38 
facts, and comparing and discussing the results of observation ; and 
now we have many earnest students in geology, with its kindred 
branches, mineralogy, paleontology, and natural history in general. 
Though there may be some who do not see the connection between 
geology and microscopy, the connection in reality is very close, 
inasmuch as by the aid of the microscope we have been enabled to 
discover the Foraminifera, whose remains form so large a portion of 
the chalk ; and also to discover by their fructification the nature of 
many of the plants living during the period when coal was formed. 
To be astudent in geology it is not necessary to travel far and 
wide, for we find many most valuable contributions are from those 
who, from business or other causes, are prevented from getting far 
away from their places of residence, and yet have the inclination 
and sufficient leisure to carefully study the strata of their immediate 
neighbourhood. The neighbourhood of Croydon is interesting and 
well worthy of detailed examination from the circumstance of its 
being the outcrop of the London clay, and some beds lying between 
that stratum and the chalk formation.” 
Reference was made in course of the evening to some sections, 
among others, to one showing the strata passed through by the 
London and Brighton Railway, also to a map of Kent, Sussex, and 
part of Surrey, showing the weald formation and strata adjacent. 
The Srorerary read the following paper, contributed by Mr. 
N. Boeie-Frencu, ‘‘On Srarnrnc Leaves’’:—The leaf is first to 
be put into a chlorinated solution of soda, as purchased at the 
chemists, till it becomes perfectly transparent and white, the time 
varying according to the thickness of the leaf. Itis now placed for 
18 or 20 hours in water to eliminate the soda. The water should 
be changed three or four times. After taking it from the water it 
is placed in absolute alcohol for about an hour previous to being 
put in the dye, which is the next step. In this it remains till the 
colour is sufficiently deep. The dye is prepared by mixing ina 
mortar one-eighth or one-fourth of a grain of aniline with one 
ounce of absolute alcohol, and acidulated with one drop of nitric 
acid. The leaf, when dyed of the right colour, is next placed in oil 
of cloves for one or two hours in order to set the dye. This only 
applies to those stained blue. The red stainings must be placed in 
turpentine or benzole for the purpose of setting the colour, as oil of 
cloves bleaches it out ; but they must not remain in the turpentine 
or benzole too long, as these contract the cells. Experience will 
be the best guide as to the time. For my own part I have hitherto 
confined myself to blue stainings. The leaf is then mounted in 
Cunada balsam in the usual way. I believe gum damar is equally 
good, though I have never tried it. In the January and April 
numbers of ‘‘ Science Gossip,” 1875, full particulars will be found 
