1380 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
used as manure. The Nullipore remains are collected in large 
heaps, and, by exposure to the air and sun, soon become quite 
bleached, presenting the appearance of coral sand. Running over 
.and jumping upon these mounds, Dr. Wright discovered those 
pretty apterous insects. So far as he could determine, they belong 
to an undescribed species of the genus Heterotoma. 
Mr. Tichborne exhibited some crystals of creatine found in 
Liebig’s extract of beef. They were recognised by their form 
and by their reaction with chloride of zinc. 
MancHestER LITERARY AND PHILosopHicaL Society. 
MICROSCOPICAL SECTION. 
October 16th, 1865. 
A. G. LatHam, Esq., President of the Section, in the Chair. 
This being the first meeting of the session, the President 
delivered an address reviewing the past proceeding of the Section, 
and referring with satisfaction to the proposal to extend its objects 
to subjects of natural history generally. 
Mr. Sidebotham read “ Notes on Atlantic Soundings.” 
He said that in the unsuccessful attempt made to raise the 
Atlantic Cable after it had unfortunately parted, the ropes and 
grapnels brought up from the bottom small portions of ooze or mud, 
some of which was scraped off and preserved, as stated at the time 
in the newspapers. Believing that a careful examination of this 
deposit might prove of considerable interest, he wrote on the sub- 
ject to Dr. Fairbairn, who, after considerable trouble, obtained 
for him a fine sample, mounted specimens of which he now pre- 
sented for the cabinet and to each member of the Section. In 
appearance the deposit resembles dirty chalk, and under the micro- 
scope reminds one much of the chalk from Dover ; indeed, it has all 
the appearance of being a bed of chalk in process of formation. It is 
composed entirely of organisms, chiefly in fragments. In the short 
examination he had made he observed several forms which give 
promise of interesting results, and he thought it would be desir- 
able to frame a complete list of the species found, which would be 
best accomplished by two or three members taking temporary 
possession of all the slides, and preparing a report on their united 
observations. The sample now distributed was obtained at Dr. 
Fairbairn’s request by Mr. Saward from Mr. Temple, one of the 
Engineering Staff, who states that it was got in grappling for the 
Cable, August 11th, 1865, Lat. 51° 25’ 15” N., Long. 38° 59’ W. 
