Tue MIcroscore. 63 
OUR THIRD ANNUAL SOIREE. 
c. H. STOWELL. 
HE students of the Microscopical Laboratories of the Uni- 
versity, under the direction of the Editors of this journal, 
gave their third annual soiree on the evening of February 8th, 
in University Hall. Eighty five exhibitors explained their 
specimens to over 600 people. The following is copied from 
the first page of the programme for that evening: 
“The number on the programme corresponds to the number 
of the Microscope. The exhibitors will be pleased to explain 
each specimen to any one who may request it of them. Please 
consult the glossary on the fourth page. By referring to the 
programme it will be noticed that all the specimens will be 
changed at 8:45. 
The University owns 120 compound microscopes. Their 
present value is estimated at over $6,000. Not included in this 
estimate are a large number of extra glasses and accessories, 
among these is a Spencer one-fiftieth objective now valued at 
$250, also a large Beck binocular “ International” microscope 
stand valued at $400, recently purchased. In the ‘ Microscop- 
ical” laboratory practical instruction is given in the study of 
vegetable histology, in pharmacology and in the detection with 
the microscope of adulterations of foods and drugs. In the 
“ Histological” laboratory the minute structure of the more 
important tissues and organs of the body is studied. The 
exhibitors this evening represent about one-fourth of the whole 
number of studentss who are engaged each college year in this 
work. Last year the student prepared over 5,000 of these 
mounted preparations for their own use. It is proper to state 
that a large number of the specimens exhibited this evening 
are of a popular character and do not represent the work of 
students in the laboratories.” 
We have a few of these programmes left, (not over a dozen) 
and if any society is interested in giving soirees we will gladly 
mail them a copy for inspection. We copy the following from 
Every Saturday of Detroit: 
‘* Notwithstanding the inclement weather a large crowd was pres- 
ent at the soiree of the Microscopical Society. The seats had been 
removed from the large lecture room of the main hall, middle college, 
