150 THE MICROSCOPE. 



President McCalla's annual address was given in Weber Music 

 Hall on the evening of Tuesday. He announced as his theme The 

 Verification of Microscopical Observation. The subject was dis- 

 cussed in a comprehensive manner and in that rare style, the result 

 of a gift, which held the attention of his hearers whether specialists 

 or not. 



At this meeting several important reports were received. 

 The committee on eye-pieces reported through Dr. Blackham. The 

 report favors naming oculars, like objectives, by their equivalent 

 focal lengths in English inches. It also favors one or more standard 

 sizes for the tubes of oculars; the standard medium size recom- 

 mended is 1.25 inch, with the alternatives of 1 inch and 1.35 inch 

 for those who wish smaller or larger tubes. The diameter .75 inch 

 for the upper tube of the ocular, and 1.50 inch diameter for sub- 

 stage tube are recommended. The matter will receive further at- 

 tention next year. 



Prof. W. A. Rogers presented an exhaustive report upon a 

 standard centimeter made by the United States Bureau of Weights 

 and Measures, and presented to the National Committee on Microm- 

 etry, of which Prof. Barnard is chairman and Dr. R. H. Ward 

 secretary. The National Committee tendered it to the American 

 Society of Microscopists, by which it was accepted and placed in 

 charge of the custodian of the society, Dr. Fell. A committee was 

 appointed to frame rules for its control and use. The skill bestowed 

 in its preparation, the great labor by Prof. Rogers in comparing it 

 with standards, and the fact that the society has by resolution 

 adopted it as a basis for future studies and discussions in microm- 

 etry, render this small piece of platinum-iridium cemented to a 

 brass plate with silver solder of exceeding interest and value. 



THE RECEPTION. 



A pleasant feature of the annual gathering of the society is the 

 soiree which occurs on some evening during the progress of the 

 meeting. This year was no exception and the grand reception and 

 conversazione at the Calumet Club House on Thursday evening, 

 August 9th, participated in by the society and the State Microscop- 

 ical Society of Illinois, stands clearly first in the history of the 

 society. The particular exhibitions cannot be mentioned; it is safe 

 to say they were of an excellent character and in most cases excel- 



