112 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
cells, and he had a machine by which he could punch holes without 
leaving a burr; and I have now some dry objects mounted by him, 
and in no instance have I ever seen Conferva. With regard to Con- 
ferva growing on paper cells, I think it may be obviated by dipping 
the card, after its being punched, in a weak solution of corrosive 
sublimate and spirits of wine—one grain of sublimate to an 
ounce of spirits of wine, would be sufficient to poison the card- 
board thoroughly; and instead of tin shells, when cells are made 
in sheets, I would have a contrivance something like a photo- 
graphic bath full of the varnish (which might be easily made), so 
as to prevent evaporation, and dip them once or twice, or more, 
as occasion might require; and, if it were thought needful, a very 
small quantity of corrosive sublimate in the same proportion might 
be put into the varnish, and thus all the difficulty as to the growth 
of Conferva might be obviated. I think these economic methods 
of preparing cells the most convenient. 
Mr. Janez Hoee.—I think the great merit of Mr. Smith’s cell 
lies in its cheapness; and I am also of opinion that the marine- 
glue method meets the Conferva objection. JI have some dry 
objects which have been mounted twenty years, and they are 
perfectly good. Indeed, I thought that both in Mr. Smith’s 
invention, and in that of Mr. Suffolk’s, the chief merit was that 
these cells might be made for 2d. That being so, the objection 
as to cleaning the cells was easily disposed of, because if there was 
any difficulty of that kind the glass could be thrown away; and 
although Mr. Beck’s plan might be an improvement, yet it would 
cost a sum of money, and I think with Mr. Deane that the great 
merit of these inventions is the cheap way in which they can be 
brought into use. 
The Rev. J. B. Reapz.—I admit that paper is cheaper than 
ebonite; but then “time is money,” and you have to buy corro- 
sive sublimate and spirits of wine, and spend time in mixing them 
and putting them on, before the paper (the cheap article) is fit 
for use, so that I think that time and paper, as against ebonite, 
would be the more expensive of the two. 
Mr. Dranze.—You may buy a pint of methylated spirit for a 
small sum, and twenty grains of corrosive sublimate for a penny. 
The preparation would not cost more than a shilling. 
Mr. Harzu.—In support of the Rev. Mr. Reade’s remarks, I 
beg to call attention to vulcanite. I have placed vulcanite cells 
in the hands of Mr. Bailey, of Fenchurch Street, upon condition 
that he supplies them at 4d. per dozen. 
Major Owzn.—It would be a great desideratum to have some- 
thing always procurable in the market, and at the same time very 
cheap. There are brass rings which you can purchase for, I think, 
3d. per hundred. They are flattened on either side; and if these 
brass rings are put on in the form of cells with any cement, I 
think they are the cheapest and easiest to procure, and I have 
never found any objection to them. 
Mr. Smiru.—I have felt some difficulty, as a young micro- 
