1888.] MICKOSCOPIOAL JOURNAL. 37 



MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETIES. 



Montreal Microscopical Society. 



The annual meeting was held October lo, 1887, and the following officers elected : — 

 President, D. P. Penhallow ; Vice-President, J. Stevenson[Brown ; Secretary and Treas- 

 urer, A. Holden. 



At the meeting of November 14 the president read a paper on ' The Microscope as 

 an Aid to Research.' 



At prior monthly meetings in 1887 the following papers were read : — Rules for Dis- 

 tinguishing Animal from Vegetable Organisms, by Very Rev. Dean Carmichael. Bac- 

 teriological Methods, by Dr. J. B„ McConnell.' Modes of Mounting Objects for the 

 Microscope, by J. Stevenson Brown. Use of the Microscope in the Inspection of Meat, 

 by A. W. Clement. Chalk as seen through the Microscope, by Rev. Dr. Smyth. The 

 Determination and Results of Minute Materials, Physiologically and Microscopically 

 Considered, by Dr. Wanless. 



Washington, D. C. — E. A. Balloch, Secy. 



December ij, 1S87. — 69th meeting. Dr. Theobald Smith, of the Bureau of Animal 

 Industry, described the development of the microscopic methods, and some special 

 features in the use of the microscope in the study of bacteriology. 



Dr. Smith said, in answer to queries of Drs. Balloch and Reyburn, any person 

 having a knowledge of the microscope, and a fair acquaintance with what has been 

 done in bacteriology, is competent to study it. Of course he will need high-power 

 lenses, and a condenser will be indispensable. The other apparatus required is 

 neither numerous nor costly. The microscope is only one of the methods used in 

 studying bacteria. We must often check and prove our microscopical observations 

 by the use of culture methods. Two bacilli, so much alike that we cannot differentiate 

 them by the microscope, will give entirely different results when submitted to culture 

 tests. If it be desired to mount preparations of bacteria, I have found xylol-balsam 

 the most convenient medium. It does not remove the color from stainings. The 

 analine dyes now furnished seem to be as permanent as could be reasonably expected. 



NOTICES OF BOOKS. 



Guide to the Student in Botatiy. By Edward S. Burgess, A. M. Washington, D. C. 

 1887. Pamph. pp. 44. 



The present work is intended for the use of students in the Washington High School. 

 It supplies them with the outlines of their course in botany, furnishes directions for 

 modes of procedure in laboratory work and in original investigation. It is also intended 

 to convey such information regarding the department as will be wanted by parents and 

 others interested. A portion of the matter is entirely new ; another portion has been 

 in use for four years in the school as a syllabus of the botanical course. It is now re- 

 written with such adaptations as have been suggested by experience. The aim of the 

 author is twofold, viz: — 'To promote habits of close observation,' 'and to secure a 

 knowledge of the life of plants.' The synopsis is a very complete one for the purpose, 

 requiring the pupil to observe the more conspicuous and easily studied facts in the 

 course of anatomy and systematic arrangement of the Phsnoganes. There is read- 

 ing or lectures upon the finer structure and the preparation of brief essays or theses 

 embodying the results of original observation on such topics as these : — i . Runners : — 

 a, characters ; b, variation in same species ; in same individual ; c, trace development. 

 2. Twining of stems ; — a, twining only one way ; examples ; exceptions ; b, degree of 

 curve — where, when, and how developed ; c, sweep of tip — when active, what radius, 

 in how many internodes ; d, effect of irritation ; e, action on reaching object ; /, revers- 

 ing the sweep. 



There are forty of these outlines for observation. The only question we can see as 

 to the usefulness of such. a very complete guide as Prof. Burgess has presented is the 

 ability of the teacher who has charge. It is pretty safe to say that no teacher dare 

 stir far from the ancient path as trodden by the numerous plant analyses, etc., unless 



