writer) of these minute forms of vegetable life. The paper was listened 

 to with greatest interest, and will appear in the transactions of the society. 



In reference to the very able paper of Mr. Harrop, Mr. Allport stated 

 that one very strong argument against the Desmidiese belonging to the 

 animal kingdom — in which they have by some naturalists been included — 

 was the entire absence of anything like a digestive cavity. Mr. Allport 

 also observed that many, and probably quite new varieties of the 

 Desmidiese were to be found in the salt swamps of the colony. 



Mr. Abbott suggested that Mr. Harrop' s paper should be forwarded to 

 the Eoyal Microscopical Society of London, who he thought 

 would print it in their journal, and at the same time illustrate it by 

 engravings from the drawings. This society could then procure a copy 

 by applying for it. 



The Secretary brought forward a communication from Mr. A. Biggs, of 

 Bothwell, "on a method of making microscopic measurements," for 

 which Mr. Biggs claims some advantages over those in general use. As, 

 however, the hour fixed upon for the microscopical soiree was now ap- 

 proaching it was determined that the reading of the paper should be 

 postponed till the next meeting, when it might obtain a more lengthened 

 consideration. 



The thanks of the meeting were given to the donors of presentations, and a 

 special vote was accorded to Mr. Harrop for his valuable contribution. 



The meeting then terminated, and the Fellows proceeded to tho 

 microscopical exhibition in the large room of the museum. 



Here a number. of microscopes, each supplied with a variety of objects, 

 were collected. Mr. F. Abbott, by means of a powerful standard instru- 

 ment, brought under notice many exquisite forms of the first order of 

 diatomaceae, also beautiful specimens of marine plants parasitic upon 

 algae and zoophytes, together with many other objects of great interest. 

 Mr. Abbott also contributed a large number of enlarged photographs of 

 microscopic objects beautifully executed by Dr. Maddox. Another 

 instrument shown by Mr. Abbott was a dissecting microscope on the plan 

 adopted by the celebrated Darwin, and fitted with a large doublet 

 designed by him and used in all his experiments. Under this power was 

 exhibited a series of metallic objects. 



With another instrument of binocular construction Mr. Abbott, 

 junior, shewed a choice series of botanical sections, chiefly colonial. 



Mr. Morton Allport contributed one of the most beautiful objects of 

 the evening in the volvox globator, of which the incessant rotatory 

 motion, and delicate traceries were well displayed, and excited general 

 attention. 



Mr. W. Stone exhibited rotifers and animalcules from rain and pond 

 water, some of which were magnified to 480 diameters. 



Numerous crystals of salts under the varied and beautiful changes 

 produced by polarised light were exhibited by Mr. W. Knight, junr. ; 

 and Mr. Napier also shewed many crystals under similar circumstances, 

 together with some forms of minute animal life, such as polyzoa, &c. 



Mr. T. Westbrook provided a binocular microscope, and shewed a 

 variety of selected objects. 



Mr* Legrand exhibited for the society specimens of Foraminiferee col- 

 lected by himself at Sandy Bay — also spores of ferns, which were 

 examined with great interest by most of the visitors present. 



The society also furnished an interesting collection of the hair and fur 

 of indigenous animals, also a number of objects illustrative of insect 

 structure, with microscopic photographs, &c. 



The meeting broke up about 10 o'clock, when the numerous visitors 

 departed highly gratified with the exhibition, which had been organised 

 expressly on their behalf. 



