315 
a good deal of the aspect as if little groups of the larger clusters 
of granules, seemingly arising from the breaking-down of the 
original quiescent elliptic form, might afterwards assume the con- 
dition of the minute motile organism here drawn attention to, and 
acquire the active locomotive power; but he had not seen this, 
though indications seemed thus in favour of the assumption. And 
so remains this matter, so far as can be made out. 
Both these organisms, if not remarkably striking as show micro- 
scopic objects, formed a pretty and curious sight, withal not a 
little puzzling; if they have motory organs, they, as yet, elude 
observation. If they are well known, indeed, to other observers 
elsewhere, Mr. Archer trusted that those who might hereafter 
peruse this record would pardon our oversight, and throw a light 
upon the obscurity. These Minutes are but of what may be 
called a merely “gossipy” nature; if a “ mare’s-nest” be now 
and again part of our “ discoveries,’ those whose experience may 
have disclosed to them more of Nature’s arcana, if they be not 
quite in a position to contribute in removing the veil, will, it is to 
be hoped, at least regard such records as the present with a kindly 
forbearance. 
16th February, 1871. 
Dr. Macalister exhibited the new louse he had obtained from 
Ardea comata, and had named Colpocephalum marginatum in the 
last number of this Journal (‘ Quart. Journ. Micr. Science,’ 
vol. xi, n.s., p. 163). 
Dr. John Barker showed his new form of parabolic condenser, 
for use with high powers, from which he had got very satisfactory 
results. He was trying some further experiments in this direc- 
tion, and hoped soon to be able to exhibit to the Club some good 
effects he had obtained in its applicability to lined objects. 
Mr. Tichborne showed, under the microscope, a sample polarized 
of so-called terra alba, frequently used for adulterative purposes, 
which is ground selenite. 
Rev. Eugene O’Meara showed a slide of diatoms from 
America, containing many interesting and rare forms sent to him 
by S. A. Briggs, Esq., of Chicago, which, after he had had time to 
correspond with that gentleman, would form the subject of a 
future communication. 
Dr. Moore exhibited the pollen of an unknown plant sent to him 
without comment for identification, but the specimen was so 
fragmentary and incomplete it was impossible to decide upon it; he 
hoped shortly to become possessed of a more available specimen. 
The pollen, however, formed a very pretty microscopic object, 
triangular, the angles enlarged, like that of Onagracex, but it 
was certain that the plant in question did not belong to that order. 
Professor Thiselton Dyer showed a section of the stem of a fossil 
fern from the Lower Eocene of the Thames valley and named by 
