The Microscope. 51 



TQembership. The special entertainment of the evening was a dem- 

 onstration by Rev. D. W. Smith, of the use of the oxy-hydrogen 

 lime light, as a means of illumination of the microscope. Mr. Smith 

 has devoted considerable time to the effort of producing a light for 

 the illumination of the microscope, which should possess sufficient 

 intensity for the resolution of the liner tests with lenses of moder- 

 ate powers. Mr. Smith demonstrated before the meeting, last even- 

 ing, that he could, by using the lime light, resolve, clearly, the lines 

 on certain test diatoms, with an objective which would not show 

 them at all with any other light, no matter how manipulated. This 

 fact is a discovery, the honor of which rests entirely with Mr. Smith, 

 so far as known; and we should be glad to hear something from 

 others who have been experimenting in the same direction. The 

 next meeting will be held on the last Monday in December, when 

 George K. Collins will read a paper entitled, '' Diatoms, what they 

 are, and how to see them." Will H. Olmsted, Secretary. 



WELLESLEY COLLEGE MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. 



''' I *^HE Society held its first meeting for the year the evening of 

 -■- October 30. It took the form of a conversational and was 

 most enjoyable. Slides were exhibited by some of the members; 

 also certain living objects. The chief feature of the evening was the 

 exhibit of slides presented by Mr. J. D. King, director of the Micro- 

 scopical department of the summer school at Martha's Vineyard. 

 As specimens of mounting they are unsurpassed, and there was 

 much discussion of his method, and desire to imitate it. Among 

 the exhibits were sections of pine foliage and ferns, showing double 

 staining. There were some beautiful odontifores, some hydroids 

 mounted by a new process, while yet alive, so that they appear as if 

 just from the sea. Some specimens^of the crystals of beef fat, pre- 

 sented by Dr. Thomas Taylor of the Agricultural Department at 

 Washington, were exliibited by polarized light, and the considera- 

 tion of the oleomargarine controversy was reserved for a future meet- 

 ing. Votes of thanks to the interested friends who had contributed 

 so greatly to the interest and instruction of the evening and to the 

 permanent collections of the Society, were heartily passed. 



Friday evening, Nov. 5, the Society tendered a reception to Dr. 

 C. E. West, of Brooklyn, although it must be confessed that the 

 entertainment was furnished by the guest. Dr. West has in his 

 possession a collection of historic and modern microscopical appar- 

 atus, which has few eqvials, and he kindly brought on some rareties 

 to show to the Society. AmonP- these were some TnmmtAfl nhianfR 



