PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 5l 
those of Dr. Balbiani on the sexuality of the Polygastrica, as 
illustrations. These researches require re-examination and further 
confirmation ; and whilst the latter would give the results attained 
a fixed place in scientific annals, their rejection, should they prove 
erroneous, would remove stumbling-blocks out of the way. In 
fact, all discoveries required careful reinvestigation. Observers 
were often too sanguine, and drew large inductions from small 
and defective data, and this work of supervision was one in which 
our members might successfully engage. He also thought it 
desirable to warn the members against the contracting tendencies 
of minute microscopic research as opposed to philosophic breadth. 
If men limit their ambition to resolving the small markings of 
diatoms, apart from the great physiological questions to which 
they bear relation, they will inevitably succumb to this paralysing 
influence. They must be careful not to lose themselves in the 
mere examination of details, but to keep in view that the discovery 
of general laws should be their object, to the attainment of which 
the former was only a means. Mere details were useful, but to 
limit our attention to them crippled the intellect, and rendered 
it unable to combine them and trace out their connection with 
general laws. It was by keeping the attention fixed on this higher 
object that placed our most distinguished histologists on the 
pedestals they now occupy; and as it is the duty of every man 
to do what he does in the best manner he can, it behoves all 
members to keep this lofty aim carefully in view. 
The results would then not only advance science and benefit 
their fellow-men, but, if worldly fame were their object, they 
would reap it in the fullest measure to which they were entitled. 
November 17th, 1863. 
A paper was read “ On an Apparatus for Measuring Tensile 
Strengths, especially of Fibres,” by Mr. Charles O'Neill, F.C.. 
In the sketch, A is a cylindrical metallic vessel to hold water, and 
provided with a cock, ©. B is a hollow cylinder of glass or metal, 
closed at the lower end, and so weighted as to float vertically in 
stable equilibrium with a portion out of the water; upon its 
upper end a hook or clamp to hold the fibre is fixed. Disa fixed 
support, with another hook or clamp to hold the other end of the 
fibre. F is alever with a long and short arm, the long arm pass- 
ing over the scale G. H is the table or support, and E isa vessel 
into which water drawn from A is received. When using the ap- 
paratus it is nearly filled with water, and the fibre to be tested is 
properly secured to the fastenings on B and D, then drawn taut. 
‘Water is now allowed to flow slowly from C until the fibre breaks. 
The quantity of water drawn off is ascertained, and from it 
the strain put upon the fibre calculated. The indications of the 
long arm of the lever are also noted in order to show the stretch, 
