40 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



Scientific Evening of the Royal Microscopical Society, 

 Bee. 11, 1872. 



On the above evening a numerous company of Fellows assembled 

 in the great hall of King's College, kindly lent for the purpose, for 

 inspection of, and for conversation upon, the numerous objects of special 

 interest which were exhibited. Many of the physiological preparations 

 — such as Mr. Stewart's, Mr. Loy's, Mr. Needhani's, &c. — were ex- 

 tremely fine. The Appendicularia, exhibited by Mr. Alfred Sanders, 

 and a preparation, showing striped muscular fibre in the larva of a 

 tape-worm, attracted great attention. Mr. Penny, of Hereford, sent, 

 and Mr. Eeeves exhibited, a microscopic fungus, Helicomyces roseus, 

 new to this country. 



An opportunity, as will be seen from the subjoined list, was 

 afforded of comparing new objectives by eminent English and Con- 

 tinental makers. Messrs. Powell and Lealand exhibited an -g^h 

 and jVtb; Mr. Ross showed glasses of Mr. Wenham's recent con- 

 struction; while Mr. Hogg and Mr. Mayall showed the works of 

 Hartnack and Schieck. 



Dr. Pigott and Mr. Ingpen exhibited their methods of ascertaining 

 magnifying power ; and Mr. Stephenson showed with his binocular 

 arrangement fine specimens of fractured valves of coscinodisci, &c, 

 mounted in bisulphide of carbon, and viewed with an ^th. The effect 

 of this highly refractive fluid was remarkable for tho distinctness with 

 which it displayed details not seen when balsam is employed. 



Mr. Browning showed a set of diffraction bands, ruled by Nobert, 

 to exhibit a series of prismatic colours ; and a section of opals in the 

 matrix, from South America. 



Mr. Curteis exhibited a chigoe in situ; and Mr. Baker an elegant 

 slide of butterfly scales and diatoms, arranged to form a floral device. 



Mr. Ackland exhibited a slide of diatoms, grown on a glacier of 

 tho Phone. 



Mr. Swift exhibited a new and very small pocket microscope, 

 described by Professor Brown ; and Mr. How sent specimens of Dr. 

 Guy's hand microscope. 



The Council have to thank Mr. Baker, Mr. How, Messrs. Home and 

 Thornthwaite, and Mr. Norman, for their kindness in lending lamps. 



The subjoined list is not as complete as could be wished, as several 

 exhibitors omitted to supply names and descriptions of their objects. 



The Council observed, with great satisfaction, that many Fellows 

 came from long distances to be present on this occasion, and much 

 gratification was expressed by all who attended this second Scientific 

 Meeting of the present session. 



Objects and Apparatus Exhibited. 



Mr. John Mayall, jun. : A new immersion No. 8 objective, made 

 by M. Prazmowski, of the firm of Hartnack and Co. Of this, Mr. Hogg 

 observes, — " This objective has a focal length of about one-sixth of an 

 inch, and has been specially made for physiological investigations. 

 Its defining power and clearness of image were admirably displayed 



