286 PEOCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



visitor was an extraordinary double-erecting binocular, wbich enabled 

 two persons to examine tlie same object at once. This instrument, 

 exhibited and invented by Mr. J. W. Stcj^benson (of the Council of 

 Royal Microscopical Society), was considered to be quite a novelty and 

 a speciality of the evening. Captain Tyler displayed sections of 

 Japanese glass-rope sponge, and many otlicr rare specimens of si)ODge, 

 both silicious and calcareous. Dr. Millar had on view several beau- 

 tiful objects; the Rev. T. Wiltshire and Mr. Hilton displayed 

 admirably-mounted objects — spicules in flint, and spicules out of chalk. 

 Mr. Burr contributed a series of photographs showing the different 

 phases of the moon ; Mr. Butler exhibited a beetle's eye, magnified 

 400 times, on every facet of which was to be seen the second-hand of 

 a watcli, and as each of these hands moved simultaneously, some 

 speculation arose as to the cause of this somewhat singular phe- 

 nomenon. It was courteously explained that the eye was transparent, 

 and that the second-hand of a watch had thus been reflected upon each 

 facet, which produced this amusing ojitical delusion. 



Dr. Braithwaite, Vice-President of the South London Microscopical 

 and Natural History Club, exhibited a palate of a water snail ; Mr. 

 Ackland, a group of young oysters, shown by the aid of a new side- 

 light reflector ; Mr. F. Hovendeu, one of the Infusoria ; Mr. Robinson, 

 an admirable sjjccimen of native gold ; Mr. Cottrall, a five-poimd 

 Bank of England note, magnified to its normal size ; and a collection 

 of selected diatoms. Mr. How (inventor of a new and improved 

 microscope lamp with porcelain sha<les) exhibited the pollen of the 

 marrow ; Mr. Rogers, abdomen of a foreign bee, which excited much 

 attention ; Mr. Jackson, two admirable mountings of a fungus on an 

 elm leaf, and wing of a Brazilian butterfly ; Mr Neighbour, a number 

 of brilliant glass stereoscopic views, princij)ally illustrative of Swiss 

 scenery ; pieces of mignonette and chrysanthemums, splendid objects. 



Mr. Alpheus Smith, of the Quekett Club, exhibited specimens of 

 the microscopic moth, Cemiostoma lahurnella, and Salicine ; Mr. 

 Asbury Green, palpus of cardinal spider ; Mr. Quick, foot of 

 Dytiscus, toe of mouse, and head of gnat ; Mr. Groves, a parti- 

 cularly good specimen of crystals of chlorate of j)otash ; Mr. Burgess, 

 section of yellow water-lily and grouji of young oysters ; and Mr. Gay, 

 the new Nudibranch {Emhletonia Grcujii) ; and the same in a larval state. 



Mr. T. Charters White, of the Royal Microscopical Society, 

 exhibited a yoimg crab ; Mr. W. T. Suffolk, lips of blowfly ; Mr. 

 J. Smith, Barbadoes Polycistina ; and Dr. Millar, floreated spicules 

 of Euiilectella, in situ. 



Mr. E. George, of the Forest Hill Microscojiical Club, exhibited a 

 specimen of the fructification of Chara ; Mr. Martin Burgess, a foot 

 of lady-bird ; Mr. Burt, DicJcsonia Antarcitica ; Mr. J. R. Furneaux, 

 parasite of canary ; Mr. Thomas Rabbits, leg of diamond beetle ; 

 Mr. Goddard, Polycistina ; Mr. E. F. Jones, a microscope of the last 

 centu7-y, and dental plates of Opliiocoma rosula ; Mr. Westbrook, larva 

 of water newt, showing circulation of blood. 



Amongst the makers of optical instruments were Mr. W. F. 

 Stanley, of London Bridge, Messrs. Murray and Heath, Mr. James 



