192 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



with the aid of a Smith and Beck's student microscope, some rotifers. 

 He also showed, with Ladd and Field's instruments, some fern spores 

 and sections of woods. 



A number of microscopical drawings was exhibited by Dr. Sturt, 

 who presented them to the Society. 



Mr. Robert Scott, by means of a Smith and Beck's instrument, 

 exhibited some water plants, in the cells of which, though they were 

 of no greater circumference than a hole pricked in paper with a fine 

 needle, water could be seen circulating, going up one side and down 

 the other. He also brought a copy of Hooke's ' Micrographia,' pub- 

 lished in 1665. Dr. Wigg displayed a Ross's large monocular, a 

 Smith and Beck's educational, and a Baker's small binocular, and 

 also specimens of foraminifera. A curious exhibit was the tongue of 

 a gasteropod, or sea-snail, shown by Mr. Stone. But still more 

 curious were some objects shown by Mr. Barnard. Amongst these 

 were the gizzard of a weevil, and the tongue of a tarantula. He also 

 exhibited some Victorian foraminifera and diatoms. As most of his 

 objects were of Victorian production, they attracted special notice. 



Tower Hill Microscopical Club. 



This Society was formed about a year ago in connection with the 

 establishment of Messrs. Harrisons and Crosfield, of Great Tower 

 Street, City, and is the fii'st one in conjunction with the tea trade. 

 On Tuesday the 27th Jan. it held a conversazione in the extensive sale 

 room belonging to that firm. The objects exhibited numbered up- 

 wards of 150 ; and when it is mentioned that several members of the 

 Royal, Quekett, South London, Morleys, and other Microscopical 

 Societies, took part in the display, there is sufiicient guarantee that the 

 specimens were of the highest scientific importance, beyond being 

 interesting to the brilliant assembly who met on the occasion. The 

 following were amongst the objects, viz. : — 



Section of blow-fly, showing tracheal and nervous system, dorsal 

 vessel, and rectal papill09. The drum of a frog's ear. Puccinia malva- 

 cearum: fungus on leaf of mallow first appeared in England 1873. 

 Viscid thread of spider's web — Valisneria, showing the cyclosis. Egg 

 of parasite of pheasant — Lophopus cristallinus. Crystals of salicine. 

 Rolling stones polarized, &c., &c. 



In addition to these microscopical objects there were several cases 

 of very choice insects collected in various parts of Europe ; sea-weeds 

 carefully prepared, found in the Channel Islands ; photographs of 

 China, Italy, and other parts, of great value and interest, &c. The 

 mechanical piping bulfinch, which was fii'st shown at the Exhibition of 

 1862, also caused much amusement. 



The beauty of the building was enhanced by the judicious floral 

 display ; and these attractions, with the addition of the band of the 

 Great Tower Street Musicians, a Society emanating from the same 

 firm, tended to make the evening enjoyable and instructive. 



