1893.] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 179 



MICROSCOPICAL NOTES. 



Fine \Vriting. — Some time ago a Paris paper offered a prize 

 for the best specimen of microscopic handwriting, and several 

 wonderful examples of skill with the pen were sent in by com- 

 petitors. The winner of the prize was a man who had copied 

 out in full on a postcard the contents of the first two pages of a 

 big newspaper. Another candidate, ingeniously alluding to the 

 famous incident, wrote on an egg an account of the career of 

 Columbus. A third submitted the 19,000 words of Francois 

 Copp^e's novel of '•'■ Henrietta," written on the back of a cabinet 

 photograph. The doers of such feats seem to have small regard 

 for their eyesight. 



Decay in the Apple Barrel. — Prof. Byron D. Halsted con- 

 tributes a fully illustrated article to the May Popular Science 

 Monthly upon this topic, and we recommend its perusal. 



MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETIES. 



Buffalo Microscopical Club. 

 Monday March 13^ i^gj. — The evening was devoted to a 

 manufacturers' exhibition of microscopes and accessories. The 

 following firms accepted and took part: Spencer & Smith, Buf- 

 falo; Qiieen & Co., Philadelphia; Joseph Zentmayer, Philadel- 

 phia; Bausch & Lomb, Rochester; Gundlach Optical Co., 

 Rochester; E. H. Griftith, Rochester. A reduction from cata- 

 logue prices was granted members of the club and physicians 

 on all orders placed with these firms during the evening. 



Michigan Teachers' Society of Microscopists. 



June 21, i8g2. — The first annual meeting was held in the 

 biological laboratory, Michigan State Normal School. Several 

 members were unable to attend, being still engaged in the closing 

 work of their schools in various parts of the vState. Progress of 

 the society during the past year was briefly reviewed by the presi- 

 dent. Wm. W. Wier, of South Frankfort, presented a paper on 

 the use of the microscope in school. Remarks by J. Q. Roode, of 

 Hanover, along the same line. Treasurer's report showed a small 

 amount of cash on hand, and no debts. Election of officers re- 

 sulted : president, C. D. McLouth, Muskegon ; secretary, F. E. 

 Andrews, Ypsilanti. 



This society was organized in June, 1S91, with a membership 

 small in number but enthusiastic for the object of the association, 

 which, in the language of the constitution, is " To encourage the 

 use of the microscope as an educational factor in the schools of the 

 State.'' The organization gives promise of usefulness, and in- 

 creased membership is desirable. 



