Proceedings. Ixxxvii. 



received special attention, and its many remarkable peculiari- 

 ties were fully discussed and explained. 



At the conclusion of the discussion, a hearty vote of thanks 

 was accorded to Mr. Flower. 



The following is a list of the exhibits: — The President, a 

 fine series of photograms of Sea Birds, taken from life on the 

 Fame Islands, Northumberland ; Mr. Flower, Nest of red- 

 breasted P'lycatcher; Mr. James Epps, jun., Microscope 

 upwards of loo years old, constructed by E. Culpepper ; Mr. 

 Low Sargeant, larva of Dragon Fly polarized ; Mr. E. Lovett, 

 Ixodes of Rabbit mounted in fluid, also tray of micaceous 

 mud from Scilh-, illustrating decomposition of Rock ; R. J. 

 Backwell, larva of Day Fly ; A. Warner, section through jaws 

 of Rat, showing teeth in situ, also Human Hand (foetal 4 

 months). 



Twelfth Annual Soiree. 

 Held on Wednesday, November 2^rd, 1881. 



The Soiree was held as usual in the Large and Small Halls. 

 The attendance was 772, viz.: — 145 Members, 70 Exhibitors, 

 and 557 visitors. 



One-hundred-and-forty microscopes were exhibited by 112 

 exhibitors, including representatives of eleven kindred societies 

 and clubs, besides opticians and private exhibitors. 



A great attraction of the evening was the beautiful display of 

 flowers again contributed by the President from his conserva- 

 tories at Waddon. 



The musical arrangements were under the direction of i\Ir. 

 F. Laughlin. 



Near the orchestra a selection of eggs from the collection of 

 the President were exhibited, including a series of 27 nests of 

 British birds, each containing the egg of a cuckoo in addition 

 to its rightful occupants ; and a fine series of nests and eggs 

 of the Dartford warbler. 



In the small hall, the Sphygmographs exhibited and worked 

 by Drs. Rosser and Duncan were a great source of attraction 

 throughout the evening. 



The Sphygmograph is an invention of Dr. Dudgeon for taking 

 the beatings of the pulse, and detecting the state of the heart. 

 Unlike the cumbersome instrument invented by M. Mari some 

 20 years ago, the Sphygmograph is remarkable for its compact- 

 ness and simplicity of construction. It is attached to the 

 wrist by the operator, and by means of the pressure of a spring 

 on the pulse, a record is obtained on paper, which has been 

 previously smoked by burning a piece of camphor. This 

 paper having been prepared, is passed through the instrument, 



