Mr. A. Norman Tate, F.I.C. read a Paper on "Some New- 

 Apparatus and Methods for the Microscopical Examination of 

 Water." After giving a brief outline of Professor Koch's method 

 for the biological examination of water, he referred to the importance 

 of the operation of sterilising the apparatus and substance used in 

 the process, and exhibited and described several forms of hot-air 

 ovens and steam and water chambers in which the operation can 

 be conducted. He mentioned the special features of each, and the 

 ■ precautions necessary in using them, especially the arrangements 

 for securing proper temperature. He also showed other warm 

 chambers, such as are used for solidifying blood-serum, &c. and 

 then described the moist chambers employed in developing bacterial 

 colonies on glass plates covered with nutrient gelatine, &c. and in 

 conclusion sj^oke of the interesting character of the study of the 

 micro-organisms in water, the wide field of investigation it offered, 

 and its great importance in connection with health and disease, 

 remarking that the study of the one process of sterilisation alone 

 was of the greatest value in preventing the spread of infectious 

 diseases by assisting in the arrangement of methods for the dis- 

 infection of infected clothing, bedding, &c. 



Dr. Barron followed mth some practical observations upon 

 the subject; and, upon the motion of the President, the thanks of 

 the Meeting were accorded to Mr. Tate for his valuable Paper. 

 At the Conversazione the following subjects were illustrated : — 



Apparatus for sterilizing solutions, &c A. Norman Tate. 



Diatoms, various, from neighbourhood W. H. Bead. 



Foot of Dytiscus, exhibiting suckers, &c J. Michael Williams. 



Foraminifera from the Adriatic Alfred Leicester. 



Jnucus effusus, section of stem showing stellar cells Robert Nicholson. 



Larva of Ascidian, exhibiting embryonic notochord, 



dredged olf Puffin Island Isaac C. Thompson. 



Nitella translucens, in fruit A. T. Smith, Jun. 



Pond Water from brick-field Rev. F. Ballard, M. A. 



Section of Human Skin, perspiration ducts and glands ...Charles Botterill. 



Sedimentarj"^ Matter from foul water William Oelrichs. 



Sediment from surface drainage water William Nauramore. 



Seed of the Wild Clematis E. F. Stead. 



Volvox globator, living, and mounted T. Muskett. 



Decembers. — A Paper was read by Mr. William Narramore on " Notes on 

 some few forms of Fresh Water Algfe." He said to the microscopist 

 the study of the fresh water algoe is most interesting, and supremely 



