376 The Microscope. 



a cross-bow, for opening it, the handle being fixed to the lower part, 

 of the egg by a membrane and the bow part of the lid. "When the 

 larvae is ready to emerge the cap flies off the egg-case. In the speci- 

 men shown under the microscope some of the covers were shown as 

 they had fallen off and were lodged on the bark. The eggs, etc., 

 had been mounted by Mr. Wickson in a deep cell, which, although 

 very simple, answered the purpose admirably. It consisted of the 

 neck and top flange of a homeopathic vial, the lower edge having^ 

 been ground flat and cemented to the slide. 



June 22, 1887. Series 2 and 3 of Walker & Chase's "New 

 and Rare Diatoms," consisting of photo- engravings of interesting 

 forms, with descriptive text, were donated by Dr. H. H. Chase. 



A communication was received from A. J. Doherty, of Man- 

 chester, England, the well-known preparer of microscopic objects, 

 announcing his intention of visiting this city in a few months. 

 Arrangements have been made with him for a series of demonstra- 

 tions of the most approved methods used in the preparing and 

 mounting of objects for the microscope, and from the admitted ability 

 of the gentleman in this line his discourses cannot fail to be interest- 

 ing and instructive. A series of slides mounted by him and com- 

 prising a wide range of subjects, were shown under a number of 

 microscopes last evening by J. G. Clark, and the excellence of work- 

 manship shown by these mounts, elicited the warmest commendation. 



The useful little device known as " Grifiith's Focus Indicator," 

 was shown by Mr. Riedy. Its object is to enable an approximate 

 focus to be obtained almost instantly, and to prevent the accidental 

 crushing of a slide or cover- glass by the objective, in focussing. 



Mr. Norris announced that through the kindness of Mrs_ 

 Ashburner he had come into the possession of a number of exquisite 

 slides, mounted by the late Prof. Ashburner, and comprising a num- 

 ber of preparations of the celebrated " original Santa Monica " find. 

 No better disposition could be made of these, Mr. Norris thought, 

 than to distribute them among the members of the Society, and this 

 he proceeded to do. As appropriate mementoes of a departed friend, 

 as evidences of his rare skill as a microscopist, and as the last 

 remaining examples of mounts from the remarkable fragment whose 

 history has been so closely connected with that of the Society, these 

 slides will be considered ti'easures by their fortunate possessors. 



Specimens of rich diatomaceous earths from near San Pedro,, 

 and from near Santa Monica, collected by Mrs. Bush, of Santa Jose, 

 were also handed in by Mr. Norris. 



A. H. Brechenfeld, Rec. Secretary. 



