needed as a spur) fame may be won by the discovery 
of new facts in physiology, but much pleasure and interest may be 
derived from prying into the secrets of nature hidden from the un- 
aided eye. 
A short discussion followed the above paper, and a cordial vote 
of thanks was passed to Mr. Wonfer. 
Dr. Carpenter exhibited and described the American Poke 
Weed (Piytolacca decandria), with spikes of ripe fruit; and Mr. 
W. H. Beeby described the new plant (Rumea rupestris), discovered 
by him in Scilly. 
The following exhibited their microscopes:—Mr. J. 8. J ohnson, 
Mr. E. Lovett, Dr. Strong, and Mr. A. D. Taylor. 
December 15th, 1875.—Henry Lee, Esq., President in the chair. The 
minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The follow- 
ing gentlemen were ballotted for and duly elected :—Dr. Duncan, 
Mr. Maitland Gardner, Mr. H. Kemp-Welch, Mr. C. H, Maltby, 
and Mr. Edwin Williams; and the following were nominated for 
election :—Mr. James Buck, Mr. Edmund Gill, and Mr. F. A. Nash, 
_ The Presrpent announced that two members of the Committee, 
Mr. W. R. Cooper and Mr. John Flower, would retire at the close 
of the year. 
Tt was proposed by Mr. J. 8. Jonnson and seconded by Mr. 
H. M. Kuaassen, that Mr. W. H. Beeby and Mr. E. B. Sturge be 
nominated for election at the General Meeting as members of the 
Committee. It was further agreed that Mr. Beeby and Mr. Sturge, 
be appointed auditors for the present year’s accounts. 
Mr. Grorce Perry gave an ‘‘Inrropucrory Leorure on 
Gxotoey,”’ which he illustrated with numerous diagrams and speei- 
mens.-—The study of Geology, he said, is that which leads us to inyesti- 
