230 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
The following papers and communications have been laid before 
you at the meetings held this Session :— 
Two communications “ On the structure of the Cotton Fibre at 
various stages of its growth,” by Captain J. Mitchell, of Madras. 
A paper by Messrs. Thomas Davies and J. D. Dale, “On 
Transparent Injections.”’ 
A paper by W. H. Hyslop, “On mounting Microscopie pre- 
parations in Canada balsam and chloroform.” 
“Description of an instrument for collecting soundings free 
from tallow,’’ by Captain Baker, ship “ Niphon.” 
A paper by Mr. Sidebotham, “On mounting objects for the 
Microscope in fluids,” illustrated by specimens mounted in 1842 
and subsequent years. 
“Suggestions as to the use of mica slips and covers instead of 
glass, when employing high object-glasses,” by Mr. Sidebotham. 
Addresses “‘ On the present state and aims of Microscopic In- - 
vestigation,” by Professor Williamson and Mr. Sidebotham. 
The Society have also been favoured, by Mr. Dancer, with the 
exhibition of a new and improved owy-caleuim Microscope. 
Abstracts of most of the above communications have been 
printed in the proceedings of the Society, and in the ‘ London 
Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science.’ 
Many discussions have taken place regarding the structure of 
the cotton fibre. 
Your Council would remind the members that ample supplies 
of cotton plants are being raised for their use, and trust the 
structure of cotton fibre will be fully investigated during the 
recess, the members having at their command better object-glasses 
and instruments than have been hitherto applied to these investi- 
gations. Mr. Grindon has kindly promised to supply pods to 
members who apply for them. 
Supplies of soundings have continued to arrive from various 
quarters of the world, and it is to be hoped another year will not 
elapse ere some attempt be made to examine and classify the fine 
collection now in the possession of the Section. The addition to 
your microscopical objects has not been important, excepting 
twenty-four beautiful slides df scales of diurnal lepidoptera, illus- 
trating Mr. John Watson’s paper on the subject, read at our 
previous Session ; a fine specimen of Microscopic writing on glass 
presented by Mr. W. J. Rideout, and some fine sections of cotton 
from Mr. Crum, illustrating his pamphlet on the subject. 
Your Council would earnestly solict the donation of good illus- 
trative slides, which would always be accessible to the members, 
and hope that in time a valuable collection of authentic specimens 
may be brought together to serve for reference. 
The attention of the Section is respectfully called to a new rule 
of the Parent Society admitting associates to the Section on their 
paying half a guinea yearly subscription to tke Section and a 
similar sum to the Parent Society. These associates enjoy the 
privileges of attending the meetings of the Section to which they 
