180 
PKOCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
private secretary ; Archdeacon Stoke, of New Zealand ; and Mr. 
Samuel Johnson, arrived at the hall shortly before eight o’clock, and 
the proceedings were at once commenced. 
There were a great number of microscopes exhibited, some of them 
being of great power. Among the principal objects of interest shown 
dining the evening were the following : Diatoms, or minute fossilized 
vegetable deposits, showing beautiful markings on their surface ; 
foraminifera, or small marine animals — those found on Australian 
and New Zealand shores are very beautiful ; infusoria, animalcules 
generally prevalent in infusions of organic matter ; rotifera, having 
cilia on their bodies, giving the appearance of wheels in action ; 
polyzoa, animals for the most part microscopic in their dimensions, 
found in most pools, streams, and on the shores, very interesting 
objects for anatomical examination, as well as for observation in the 
living state — some supposed new species will be exhibited ; insect 
dissections, which form a large and interesting branch of microscopy, 
plant cells and seeds ; circulation in foot of frog and water worms, 
and the ciliary motion in the gills of the mussel ; one of the greatest 
curiosities was the cocoon of the leech ; crystals shown with the 
polariscope ; microphotographs, of which wonderful results have been 
effected ; wool-classifying apparatus. Some very fine microscopes of 
great magnifying power were also exhibited by Messrs. F. F. Balliere 
and Co., of 104, Collins Street East. There were also some handsome 
cases of Australian and exotic beetles, which were a source of great 
attraction during the evening. 
Mr. Ralph, the President of the Society, having taken the chair, 
the Secretary (Dr. Robertson) read the following report : 
The committee of the Microscopical Society of Yictoria, in 
presenting their first annual report, are pleased to be able to give 
such good accounts of the state of the Society, both in its working and 
financial aspects. The Society was formed twelve months ago, and 
held its inaugural meeting in this hall on the 10th October, 1873. 
At that time it consisted of thirteen members. The number has now 
increased to thirty-six. The subscriptions amount to 54/. 12s., and 
the expenses to 23/. 19s. 10c/., thus leaving a balance in hand of 
30/. 12s. 2c/. The committee desire in the first place to express their 
thanks to the council of the Royal Society for the kindness and 
liberality in granting the free use of this hall, both at the inaugural 
and this their first annual soiree ; also to acknowledge with thanks the 
following presentations to the Society in their order : Microscopical 
drawings, by Dr. Sturt; a collection of Victorian insects, by Mr. 
Wooster, of Narree Warreen ; vol. vi. ‘ Flora Australicnsis,’ by Bentliam 
and Mueller, from the Government ; . a number of valuable books as a 
loan to form the nucleus of a library of micrographical works, by Mr. 
Sydney Gibbons ; some deep-sea soundings from H.M.S. ‘ Challenger,’ 
by Professor Wyville Thomson and Mr. Murray; some deep-sea 
soundings from the neighbourhood of King’s Island, by Mr. S. S. 
Crispo, of H.M.C.S. Victoria; also some beautiful stalactites from the 
same gentleman. Besides these, numerous objects, mounted and un- 
mounted, have at various times been presented, and others promised, 
