"ouX^^Mayri^'to.'] PROGBESS OP MICROSCOPICAL SCIENCE. 253 



vascular cylinder interrupted by long slender meshes from which the 

 vascular bundles of the petioles spring, and a parenchymatous cortical 

 layer. The author described the arrangement of these parts in detail, 

 and indicated their agreement with the same parts in Osmunda regalis. 

 He did not venture to refer the Fern, to which this stem had belonged, 

 positively to the genus Osmunda, but preferred describing it as an 

 Osmundites, under the name of 0, Dowheri. The specimen was 

 silicified, and even the starch-grains contained in its cells, and the 

 mycelimn of a parasitic Fungus traversing some of them, were per- 

 fectly rein-esented. 



The Diagnostic Value of Blood-coiyiiscles in the Urine. — An important 

 paper, illustrating the value of the microscope in its application to 

 medicine, which was published some time since in the ' American 

 Journal of Medical Science,' has been sent to us in reprint form by 

 the author, and we commend it to the notice of our medical readers. 

 The paper is one containing a great deal of original observation, and 

 sujiplying a number of details not to be found in even the best treatises 

 on Eenal diseases. 



Microscopic Crystals in Gems. — In connection with the excellent 

 paper which Mr. Sorby some time since communicated to our columns, 

 we would call attention to a very instructive memoir which, though it 

 was read nearly twelve months since before the Philadelphia Academy 

 of Natiu'al Sciences, has only recently been published, and unfor- 

 tunately too ■RT^thout figures, if we may judge from the proof-sheets 

 which have reached us. In a previous j)apcr the author describes his 

 observations on Garnets. In this he remarks on the microscopic 

 structure of Sapphire, Garnets, Labradorite, Black Felspar, Barite, 

 Amethyst, and Kuby. 



The Egg of SacculincB. — Those interested in this subject will be 

 glad to know that M. Ed. Van Beneden has replied to the obser- 

 vations of M. Balbiani, which were some time since reprinted in these 

 columns. 



The Foraminifera obtained during Dr. Carpenter s last Expedition. — 

 In contrast with the specimens obtained during the ' Lightning's ' 

 dredgings, Dr. Carj)enter, in his recent lectiu'e before the Royal Insti- 

 tution, says that the Foraminifera collected in the ' Porcupine ' ex- 

 pedition present featiu'es of no less interest, though their scale is so 

 much smaller. The enormous mass of Globigerina-mud (sometimes 

 almost piu'e, sometimes mixed with sand) that everynv'here covers the 

 deep-sea bottom in the region explored, save where its temperature 

 is reduced nearly to the freezing-point, may be judged of from the 

 fact that in one instance the dredge brought up half a ton of it from a 

 depth of 767 fathoms. The resemblance of this deposit to chalk is 

 greatly strengthened by the recognition of several characteristically 

 Cretaceous types among the Foraminifera scattered through the mass 

 of Globigerinfe of which it is principally comj^osed ; as also of the 

 Xanthidia, frequently preserved in flints. Not many absolute novelties 

 presented themselves among the Foraminifera that form true calca- 

 reous shells ; the chief point of interest being the occurrence of certain 



