224 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



Geology' us the "prolonged ])reniaxillan^ bone, or sword, of a 

 fossil SAVoi'd-lish." Professor Williamson showed that the 

 Caelorhynchus consisted wholly of a pure form of dentine, without 

 any Haversian canals or other indications of bone-structiu-e ; whilst 

 the premaxillary bones of the sword-fish consist entirely of the 

 same membraniform bone as is seen in other parts of the endo- 

 skeleton of that fish ; and besides this special discrepancy, he 

 suggested, that there -was no instance of an osseous element of the 

 endo-sheleton heing replaced hy one consisting ivhoUy and entirely 

 of dentine. They were frequently in juxta-position, dentine being 

 developed upon an osseous basis, but if the prevailing opinion 

 respecting Caelorhynchus be correct, the anomalous admission 

 must be made that pure hone may he replaced in the endo-sheleton, 

 hy equally pure dentine — a conclusion which physiology does not 

 appear to sustain. 



Professor Williamson having recently called the attention of 

 Dr. Kolliker, of Wurzburg, to this question, quoted the following 

 extract from a letter he had recently received from that dis- 

 tinguished physiologist. 



" With regard to Caelorhynchus, I am quite and decidedly of 

 your opinion. I examined carefully the accompanying sections 

 which I got from you, and compared the structure wdth that of 

 the spines of the Balistini, and convinced mj^self that the structure 

 of both is the same. I am therefore quite of the same opinion as 

 you, and have not the least objection, if you should find it 

 necessary, to make this, my adhesion to your views, publicly 

 known." 



Mr. Sidebotham exhibited a new binocular microscope, by 

 Dancer, which in several respects was considered superior to any 

 binocular yet exhibited here. 



ANNUAL REPOET. 



The third annual report of your Council presents an oppor- 

 tunity for congratulation upon the steady progress of the 

 Section, especially on the more regular attendance at the meetings, 

 and the more interesting nature of its proceedings. The difficul- 

 ties attending its establishment appear to be overcome, and a 

 career of usefulness is opening to it, which may prove important 

 to the progress of microscopical investigation. 



During the past year two members have been removed by 

 death, Mr. Thompson and Mr. Long. The former had few 

 opportunities of attending the meetings of the Section, but he 

 took great interest in its proceedings. Mr. Long was a member 

 of your Council ; he was an ardent follower of scientific pursuits, 

 and his loss is deeply felt by all who knew him. One resignation 

 has been accepted. Three new members have been elected. 

 Several gentlemen have become members of the Parent Society 

 in order to be qualified for joining the Section, and the names of 

 six candidates are now before you for election. 



