( 37 ) 

 NOTES AND MEMORANDA. 



A New Microscopic Lamp was exhibited by Mr. J. Browning at 

 the last meeting. We have not had time to examine it thoroughly, 

 but it appears to be a considerable improvement on those now in use. 

 We therefore call attention to it. We shall probably describe it in 

 our next issue. 



Croydon Microscopical Club's Soiree. — We alluded to this in 

 our last number, but unfortunately were unable to do more. Now, 

 however, the Proceedings have been placed in our hands, and we are 

 enabled to give some account of the soiree of a Society which has not 

 been a year in existence (in fact, not much more than six months), and 

 which already numbers over 124 members, and has the good fortune of 

 being under the presidency of Mr. Henry Lee, F.L.S., F.E.M.S., who 

 is almost solely responsible for the laboiu- involved in the recent con- 

 versazione. The soiree given in connection with the club on Wednes- 

 day evening, the 23rd ult., was a fashionable and brilliant affair ; it 

 was not only attended by the principal families of Croydon and the 

 neighbourhood, but also by several persons of distinction, among whom 

 may be mentioned the Japanese ambassador and his secretary, who 

 appeared to take a deep interest in the large variety of objects which 

 Mr. Lee brought under their notice. Three tables, covered with green 

 baize, extended along the entire length of the hall, and others all along 

 the walls, leaving, of course, sufficient space for the visitors to pro- 

 menade, and examine the numerous objects of interest which were 

 presented for their inspection. That in the centre was reserved for 

 members of the Linnaean Society, the Eoyal Microscopical Society, the 

 Quekett Microscopical Club, and the Old Change Microscopical Society. 

 The tables to the right and left of the centre were reserved for makers 

 of optical instruments, of whom a large number greatly contributed to 

 the success of the soiree by their exhibition of about 75 microscopes. 

 The tables around the sides and end of the hall were occuj)ied by the 

 members of the Croydon Microscopical Club. The space at our dis- 

 posal will not permit us to enter into a description of the very nume- 

 rous and interesting objects that were exhibited under the hundred 

 and forty microscopes on the tables, but we may mention the names of 

 some of the gentlemen who kindly contributed to the enjoyment of the 

 company. Commencing at the centre table, we observed the names of 

 the Rev. T. Wiltshire, Captain Tyler, Drs. Mimdie, Matthews, Giffard, 

 and Murie ; Messrs. Loy, P. J. Butler, W. L. Freestone, Quick, W. 

 T_. Eabbits, Charters White, W. S. Kent, C. Stewart, Suffolk, Francis, 

 Piper, Thomas, and Brown. The manufacturers in attendance were 

 Messrs. Ross, Mui'ray and Heath, Baker, Moginie, R. and J. Beck, 

 Collins, Swift, Bailey, Stanley, and Wheeler. The members of the 

 Croydon Microscopical Club exhibited in strong force. Mr. Ridley 

 and Mr. Cooper (coachman and gardener to Mi*. Ridsdale, of Coombe- 

 lane, Croydon) exhibited six cases of English butterflies and beetles 

 most artistically arranged ; and Mr. Skinner (carpenter on the estate 



