The Microscope. 200 



be plainly seen in the photographs sent. Specimens of butter-crys- 

 tals had been prepared by the Secretary and were shown as resplend- 

 ant objects under polarized light. Favorable comments were made 

 on the excellent work done by this branch of the Government, in 

 breaking up the traffic in unwholesome and fraudulent "butter 

 compounds." 



Specimens of the interesting little alga Chlamydococcus pluvi- 

 alis were sent in by Dr. H. W. Harkness, The bright-red globose 

 cells bear a strong resemblance to those of C. nivalis — the micro- 

 scopic plant producing the phenomenon know as "red-snow." A 

 slide of the latter, gathered in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, near 

 Donner Lake, was also exhibited to show the close similarity between 

 the two plants. In fact, the later authorities are inclined to regard 

 them as not specifically distinct, but difFering only in habitat. C. 

 pluvialis being the plant as found in rain-water, and C. nivalis as 

 found in snow. The cells possess the remarkable property of 

 retaining vitality after being kept dry for years, for as soon as mois- 

 ture is supplied, vegetation again commences. 



Communications were read, requesting exchanges of diato- 

 macese, and of native gold crystals. 



A committee, consisting of Prof. Hanks, Mr. Hyde and Col. 

 Kinne, was appointed for the purpose of compiling and perpetuating 

 the early history of the society. 



Chas. C. Keidy exhibited a slide of Foraminifera under dark- 

 field illumination, the latter being obtained in remarkable perfec- 

 tion by means of the Bausch and Lomb form of Abbe condenser. 



A committee was appointed for the purpose of arranging de- 

 tails for the annual reception, to be held on the 28th inst., and the 

 society adjourned for two weeks. 



A. H. Brechenfeld, Secretary. 



M 



BALTIMORE MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. 



EETING of May 16th, 1887, the President, Prof. G. L. Smith, 

 A. M., in the chair. 



OBJECTS EXHIBITED, BY THOS. COLEMAN. 



(HISTOLOSICAL.) 



1. Nuclei of the muscle fibre of the Necturus. (Lizard fam- 

 ily, stained with gold-chloride.) 



2. Small intestine of the rat (plexus of Meissner). 



3. Small intestine of the rat (plexus of Auerbach). 



