PROCEEDINGS OP SOCIETIES. 75 



natural cavities containing fluid and gases, which on boiling 

 present curious phenomena; also a box of objects, two micro- 

 scopes, &c. 



September 17ih, 1860. — A specimen of envelopes was exhibited 

 by the Secretary, such as were proposed to be sent to captains of 

 vessels, in which to preserve the soundings they obtain in difierent 

 parts of the world, for this section. The envelopes were much 

 approved of, and were thought likely to be productive of future 

 interest to the section, and to microscopists in general. 



Mr. Latham referred to Mr. Hepworth's method of mounting 

 insects in Canada balsam, and described his own experience of the 

 same. Mr. Latham spoke in very favorable terms of the facility 

 with which slides can be washed off and finished. He found that 

 the balsam should be as thick as possible, almost even to dryness ; 

 then dissolved in chloroform, to a consistence only thin enough to 

 flow easily under the thin glass ; the object having previously been 

 mounted by Mr. Hepworth's process, under thin glass tied on with 

 thread, exhausted of air, and saturated with turpentine. After 

 heating over a spirit-lamp the balsam sets hard almost as soon as 

 cool, when the slide, after cleaning with alcohol, is ready for the 

 cabinet. Mr. Latham exhibited several slides thus mounted, with 

 specimens of the gizzard of a cricket, the saw-fly, entire trachea 

 system of the silkworm, ichneumon-fly, spiracle of the silkworm, 

 goldfish scale, leaf of wheat showing spiral vessels. 



Mr. Lynde exhibited a fine Plumatella living on the shell of a 

 large Lymnea or water-snail. 



Mr. Mosley exhibited specimens of Hydra and other aquatic 

 objects. 



October 15tJi, 1860. — A circular was read, addressed to cap- 

 tains of vessels, with a request that they will preserve the pro- 

 duce of the soundings they make when abroad, in the envelopes 

 sent therewith. — A letter was read from Mr. Hayman, of Liver- 

 pool, to the effect that circulars and envelopes have been supplied 

 to the captains of eight -steamers belonging to Messrs. John Bib by 

 and Sons, in the Mediterranean trade ; three of Messrs. M'lver's 

 steamers, plying between Liverpool and New Tork ; to the steamer 

 Armenian, for Madeira, Sierra Leone, Calabar, &c. ; to the Marco 

 Polo, and two other vessels to Melbourne ; as well as to vessels 

 which have gone to Woosung in China, Bombay, Alexandria, 

 &c., &c. 



The Chairman made some observations in praise of the plan, 

 which he had no doubt would be productive of advantage, and add 

 to the interest of the meetings of the section. 



It was suggested by Mr. Brothers that a special subject, pre- 

 viously fixed upon, should be discussed at each meeting ; the 

 suggestion was at once adopted. The subject for discussion at the 

 next meeting will be, " Upon the Best Method of Px-epariug and 

 Mounting Diatoms, &c., obtained from Soundings and other 



