74 The Microscope. 



ensued as to the roost successful methods of treating refractory 

 earths. 



Dr. Stallard called attention to the recently published accounts 

 of the investigations by the microscopist of the local Board of 

 Health with reference to the finding of Bacillus tuberculosis in 

 milk supplied by certain dairies in this city. As the subject was one 

 of great practical importance, and as the official named had 

 expressed his willingness to confer with the society in the matter, 

 it was decided to appoint a committee for the purpose of examining 

 the subject, and Drs. Stallard, Ferrer and Mouser were designated 

 as members of such committee. 



Prof. Edward S. Holden, the eminent astronomer and President 

 of the University of California, was unanimously elected an honorary 

 member of the society. 



Among the objects exhibited was a handsome mount by Thomas 

 Clarke, Birmingham, England, of the rare and beautiful crustacean 

 Leptodora hyalina. Until a few years ago it had not been found in 

 Great Britain and its first discovery there created considerable 

 interest. It was found swimming among masses of a minute alga 

 {Clathrocystis ceruginosa). Mr. Breekenfeld stated that some three 

 years ago a small pond or reservoir in the Presidio contained the 

 same alga in such prodigious quantities as to give the water the 

 appearance of thick, green paint. Knowing this to be a habitat of 

 Leptodera, he had specially searched for that organism, but without 

 success. After some months the immense masses of Clathrocystis 

 disappeared, and, strange to say, had not again been seen up to the 

 present time. 



January 26. Dr. S. M. Mouser presided. D. W. Parkhiu'st of 

 this city was elected a resident member. 



Dr. Stallard reported from the committee, to which was refeiTed 

 the investigation of the alleged finding of Bacillus tuberculosis in 

 milk supplied by dairies of this city. He stated that several confer- 

 ences had been held by the individual members of the committee 

 with the Microscopist of the Board of Health, but owing to the 

 amount of work and time necessary for the full investigation of the 

 subject, a complete report could not be presented. He was of the 

 opinion that the method of Ehrlich, used in the preparation of the 

 slides of milk submitted to the committee, would have to be modified, 

 as while it was perfectly successful when applied to slides of sputum, 

 its results were not so satisfactory for determining Bacilli in milk, 

 owing, probably, to the fact that the oily matter in the latter inter- 

 fered with the proper color reaction of the contained organisms. In 



