NOTICES OF MEETINGS, 2 
the Society. Lectures bave been given on three occasions on the following 
subjects connected with microscepical work : January 16, on “ Pollen and the 
fertilisation of flowers,” by Mr. W. W. Midgley ; March 5, on “Some forms of 
microscopic fungi,” by myself; April 23, on “‘ The microscopic examination of 
mollusca, with special reference to the palate,” by Mr. Jackson. A conver- 
sazione was held in the Albert Hall, Bolton, on the evening of Friday, Novem- 
ber 21st, (1879) which was well attended, and gave general satisfaction ; but 
which did not materially improve the financial position of the Society owing to 
the expenses incurred in its preparation. The total number of members on the 
books of the Society during the year was 50. We have now in the Society, 
members and associates, the associates being elected members when they be- 
come possessed of microscopes. This arrangement has been found to work 
extremely well, as it allows a novice to pick up information respecting micro- 
scopical work, and to obtain the best information respecting the purchase of an 
instrument. The Society is in a sound position financially, having a good 
balance in hand, besides a considerable number of articles necessary for the 
working of the Society, which have been obtained from time to time, as neces- 
sity required. The Society possesses a good collection of mounted objects, and 
a handsome cabinet, owing to the generosity of one of our members, Mr. Slater, 
of Dunscar. I cannot close my review of the work of the Society without re- 
ferring to the great loss which we, asa Society, have sustained by the long 
illness and death of our talented and much-lamented treasurer, Dr. Redmayne. 
During the whole time since the formation of the Society he had its well-being 
at heart, and few knew better than myself how deeply he regretted that he was 
prevented from assisting in the work of the Society by his failing health. I am 
sure that each member of the Society felt that he had lost a dear friend when 
he heard that the doctor was no more. His pleasant smile and genial manner 
will long be remembered by us, and failing this his name will live as the founder 
of the Bolton Microscopical Society. This reminds me that another who was 
present at our last conversazione has passed away. I refer to S. M. Bradley, 
Esq., the talented lecturer, who described in such glowing terms the beauties 
which lie hidden in a pool of sea water. In conclusion, I would say that the 
Society is firmly established on a substantial basis, and as an educational means 
is doing much to foster a love of nature and to provide healthy recreation for 
leisure hours. Much has been done, but more may be done, and it rests with 
each member of the Society to use his utmost endeavours to sustain and in- 
crease its reputation in the wide field of action and usefulness that has been 
opened out. 
The President then delivered his address which was listened to with much 
interest, but which owing to want of space we can only give in abstract. He 
said : Ladies and Gentlemen,—It is my pleasing duty once again on behalf of 
the Bolton Microscopical Society, to welcome our friends who have come to 
spend an evening, peeping into our mysterious and, to the unaided eye, unseen 
world. It is difficult to believe that since we last met a whole year has passed 
away, and the thought is tinged with sadness as we recall the memory of those 
who added so much to our evening’s enjoyment twelve months since. Last 
year we had a grand display of curious forms of life contributed from our ordin- 
ary world by the Directors of the Southport Aquarium. ‘This year, under the 
direction of Mr. Bolton and Mr. Shipperbottom, we have drawn from our un- 
seen world creatures more grotesque, more singular, and perhaps some of them 
more beautiful than anything we had here then. As we examine them, our 
interest is first attracted by their appearance, is then riveted by their singular 
habits, and as we study them more closely, we become perfectly entranced with 
wonder and admiration at the skill displayed in adapting them to their positions 
in life, and arming them against its dangers. Some of theth we find have 
two or three distinct methods of increase to suit the different positions in 
which they find themselves. Others are capable of being dried up for years, 
