240 NOTES AND MEMORANDA. 



rouud the skeleton, destroys the original plumpness of the sponge, 

 and thus alters considerably its general appearance externally as well 

 as the structui'e internally. Lastly, the colour under drying, as 

 before stated, may fade in part or altogether. Still there are some 

 things in a sponge which are seen better when diy than when fresh. 

 Such difficulties beset no other classification in natural history. But 

 what is to be expected otherwise, when, in addition to this, the 

 protean character of the sponge, whose transformations are endless in 

 the soft parts, and only approached in number by being stereotyped 

 in the harder ones, is considered ? 



NOTES AND MEMOKANDA. 



Soires of the Royal Microscopical Society. — On the 21st of 

 April, through the courtesy of the President, H. C. Sorby, Esq., F.R.S., 

 was held one of the most brilliant evenings that the Royal Micro- 

 scopical Society has enjoyed for many years. Ladies as well as 

 gentlemen were admitted, and it is but just to say that the microscopic 

 specimens exhibited were both vast in number and exceedingly original 

 in character. All the arrangements were of the most consummate 

 excellence, and the whole affair will be fully reported in our next 

 number. 



American Postal Micro-Cabinet Club. — We learn that a year's 

 experience in the working of this organization has already given it 

 the position of a useful and well-sustained institution. The first an- 

 nouncement of the formation of the club was so favourably received, 

 that an unexpectedly large number of members was enrolled, since 

 which time its membership has steadily increased until it now numbers 

 twelve circuits of members, distributed over tae whole country east of 

 the Rocky Mountains. With the exception of a remai'kably small 

 number of accidents to objects while in transit by the mails, which it 

 is believed will be still fewer in the future, the club has met with no 

 practical difficulties or disaj)j)ointmeuts. The general excellence as 

 well as the variety of objects contributed has been conspicuous ; and 

 tliose members, if there are any, who can learn but little from the 

 work of others in various departments of the science, must at least feel 

 that they have contributed widely to the advantage of others at very 

 little trouble to themselves. In addition to the circulation and study 

 of mounted objects, critical notes upon the same, questions and 

 answers, and announcement of duplicates for exchange, it is proposed 

 to add during tlie present year the exchange of microscojiic objects 

 and material, whether mounted or unmounted, not necessarily con- 

 nected with the slide contributed ; any member adding at the bottom 



