rO I'ttOCKKDl.NOt; Ol' SOCIETIKS. 



accompauying a specimeu and a drawing of the Aidacodiscus 

 formosnn, sliowiug the four projecting knobs or handles visible 

 upon that diatom. jNIr. Sidebotham states that in fill drawings 

 liitherto published, these protuberances^ appear like simple eleva- 

 tions or bosses, nor could they be seen otherwise until the binocu- 

 lar microscope revealed their true shape. Mr. Dancer first called 

 his attention to this peculiarity. 



Mr. Crompton exhibited, and presented to the members, speci- 

 mens of capillary tubes used by him to collect and preserve 

 fluids for microsco])ical examination for medical purposes. Mr. 

 Crompton has used such tubes for more than a year, and has pre- 

 served specimens of blood, urine, &c., which by any other method 

 would have spoiled. The main feature consists in hermeticalh- 

 sealing the tubes after the introduction of the fluid, by holding 

 their ends alternately in the flame of a candle or lamp until the 

 glass melts, and the orifice closes ; the tubes may be about three 

 fourths filled by capillary attraction or immersion, and care must 

 be taken not to allow the fluid to approach the hot end of the 

 tube whilst being sealed. The Edinburglt vaccine tubes answer 

 the purpose well ; they may be about three inches long, and a 

 number of them may be carried in a small pocket ease at all 

 times ready to be filled. When reqiiired for examination, 

 the tube is broken, and the enclosed fliiid placed under the 

 microsco])e. 



The Secretary exhibited a specimen of the compound salt of 

 magnesia and copper, prepared by Mr. Thomas Davies, of 

 Warrington. Doubts having been expressed if it were a true 

 compound salt, or a mere mechanical mixture, Mr. Dale, who at 

 the Secretary's request had prepared some of the salt, undertook 

 to report further u])on it. Some forms of crystal were exhibited, 

 producing novel elfects by polarised light. 



]Mr. Lynde exhibited a tine specimen of copper ore, with jasper, 

 from CoruAvall, the colours of Avhich, when illuminated with the 

 Lieberldihn, Avere very gorgeous. 



Mr. Latham exhibited the ovary of a flea, and portions of the 

 skin and teeth of the dogfish. 



Mr. Heys exhibited specimens, mounted specially for the 

 Lieberkiihn, of various seeds, hairs, and glands of plants ; the 

 tesselated spines on the S^mphi/ium asperyimtim, or rough comfrey, 

 and the ruby-coloured oil glands of the origamme onites, glowing, 

 like precious stones, Avith the reflected light from above the object, 

 were very^ much admired. For certain classes of objects no illu- 

 mination can compare with that of the Lieberkiihn in the use of 

 the binocular microscope, and side lights may be obtained, to 

 some extent all around the object, by manipulation A\'ith the mirror. 



I'ith Novemler, 1861. 



E. W. BiXNEY, F.R.S., r.G.S., in the Chair. 



Dr. EdAvard Stephens was elected member of the Section. 

 The secretary read a communication from Mr. Thomas G. 

 Ivvlands, of Warrington. "On the classification of the Diatoma- 



