PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
221 
entire series of diatoms on tlie Midler’s test-plate. A pamphlet was 
also received from Dr. Geo. E. Blackham, of Dunkirk, New York, 
giving the history of the cases of trichiniasis caused by eating the 
diseased pork, of which specimens had previously been sent to the 
Society. From this article it appears that the dreaded trichina is by 
no means so uniformly fatal in its effects as is ordinarily supposed. 
Nevertheless, cases are on record where competent medical men 
estimate that 1 cubic inch of muscular fibre contained 85,000 of this 
parasite. 
A pamphlet was also received containing an article by Dr. Chris. 
Johnston, of Baltimore, identifying a deposit of earth found on the 
banks of the Patuxent, in Maryland, as being of the same origin and 
composition as the well-known Bermuda “ tripoli.” The microscope 
at once demonstrated the identity of the two deposits, both being 
made up of the fossil shells of diatoms, invisible to the naked eye, 
but here aggregated in such countless numbers as to form extensive 
tracts of land. Prepared specimens were also received from Mr. 
Frank Miller, of New York, and Mr. H. G. Hanks, of San Francisco ; 
for all which a vote of thanks was passed. 
The President, Dr. Cutler, read a paper “ On the Microscopy of 
the Cyclops,” and also gave some new and interesting facts regarding 
certain diatoms found in the same specimen of water. Dr. Cutler 
states that he has detected in these organisms undoubted cilia, by 
means of which their peculiar and puzzling movements are effected. 
In this connection an interesting discussion was had as to how far 
motion is to be accepted as undoubted evidence of animal life. — 
Cincinnati Medical News. 
San Francisco Microscopical Society. 
The regular meeting of the San Francisco Microscopical Society 
was held in its rooms on Thursday evening, April 22, President 
Ashburner in the chair. In addition to a very full attendance of 
members, Professor Wm. H. Brewer, of New Haven, J. B. Bond, 
of New York, Dr. J. N. Eckel, Dr. Henry Terrer, Dr. Murray More, 
D. J. Staples, H. L. Hosmer, and W. N. Lockington, were present as 
visitors. 
The Secretary announced the receipt of the April number of the 
‘ Cincinnati Medical News,’ containing valuable microscopical items ; 
three numbers of the £ World of Science’; and from Mr. R. H. Ward, 
the ‘ Kules of the American Postal Micro-Cabinet Club,’ with a letter 
desiring that a circuit be organized on the Pacific coast. Messrs. J. 
H. Carmany and Co. donated the May number of the ‘ Overland 
Monthly,’ and Dr. Harkness presented a printed copy of his paper 
read before the Sacramento Society for Medical Observation, in April, 
1868, regarding Salisbiu’y’s Ague Theory, which is a very interesting 
article to all microscopic botanists, and controverting the theory 
advanced. Mr. H. Edwards presented ten papers of a series on 
“ Lepidoptera of the Pacific Coast.” 
To the object cabinet, Mr. W. II. Walmsley, of Philadelphia, 
