The MiCRO'scoPE. 381 



A perusal of tlie book will polish up some of the advanced 

 microscopist's half- forgotten knowledge and give the beginner 

 something to think about and to practise, as well as to remem- 

 ber and to use ever}^ time he looks through his microscope. 



The origin op life and species, and their distribution. — A 

 new theory outlined by George Davis. Read at [sic'] the Acad- 

 emy of Sciences, Minneapolis. Small 16mo., pp. 52, Price 15 

 cents. Minneapolis: C. D. Raymer. Indescribable trash and 

 unmitigated twaddle. 





Editor The Microscope : — 



I note in the abstract of the proceedings of the Washington 

 meeting of the American Society of Microscopists, the name of 

 the organization was changed to " The American Microscopical 

 Society." 



When the Society was originally organized in Indianapolis, 

 at the close of the Microscopical Congress, the name was care- 

 fully considered and the name now adopted was rejected for 

 the very good reason that it was the property of another organi- 

 zation, " The American Microscopical Society," of New York 

 City, of which 0. G. Mason, the photographer of Bellevue Hos- 

 pital, and Dr. Atkinson, the well-known dentist, were promi- 

 nent members. 



As the old American Microscopical Society was not, so far as 

 I can learn, incorporated, there is probably no legal question 

 involved in the " appropriation " of its name by the national 

 society, but there seems to be some question as to the ethical 

 propriety of the action. Yours very truly, 



Dunkirk, N. Y. Geo. E. Blackham. 



