24 
‘Information being asked for respecting mounting in Canada 
balsam, it was recommended that it be used as fluid as possible and 
cold. The process of boiling, as recommended in some manuals, being 
strongly condemned for most preparations. If time or very gentle 
heat were allowed any trace of air-bubbles would vanish. Attention 
was then drawn to a mode of mounting fresh animal tissue in balsam 
by steeping in absolute alcohol, by which means the water was 
absorbed, then in an essential oil, such as oil of Cassia, and lastly 
mounting in fluid balsam. Preparations were shown mounted in this way 
in which the time consumed, from cutting the object until the covering 
glass was placed over it, was not more than twenty minutes. The object 
had been placed on the glass slide, absolute alcohol had been added 
and drained off, this was twice repeated, then oil of Cassia, and lastly 
fluid balsam. 
Very cordial thanks were given to Dr. Hallifax and Mr. Wonfor 
for a practical lesson, which lasted an hour and a half, and was 
evidently appreciated by a strong muster of the Microscopical 
Members. 
NOVEMBER 13TH. 
ORDINARY MEETING.—MR. E. A. PANKHURST ON 
“SOME OF THE RECENT DISCOVERIES RESPECTING 
THE VITAL POWER OF PLANTS.” 
There was great difficulty in determining ‘‘ What is a plant,” or 
to say where plant life ended and animal life began. If they affirmed 
that the power of independent motion distinguished the animal, then 
the coral, polyp, and many related species which had no more in- 
depent motion than an oak, must be considered as plants, and the 
ciliated spores of plants which moved hither and thither in the field 
of the microscope must be considered as animals; and was the quick, 
rolling Volvox Globator less a plant, because it turned and moved. 
Linnzus thought he had settled the question with his aphorism— 
