306 MEMORANDA. 



variety of specimens of the fructification of Ferns and Mosses, 

 The same class of objects were exhibited by Mr. Loddiges. 

 Mr. Bowerbank exhibited a series of the anchor-like processes 

 from the Holothuriadae and Polyps. Mr. Varley exhibited 

 Chara, Valisneria, and living Animalcules. The Rev. J. Reade 

 exhibited a series of crystalline bodies ; whilst Mr. Woodward 

 threw a new light on every object by his beautiful polarising 

 apparatus. Plants, pictures, and objects of general interest 

 crowded the tables ; but these were rather the adornments 

 than the substantial entertainment of the evening. Were we 

 to give an account of all that was worth seeing, it would take 

 up too large an amount of our space. We have felt ourselves 

 justified in giving these soirees this notice, both on account 

 of the respect we feel for the Master of the Apothecaries' 

 Society, at whose suggestion these interesting soirees were 

 arranged, and for the intrinsic benefit which must arise from 

 presenting to the mind at one time so large a number of the 

 facts which have been discovered by the aid of the micro- 

 scope. We are glad to be able to add that the friends of 

 Mr. Ward are raising a subscription for the purpose of pre- 

 senting his portrait to the Linnaean Society, to be placed 

 amongst the collection of portraits of distinguished naturalists 

 in the meeting-room of that Society. — E. L. 



Cheap Microscopes. — We announced in our last number that 

 the Society of Arts had oifered two prizes for cheap micro- 

 scopes. From the following extract from the Report of the 

 Committee of that Society it will be seen that it has succeeded 

 in obtaining this desirable object : — 



" The important position which the Microscope now holds, 

 not only in relation to pure but to applied science, and its 

 great value in assisting to form those habits of observation 

 which it is the object of all sound education to impart, in- 

 duced the Council to believe that the promoting the pro- 

 duction of a good instrument at a price which should render 

 it more readily accessible to the many, was an object worthy 

 of the Society ; and, accordingly, under the advice and with 

 the assistance of a Committee, composed of Mr. Busk, F.R.S. ; 

 Dr. Carpenter, F.R.S. ; Mr. Jackson ; Dr. Lankester, F.R.S. ; 

 Mr. Quekett ; and Mr. W. W. Saunders, F.R.S., the follow- 

 ing prizes were offered : — 



For a School Microscope, to be sold to the public at a price not exceeding 

 10s. 6d. —The Society's Medal. 



For a Teacher's or Student's Microscope, to be sold to the public at a 

 price not exceeding SI. 3s, — The Society's Medal. 



The Council undertook to purchase 100 of the smaller, and 



