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MICROSCOPY. 49 
Microscopy. 
The annual report of the Postan Microscoricat Socrnty for 1878 is an 
interesting document which every microscopist would do well to read. 
The Society has been in existence five years, and now consists of 140 
members, under the presidency of Mr. Tuffen West, F.L.S., &c. The 
Society was formed to meet a want long felt of a ready means of 
communication between Microscopists living at a distance from each 
other. The members are divided into sections or circuits, twelve in 
each, arranged geographically. At intervals of a fortnight the Secretary, 
Mr. Alfred Allen, 1, Cambridge Place, Bath, sends to each of the 
members whose names stand first in the several circuits a box of micro- 
scopical slides. These are retained for three evenings and then forwarded 
to the names second on the lists, and, after a like interval, are forwarded 
to the third names, and so on, till the circuits have been completed, the 
last recipient returning the slides to the Secretary, who then sets them 
once more in circulation, so that every member in turn sees every 
collection of slides, and is constantly supplied with fresh subjects for 
microscopic examination. ‘ 
But not only are microscopical slides, many of the highest 
interest, constantly distributed among the members, but very often they 
are accompanied by MS. descriptions, and elucidatory drawings 
which materially assist the study and appreciation of the more 
difficult objects. A society such as this, well and energetically managed, 
including many of our best microscopists among its members, cannot fail 
to be very useful. Some idea of the nature and extent of its operations 
may be gleaned from the Society’s last report, and the President’s 
address accompanying it, which, together with list of members, rules, 
&c., can be obtained from the Secretary. 
In consequence of a number of gentlemen of the medical profession 
having recently joined the Society, it has been arranged to circulate a 
special series of histological and pathological slides. These special 
slides will circulate almost exclusively amongst the medical members, 
at monthly intervals, in addition to the usual fortnightly box of 
slides which goes the whole circuit of the Society, whether members 
are medical or otherwise. The Society is also proposing, at the request 
of many members, to circulate a series of slides devoted to botanical 
subjects. These, after going the round of the contributors, it is proposed 
should go the whole circuit of the members. 
' The Society has recently issued a ‘‘ Classified List of Objects ” circu- 
lated among the members from the commencement of its existence to 
the end of its fourth year, (June, 1877,) and we do not think we are far 
wrong in stating that the list consists of 2,000 objects, many of them 
mounted by the members. Some measure of its usefulness and activity 
is indicated by this statement. 
Amongst the rules, which are all carefully drawn up and appear in 
every way fitted to meet the exigencies of a Postal Society, is one 
which provides that ladies may be members of the society. Another 
feature of this society, designed expressly for the purpose of promoting 
friendly feeling, is that each member on admission to the society is 
requested to send his or her carte de visite to the secretary, and as soon 
as a sufficient number are collected they are grouped together and 
reproduced in permanent photography, and sold to the members at the 
lowest remunerative price. We have seen a copy of the last-issued 
group, which contains seventy-three portraits, excellently arranged and 
well printed. This group makes us acquainted with the portraits of 
many well known microscopists, and with several who have contributed. 
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