PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 151 



members, feel that tliey may with confidence congratulate them on 

 the very satisfactory position which it now holds. 



About a year and a half ago a few lovers of microscopical science 

 proposed to form themselves into a societj'', in order to assist each 

 other in the prosecution of their pursuits by mutual intercourse, 

 aided by the collection of a library of reference, with the inten- 

 tion of holding their meetings in rotation at each other's houses. 

 When, however, it became known that such a society was in course 

 of formation, so many gentlemen expressed a wish to join it, that it 

 became necessary to alter the original plan, and to find a room 

 spacious enough to receive the increased number of members ; and 

 with, this view the Blackheath Lecture Hall was engaged by the 

 Council. So much interest has been taken in the objects of the 

 society, that in the short period since its formation seventy-one 

 gentlemen have had their names entered as members on its books. 



The meetings have generally been well attended by the mem- 

 bers and their friends. A considerable number of instruments, 

 mostly of a superior class, have been supplied by the members, and 

 the President has placed his large one, by Smith and Beck, at the 

 disposal of the Council for the use of the Society. Some very in- 

 teresting objects have been exhibited, and two papers have been 

 read by gentlemen kindly introduced by the Vice-President. One 

 of these was read by Sydney Jones, Esq., Lecturer on Anatomy at 

 St. Thomas's Hospital, " On the Deposit of Silver in the Human 

 Body, with microscopical illustrations;" the other by Thomas 

 Howard Stewart, Esq., " On Echinida and Asteriada, illustrated by 

 some beautiful drawings, dissections, and microscopical prepara- 

 tions," the conclusion of which has been, however, unavoidably 

 deferred by Mr. Stewart's illness. A list of the different varieties 

 of DiatomacciB, found in this district during the past summer, was 

 drawn up and read by Mr. Clift. 



At the suggestion of several members, the Council engaged Dr. 

 Lankester, in February, to deliver an address " On the Structure 

 and Use of the Microscope." This meeting was very fully at- 

 tended by members and their friends, and the address gave general 

 satisfaction. 



The Council, finding the Blackheath Lecture Hall by no means 

 well adapted for their purpose, and learning that the proprietor had 

 increased his charge for the use of it, determined to seek for accom- 

 modation elsewhere, and the Hall of the Mission School (in which 

 the last few meetings have been held) having been very kindly 

 offered, they at once availed themselves of it, and feel sure the 

 members must rejoice at the change. 



The Library. — The Council think they may report with especial 

 satisfaction on the state of the library ; for though of course as yet 

 not extensive, it contains some very admirable works on microsco- 

 pical science. They have received a few donations of books, and 

 they recommend that the Secretary should subscribe to the Ray 



