NOTES AND MEMORANDA. 391 



conclusions which he draws from them on many points, 

 which is always a disagreeable thing to do. The too limited 

 nmnber of his observations on the production of calcareous 

 salts in the midst of organic liquids, and the defective manner 

 in which the experiments were made, have led him to attach 

 a greatly exaggerated importance to " molecular coalescence ;" 

 the part played by which is much more limited than he 

 supposes, and is confined to those cases where calcosphserites 

 are produced in a limited space, and come into mutual contact, 

 enlarging each one for itself in the same manner as crystals. I 

 shall not discuss the numerous points of difference between 

 Mr. E-ainey's views and mine. That would lead me too far, 

 and I can leave this task to other persons who may be willing 

 to repeat the experiments and observations which I have 

 described. Nevertheless all this by no means implies that I 

 have not read with much interest Mr. Rainey's observations 

 and the considerations by which they are accompanied. 

 Certainly there are to be found there many excellent ideas 

 which must be well weighed by those who may wish to 

 continue this kind of research. Moreover, I regard it as one 

 of the good results of publishing my researches, to have 

 contributed to rescue from an undeserved oblivion those of a 

 naturalist whose high merits I have pleasure in acknow- 

 ledging. Your obedient servant, 

 Utrecht, Juhj iith, 1872. P. Harting. 



A New Medical Microscopical Society. — We have been 

 favoured by a circular which we reprint below, and may 

 say that the proposition appears to us to be a thoroughly 

 practical and useful one, which should lead to a satisfactory 

 result. 



" As none of the existing Microscopical Societies meet the 

 wants of the student of medicine, it is proposed to establish a 

 new Society, which shall devote itself solely to microscopical 

 subjects in intimate relation with man, both in health and dis- 

 ease. The objects of the proposed Society will be the Read- 

 ing and Discussion of Papers; the Exhibition of Specimens; 

 the Formation of a Cabinet ; the Exchange of Specimens, &c. 

 A preliminary meeting, of which due notice will be sent 

 to the various Hospitals and Medical Journals, will be held 

 early in October, for the formation of the Society, the 

 enrolment of members, the draAving up of rules, the election 

 of officers, and for other business ; and it is hoped that all 

 qualified medical gentlemen and registered students interested 

 in the movement will attend. 



" All questions with regard to fees, hour and place of 



