PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
Microscopican Society. 
May 10th, 1865. 
James Gratsner, Esq., F.R.S., President, in the chair. 
A communication from Dr. Maddox on “A Wire Spring 
Clip” was read, and a specimen of the clip was handed round for 
inspection. (‘Trans.,’ p. 84.) 
The Secretary read a paper from Dr. Greville “On some 
New and Rare Diatoms.” (‘ Trans.,’ p. 43.) 
The Present, who spoke in high terms of the beauty of Dr. 
Greville’s drawings, proposed a vote of thanks to that gentleman, 
which was unanimously carried. 
A. paper on “ Paraffin Oil, as applied to Microscopic purposes,” 
by Mr. Hall, was read. (‘Trans.,’ p. 87.) 
The PresipEnt, after remarking on the importance of the sub- 
ject of illumination, said that a paper like Mr. Hall’s, containing 
a series of facts which were highly valuable as facts, hardly called 
for discussion. He, however, should have been glad if carbonine 
as well as belmontine had been taken into account in the paper. 
He also suggested a simpler mode of expressing the fractions in 
Mr. Hall’s table, which Mr. Hall said he would adopt. 
Mr. W. Wrenuam read a paper “ On the Prismatic Examination 
of Microscopic Objects,” by Mr. William Huggins. (‘Trans.,’ 
p- 85.) Mr. Wenham said—I have assisted Mr. Huggins in 
making some of his investigations, and the results are rather re- 
markable. We ro far differ from Mr. Sorby that we are able to 
make an analysis of the smallest microscopic object, such as 
the smallest portion of a blood-dise mounted in the ordinary 
way. We can get a strong spectrum, and the power of the 
object-glass gives a better result. There is, however, one 
