220 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
and also the want of a suitable medium for permanent mounting of 
specimens ; the inefficiency of Canada balsam was shown by speci- 
mens otherwise mounted (fluids) exhibited in contrast, although 
balsam might answer best for dark ground and polariscope investi- 
gations. 
The so-called whale hair was handed round the tables—a sub- 
stance showing most of the microscopic properties of both hair and 
bone. The excellent felting properties of the hairs of the Carni- 
vora and Rodentia was dwelt upon, and also the striking differences 
in those of the Ruminantia. 
The adulterations practised by some workers in ornamental hair 
- was illustrated by specimens mixed with hair from the alpaca and 
some species of goat. 
Beautiful slides from the Ornithorhyncus and Gopher (from the 
banks of the Mississippi, Iowa) were compared ; the only two kinds 
examined having the combined properties of wool and hair from 
the same root. 
Mr. Ball, of Brigg, in Lincolnshire, read a very interesting paper 
“On the Anatomy of the Snail,” which was illustrated by exquisite 
dissections and preparations of all the principal organs. ‘The lan- 
guage of ordinary comment fails to give due expression to the 
Society’s appreciation of this gentleman’s labours and microscopic 
productions. 
Mr. Stather effectively exhibited the powers of the binocular 
microscope. 
A paper ‘‘On the Stings, Ovipositors, and the cutting parts of 
the Proboscides of Insects’? was produced by Mr. Hanwell, show- 
ing the general resemblance of these parts, in some instances as to 
nearly appear identical. The nature of the true sting was shown, 
the incising apparatus attached to the head compared with it, and 
a classification made of the forms of the instruments used, from the 
simple lancet to the more complicated apparatus of the highly 
organized insects; the beautiful adaptation of means to ends, as 
exhibited in the various kinds of ovipositors, was dwelt upon. The 
paper was well illustrated by numerous slides prepared by this 
gentleman. 
Dr. Kelbourne King delivered an article ‘On the Nervous Tis- 
sues,”’ illustrated by slides of the nerve-cells, of considerable interest 
and beauty, and calculated to awaken the further attention of ana- 
tomists and physiologists to these very important structures. Pre- 
parations variously mounted in naphtha solution, glycerine and 
gelatine—the two latter both plain and coloured with carmine— 
were handed round, but, notwithstanding the beauty of carmine 
preparations, in these instances the naphtha solution appeared to 
afford a more minute structural detail. 
Mr. Hendry exhibited the saccharo-polariscope, and the opposite 
order of colour phenomena of grape and cane sugars, with great 
effect ; also delivered a paper, with illustrations, ‘‘ On Spermatozoa,’ 
in the absence of Dr. A. M‘Millan, otherwise engaged; and upon 
a third occasion introduced the subject of the connective tissues. 
