PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 225 



Your Secretary has beeu elected a member of the Council of 

 the Parent Society, which may be regarded as a compliment to 

 the Section and a proof of the estimation in which it is held. 



The Treasurer's report for the year commences with a balance 

 in hand of £7 Os. 2d. The receipts were £14 0*. Od. ; the 

 expenditure ^617 8s. 4J. ; and there is now a balance in hand of 

 £3 lis. lOd. 



During the session the Section has held two summer and eight 

 ordinary meetings, at which several papers have been read, much 

 valuable information communicated, and many specimens ex- 

 hibited. A pleasant excursion was made to Croft's Bank, at the 

 invitation of Mr. Hepwoi'th, whose kind reception, display of 

 objects, and solid microscopical knowledge, will long be remem- 

 bered by those who partook of his hospitality. 



Papers have been read by Mr. J. B. Dancer, F.R.A.S., " On 

 cleaning and preparing Diatoms, &e., obtained from soundings." 

 Mr. W. H. Heys, " On the Kaloscope." And by your Secretary 

 upon " Mr. Dale's process for the separation of tallow from 

 soundings." 



Addresses have been given on important subjects by your 

 President, by Mr. Binney, Mr. Sidebotham, and others. Many 

 contributions have been received from gentlemen who take an 

 interest in the prosperity of the Section ; amongst whom may be 

 named Capt. M. P. Maury and Lieut. Brooke of the United 

 States Navy, Capt. Anderson, Mr. W. K. Parker, Dr. Wallich, 

 Professor Agassiz, Dr. Bacon, Mr. Edwards of New York, Mr. 

 Hepworth, and other distinguished scientific men, whose assist- 

 ance has been highly valued and duly recorded. 



The thanks of the Section are due to Mr. Dancer for the 

 unremitting kindness with which he has provided microscopes 

 and objects for use at the meetings ; and the Council wish parti- 

 cularly to record their appreciation of his valuable assistance. 



Tour Secretary has originated a method of collecting specimens 

 of the sea-bottom obtained by captains of vessels from the 

 soundings they take in ascertaining their position on approaching 

 land ; and many shipmasters have been furnished with envelopes 

 in which to preserve those specimens for this Section. The plan 

 promises to be highly successful ; upwards of eighty specimens 

 have been received from different parts of the world, such as the 

 English Channel, Mediterranean and Red Seas, Coasts of Portu- 

 gal and Brazil, deep Atlantic and deep North Pacific, Coasts of 

 Japan, &c., &c. Amongst those of the Pacific Ocean are the 

 deepest soundings from which material has yet been brought up 

 from the sea-bottom, say 3030 fathoms, or nearly 3^- miles ; the 

 quantity of material is necessarily small ; and so far as yet 

 examined, in this specimen no trace of organic bodies has been 

 found. Arrangements are in progress for the scientific exami- 

 nation and mounting of these soundings, some of which will be 

 laid before you this evening. About 1200 envelopes have been 

 distributed, mostly amongst captains now out on distant voyages. 



