xxxviii Proceedings. 



gidas 2 ; Ennomidie 2 ; Acidalidse 2 ; CaberidaB 1 ; Larentidse 5; 

 Leucanidse 1; Apamidae 12; CaradrinidsB 1; Noctuidse 15; 

 Orthasidse 10 ; Cormidse 2 ; Hadenidte 4 ; Plusidse 2 ; Amphi- 

 pyridse 3. 



A conversational meeting was held on Feb. 22nd under the 

 auspices of the Zoological Section. The subject discussed was 

 the causes of the abundance in particular seasons of certain 

 insects usually uncommon, with special reference to Colias edusa, 

 so plentiful in 1892. The prevalent opinion in reference to this 

 particular insect seemed to be that in the British islands it does 

 not survive the winter, and that the specimens observed in this 

 country in summer are a second brood, the progeny of specimens 

 of the first brood, which have been blown over from the Conti- 

 nent early in the year. 



Mr. Murton Holmes, Honorary Secretary of the Microscopic 

 Sub-Committee, gives me the following report : — 



A hope was expressed last year that some demonstrations upon the 

 practical work of the microscope could be arranged, and the Sub-Com- 

 mittee is pleased to be able to report that by the kind assistance of 

 several members some successful demonstrations were carried out. 

 The first was undertaken by Mr. Aldous, who gave a graphic account 

 of the construction of the microscope, explaining the theory both of the 

 simple and compound forms. The next demonstration was by Dr. 

 Franklin Parsons on the various methods of microscopic illumination 

 [which was especially valuable, as a proper method of using mirrors 

 and condensers is essential to obtain good definition.] Mr. Lovett de- 

 voted an evening to the preparation and mounting of objects in liquid, 

 showing how cells should be made to retain the liquid in which the 

 objects are preserved, and what precautions are necessary to mount 

 the objects without distortion. Mr. Holmes explained how objects 

 could be rapidly mounted in Canada balsam, and the manner in which 

 they should be attached to glass slips when sections by grinding were 

 required. On a subsequent occasion he also illustrated the washing 

 and preparation of some diatomaceous earth for mounting. 



The Sub-Committee earnestly hopes that members will more fre- 

 quently brmg objects of microscopic interest for exhibition at the 

 ordinary evening meetings, and hopes to be able to make arrangements 

 to facilitate this. 



I may here mention that Mr. Aldous kindly undertakes to have 

 a microscope stand ready at all ordinary meetings of the Club, 

 so that members wishing to exhibit slides need not bring a 

 microscope, but only the necessary objectives, having the uni- 

 versal screw. I may also call attention to the valuable col- 

 lection of slides in the Club's cabinet, selections from which 

 members are allowed to take home and examine at their leisure. 



I may too in this place refer to the Club's library, and point 

 out that books may be taken out at any meeting of the Club on 



