40 THE NORTHERN MICROSCOPIST. 
zoophytes, by Mr. R. Brauer; and living specimens of fresh-water sponge 
(Spongilla fluviatilis), by Mr. H. C. Chadwick. 
A practical mounting class has been formed in connection with the Society, 
at the meetings of which much information is disseminated, often of an original 
and interesting nature, the result of the experience of its various members, The 
Rey. J. G. Wood has consented to lecture at the forthcoming soirée in February. 
The ordinary monthly meeting of this society was held at the Manchester 
Mechanics Institution, on January 13th. John Tatham, Esq., president, in 
the chair. 
The paper for the evening was by Thomas Brittain, Esq., on Dry ROT, but 
owing to the business lasting until ten o’clock, this subject was not reached, 
and no conversazione took place. The time of the meeting was taken up in 
considering alterations of the rules, which had been proposed by a special com- 
mittee appointed at the previous meeting to consider the subject. 
MANCHESTER CRY PTOGAMIC SOCIETY.—Meeting, December 2oth, 
Dr. Carrington presiding. The Honorary Secretary read the minutes, along 
with a copy of the Annual Report, read at the previous Meeting. After con- 
firmation, the Secretary announced that he had received the first three parts of 
Dr. Braithwaite’s new work, on the British Mosses (author’s proof), from the 
Author for the use of the Society. The thanks of the Society were cordially 
given to Dr. Braithwaite for his very considerate gift. The officers for the en- 
suing year were duly elected. Dr. Carrington, F.R.S.E., President ; Mr. Thos. 
Brittain, Mr. P. G. Cunliffe, Vice-Presidents ; H. Hyde, James Cash, and Thos. 
Entwistle, Members of Council. Mr. W. H. Pearson, Librarian ; Mr. T. Rogers, 
Secretary. The future Meetings of the Society will be held in the Free Reference 
Library, King Street, on the third Monday in each month, at 7-30 p.m. 
Dr. Carrington read his memoir of Mr. A. Stansfield, of Todmorden, the late 
general president of the Todmorden Botanical Society, so well known for 
scientific attainments, self-culture, and his love of British plants; the Ferns 
however, were his especial favourites ; and at his fernery in the Vale Gardens, 
might be seen a collection not equalled in Britain for the number of species and 
varieties, which were indigenous to Britain. 
To those who have not read Mr. Waugh’s poem, called—“ Eaur Folk,” we 
might refer them to a few lines in that poem, descriptive of Mr. Stansfield’s 
character, where he says— 
“Eaur Abraham studies plants ; 
He caps the dule for moss and ferns, 
And grooin’ polyants.” 
Mr. Stansfield’s life and Botanical associations were intimately interwoven 
with the life and labours of the late John Nowell, the Bryologist, who was the 
constant companion of his youth, his manhood, and his old age. Rarely have 
two lives like Stansfield’s and Nowell’s run so sweet and lovingly together; both 
having an humble origin. Unfortunately, Nowell’s mosses were so lowly and 
uncared for that they brought him little else than a simple, happy life ; whilst 
Stansfield’s love of ferns was taken at a tide which bore him on to fortune. But 
this made no difference in the friendship of the two men, and it might often be 
seen that Nowell’s humble mosses were screened from withering winds by the 
graceful fronds of Stansfield’s ferns. 
After the reading of Dr. Carrington’s memoir, the time of the Meeting was 
occupied by an examination of 24 species and varieties of British Sphagnacez, 
which had been beautifully mounted by Mr. P. G. Cunliffe. 
MANCHESTER SCIENCE ASSOCIATION,—One of the Microscopical 
Evenings of the above Association was held in the Memorial Hall, Albert 
Square, on January 11th. The subject chosen being Diatoms, and the exhibitor, 
Mr. Tozer, who, unfortunately, was unable to be present owing to ill-health ; 
