PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 229 
doubtless be found in the desiccation of the cotton after it is 
exposed to the sun by the bursting of the capsule. 
I must not omit to mention that when by pressure a portion of 
the contents is expelled from the cotton hairs, it frequently 
appears in the form of small spheres, in which an active molecular 
movement of granules is seen, just as in the mucous corpuscles 
from the mouth, from which, in appearance, they only differ in 
their larger size. 
I have seen in some dry Sea Island cotton, with a =5th and 
polarized light, what Mr. Sidebotham (was it he P) took for spiral 
fibres, I presume; but they are only visible in places and not in 
all hairs. I confess that at present I am a sceptic on this point. 
With apologies for this hasty letter, 
I am, dear Sir, 
Your most obedient servant, 
J. Mircnet, Captain, 
Superintendent Madras Musewn. 
May 9th, 1864. 
Officers elected 9th May, 1864:—President, Joseph Side- 
botham; Vice Presidents, Arthur G. Latham, Thomas Allcock, 
M.D., John B. Dancer; Secretary, Henry Alexander Hurst. 
Of the Council:—Joseph Baxendell, F.R.A.S., Thomas H. 
Nevill, John Parry, W. H. Heys, W. Roberts, M.D., W. C. 
Williamson, F.R.S., &c., Murray Gladstone, L. H. Grindon. 
ANNUAL REPORT, 1864. 
The Council of your Section in presenting this, their sixth 
annual report, have to regret the loss of their late Secretary, Mr. 
George Mosley, whose untiring industry and zeal in promoting 
the progress of the Society can hardly be over estimated. One 
of the first members, he was from its very commencement an 
indefatigable worker in its cause, and the Council believe that to 
him, in a great measure, may be attributed the marked success 
and increasing usefulness of this Section. His place has been 
very ably filled by Mr. H. A. Hurst, one of the original sug- 
gestors of a Microscopical Society in Manchester, and also one of 
our oldest members, who has without hesitation very kindly 
acceded to the request of the Council to take upon himself the 
duties of Honorary Secretary of the Society. 
Your Council have only to record the accession of one new 
member during the past Session, which has been one of compara- 
tive quietude in the history of Microscopical science. 
