" Notes on a Few Forms of Fresh "Water Algae," illustrated by 

 the oxy-hydrogen lantern, by W. Narramore 



The Council welcome the birth of a sister Society, the Liverpool. 

 Biological Society, which has resulted from the work of the Marine 

 Biology Committee. 



It is hoped that by its help Microscopical research in Liverpool 

 may receive a further stimulus, the Microscope being an essential 

 feature in all modern Biological investigation. 



Among the chief additions to the Library during the year is 

 Hudson and Gosse's valuable work on the Rotifera. 



In conclusion, the Council tender the thanks of the Society to 

 the donors of slides, books, &c. and to Mr. Thomas Higgin, F.L.S. 

 for his valuable gift of Micro-Photographic Apparatus. 



Abstract of Papers read and Communications made during the 

 year 1886 :— 



February 5. — Mr. Thomas Higgin, F.L.S. presented to the Society his camera 

 for photographing microscopic objects, with heliostat and other 

 apparatus, and explained his method of using them. The hearty 

 thanks of the Society was accorded to Mr. Higgin for this most 

 valuable gift. 



The paper of the evening was read by Mr. Isaac C. Thompson, 

 F.R.M.S. entitled "The Copepoda of Liverpool Bay, obtained 

 during the summer dredging expeditions." Mr. Thompson com- 

 menced by expressing the debt of gratitude owed by all local 

 biologists to Professor Herdman by his systematic and successful 

 attempt to work out and classify the marine life of our neigh- 

 bouring shores, the first report of which was in the press and very 

 shortly to be published. The task of collecting and examining 

 the materials obtained was divided amongst a considerable number 

 of workers, and it had fallen to his (Mr. Thompson's) lot to work 

 out a class large in point of numbers but very microscopical in 

 size — the Copepoda, one of the branches of the Crustacea. 



The specimens were obtained mostly by tow-net during the 

 several summer excursions, cliiefly on the "Hyaena," and during 

 several excursions to Hilbre Island, and from material collected by 

 Professor Heedman at the Isle of Man. To show the profusion of 

 these minute crustaceans throughout the seas, Mr. Thompson 



