Proceedings. XXXIll. 
Mr. Cooper exhibited a specimen of the Smew (M. albellus 
L.) which was obtained, last winter, at Wallingford, Berks, 
and the history of this species, and its occurrence in the British 
Isles as a winter migrant only, was explained by the President. 
The following objects were also exhibited :—Mr. J. Berney, 
various sections of wood, section cutting apparatus; Mr. P. 
Crowley, section of fennel ; Mr. J. S. Johnson, striate muscular 
fibre and acarus: Mr. H. M. Klaassen, transverse sections of 
stems of fern, cane, and sycamore ; Mr. E. Lovett, section of 
Pteris aquilina, 96 sections of wood, seeds, nuts, &c.; Mr. K. 
McKean, Anodonta cygnea (var anatina), Unio tumidus, Hélix 
aculeata; Mr. W. J. Nation, various sections; Mr. H. R. 
Owen, beetles, Central Africa; Mr. W. L. Sarjeant, radial 
section of pine, polarized ; Mr. E. B. Sturge, various sections; 
Mr. A. D. Taylor, specimens of various woods. 
Ordinary Meeting, November 1gth, 1879. 
Joun Frower, M.A., F.Z.S., President, in the Chair. 
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. 
Mr. William Blades, Rev. E. M. Geldart, and Mr. B. Pud- 
dicombe were balloted for and elected. 
The PrEsIDENT announced the donation of six slides of wood 
sections by Mr. Nation, also that Dr. Lionel Beale had pre- 
sented to the Club a copy of the new edition of his book, 
“‘How to work with the Microscope,” and the thanks of the 
Club were accorded to Mr. Nation and to Mr. Beale. 
Mr. THomas CusuHinG, F.R.A.S., read a paper entitled 
«* Notes on Barometers, with experiments, illustrative of the 
principles on which they are constructed,” and by an elaborate 
series of experiments, and numerous instruments, explained, 
very clearly, the structure of the various kinds of barometers, 
the scientific prineiples involved in their construction, and the 
practical uses to which they may be put in scientific investiga- 
tion. He further explained the manner in which the principle 
of the barometer was first discovered, and the way in which 
modern barometers had been gradually developed. 
The paper was followed by a discussion, in which the Presi- 
dent, Mr. Mawley, and others took part, and a very cordial 
vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Cushing for his excellent 
paper. 
Mr. GeorGr CurLInG called attention to the recent discovery 
of a large per centage of copper in the green colouring matter 
of some of the wing feathers of the Turako (Corythacola 
A 3 
