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22, 
PECULIAR PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER. 
By S. H. Moore, Esq. (Silver Medallist in Technology). 
The lecturer referred to the occurrence of vast quantities of water in its 
various forms, and compared the ocean to a boiler, the sun to a furnace, and 
the atmosphere to a still. The properties of the liquid, solid and gaseous 
forms of water were described and illustrated. The formation of cloud, water- 
spouts, rainbows, mirage and hail was explained. The variations of water 
from other substances in its physical properties were noted, and the effect of 
these deviations from the normal analysed. The remarkable power possessed 
by water of dissolving solids was mentioned, and the phenomena of erosion, 
stalactitic and stalagmitic deposits were referred to this cause. The lecture 
was illustrated by experiments and lantern slides. 
MICROSCOPICAL SECTION. 
The only meeting during the past Session of this Section was held on 
January 20th, when Dr. Elliott gave a Lecture, entitled ‘‘ Micro-organisms, 
(Bacterial), their cultivation, staining, and differentiation,’’ illustrated by 
photo-micrographs, coloured and otherwise, a large number of which were 
shown on the screen. > 
A number of micro-slides, illustrating Cohn’s classification of the 
Schizomycetes, were exhibited by various members of the Section, under their 
microscopes, by means of high power immersion objectives, and comprised 
specimens of :—(1) Sphcero-bacteria (round forms), (2) Micro-bacteria (short 
rods), (3) Desmo-bacteria (long rods), (4) Spiro-bacteria (curved forms). The 
subject was treated in a most comprehensive and interesting manner, and was 
thoroughly appreciated by the members present. 
LITERATURE SECTION. 
The first Lecture of the Literature Session was given by the Rev. Herbert 
Cooper on “ Evolution in Philosophy.’”? The subject is one which, in the 
lecturer’s words, cannot be said to be popular, but in the hands of the lecturer 
it was placed before the audience in a clear and interesting manner. 
Beginning by showing the relation between science and philosophy, Mr. 
Cooper went on to speak of Darwinism, the first great modern manifestation 
of evolution, and then by successive stages to the theories of Herbert Spencer, 
and Bergson. 
The second Lecture of the three allotted to this Section was “ The 
Psychology of Dreams.’’ This was a lecture pure and simple, and not the 
reading of a paper. Mr. G. E. Lee, B.A., showed his intimate knowledge of 
the subject by the ease with which he addressed his audience and by the 
facility with which his illustrations were brought in. The lecturer treated of 
popular beliefs, dreams in folk-lore and mythology, up to the theory of Frend 
and the method of psycho-analysis. > ; 
The last Lecture, and possibly the most popular, of the series was “‘Chester 
Political Literature to 1830,’ by Hugh T. Dutton, Esq., M.A. The lecturer 
treated his subject in a popular way, introducing anecdotes, sayings, and 
character sketches of bye-gone local worthies, giving his large audience a vivid 
idea of what local political life was in the old city before the days of the 
great Reform Bill. Special credit is due to the lecturer for the trouble he — 4 
took in examining pamphlets and other records, and for obtaining photographs, 
ete., to illustrate his lecture. 
A special feature of the lecture was the aid given by Dr. Bridge, who not 
only contributed details of local musical composers, but ably accompanied the 
singing of several well known songs of the period. 
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