210 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



excited during crystallization. Some years ago he had obtained 

 from solution of bichromate of potash, tree-like forms, with 

 spreading branches and pendant rhomboids, which under the 

 polariscope appeared like a tree with gems of rich colours for 

 fruit. 



Mr. Mosley exhibited an edition of Baker's work "On the 

 Microscope" (Loudon, 1785), with many engravings of vegetable 

 forms in crystals of manna, salts of antimony, copper, &c. 



Mr. Brothers exhibited a drawing of a small animal he found 

 leaping on the surface of the water in his aquarium, supposed to 

 be identical with the species of Podura found last year by Mr. 

 Lynde. 



April 21th, 1862. 

 E. W. BiNNEY, F.E.S., P.G.S., in the Chair. 



Contributions were acknowledged from Captain James Clarke, 

 of the ship " Lightning," consisting of a specimen of mud, from 

 Hobson's Bay, Australia ; a specimen of Fiicus natans, or gulf 

 weed, from the Sargasso Sea, and sand, &c., from a sounding off 

 the south coast of Ireland. Captain Contente, of the Portuguese 

 steamer " Lusitania,'' forwarded a sounding taken between Cape 

 Carvoeiro and the Berling Islands, off the coast of Portugal. 



Professor Calvert presented to the members of the Section a 

 number of bottles containing carbolic acid in crystals, for the 

 purpose of experimenting upon its utility as a preservative fluid 

 for microscopical objects, as well as for specimens of natural 

 history. Carbolic acid, or hydrate of oxide of phenyle is the pure 

 creosote from coal-tar ; the deliquescent crystals are soluble in 

 water to the extent of only two per cent, and any excess will 

 remain as a heavy oil at the bottom of the water. 



The antiseptic qualities of this substance are, however, so 

 powerful, that the above solution in water, used in place of spirits 

 of wine, glycerine, &c., is sufficient to preserve organic substances 

 from decay. It has the property of coagulating albumen, which 

 may render it unsuitable for certain anatomical preparations, but, 

 for many purposes, it will no doubt prove to be of much value to 

 naturalists and microscopists. 



Mr. Thomas D. Toase, of Jamaica, presented through Professor 

 Calvert, specimens of Diatoraacese, from Kingston Harbour ; 

 pollen of a West Indian lily ; a portion of a plantain leaf, with 

 two mounted slides of the same, showing cells, raphides, &c. Mr. 

 Toase also sent drawings and description of a Rotifer, found upon 

 Conferva, at Jamaica, which was not known to any of the members 

 present. It consists of an oval body or outer case of a brownish 

 colour, yjj^^g^ths of an inch in length ; from nem- one end of the oval is 



