PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 173 
BrrmMincHam Naturat History anp Microscopican Society. 
Av the microscopical meetings of this Society held during the 
past quarter the following papers have been read : 
On Feb. 7th the President, Mr. Hughes, read a paper on 
“Sponges.” It commenced with a-review of the history and 
opinions on the animal or vegetable nature of the class, from 
Aristotle down to the present time. Professor Grant’s first dis- 
covery of the ciliary processes was explained, and the investiga- 
tions and discoveries of Dr. Bowerbank, as given in his recent 
work, treated upon. It was clearly shown that the sponge is 
animal sui generis, but of a very low type, and the strongest proof 
adduced, according to Dr. Bowerbank, is that sponge, like Sertu- 
laria, Zoophytes, and silk, contained fibroine, asubstance nowhere 
met with in the vegetable kingdom. The paper was illustrated 
by diagrams and microscopical preparations. 
On Feb. 14th Dr. James Hinds read a paper on “‘ The Com- 
parative Anatomy of the Blood.’ The development of the blood- 
cells, as described by Dr. Wharton Jones, was traced through the 
invertebrate sub-kingdom, and the analogies of the granule and 
colourless cells explained. The blood-cells of the vertebrate sub- 
kingdom were especially dwelt upon, and the various views with 
reference to them enunciated. The differences subsisting between 
the cells of the oviparous and the mammalian vertebrates was 
particularly explained, reference being made to the researches of 
Hewson, Jones, and Gulliver. The paper was illustrated with 
numerous microscopical preparations and with diagrams. 
On March 14th Mr. Thomas Fiddian read a paper on ‘‘ The 
Siliceous Epiderms of the Diatomacee.” The author supported 
the theory of their vegetable origin, and not animal, and argued 
that their motion through the water was not to be ascribed to an 
exercise of will, but was merely motion caused by the vital action 
of the cell. The nature of the epiderm was minutely explained, 
and also the workings of the various species of diatoms. In con- 
clusion, Mr. Fiddian said that the comparative success of micro- 
scopic research, in reference to Diatomacez, proves the great value 
of the achromatic microscope ; that we owe much to it, and that 
the best way of showing our gratitude to it is a constant endea- 
vour to understand, improve, and use it. The paper was illus- 
trated by specimens of infusorial earths from Algiers, Italy, 
Barbadoes, Richmond (Virginia), Bermuda, and Sweden, and by 
mounted slides. 
During the quarter the following papers have also been read, 
i.e. “On the Silkworm,” by Mr. J. Scott; ‘“‘ On the History and 
Objects of the British Association for the Advancement of 
Science,” by Mr. C. Pumphrey ; “ On the Coal Fields of South 
Staffordshire,’ by Mr. L. Percival; ‘‘ On the Hawfinch,” by Mr. 
E. Buckley; “On Fixed Vegetable Oils,’ by Mr. F. Polglase ; 
