1889.] MICKOSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 21 



increased in attendance considerably of late and preparations are being 

 made for a soiree in January next. 



Torry Botanical Club, New York City. 

 November 12, 1888. — Professor Schrenk read a paper on the inflor- 

 escence of Callitriche, illustrated by microscopical preparations, speci- 

 mens, and drawings. He held that the two bracts or sepals at the base 

 of the flower are in reality floats, as he had found them in C. hetero- 

 fihylla to be hollow and filled with air. 



Microscopical Society, Washington, D. C. 



8oth Meeting, Tuesday, September 2j, 1888. — Prof. Seaman gave 

 an account of the meeting of the American Society of Microscopists and 

 donated a copy of the " Proceedings." He called especial attention to 

 the papers of Prof. Smith and Miss Detmers. He presented a resume 

 of his work as curator. Three lines of acquisition are desirable — books, 

 apparatus, and slides. He had procured catalogues of all European 

 makers except two ; also the Abbe Condenser recently ordered by the 

 Society. 



Dr. J. M. Lamb showed and described a paraffine bath made by the 

 Boston Educational Supply Co. Dr. Taylor showed some colored 

 lantern slides made for him by Queen & Co., and described the man- 

 ner of preparing them. 



8 zst Meeting, Oct. g, 1888. — The annual election of officers resulted 

 thus :— President, Dr. Geo. N. Acker; Vice-Pres., Dr. I. W. Black- 

 burn; Cor. Sec, Dr. J.M.Lamb; Rec. Sec. Dr. E. A. Balloch ; 

 Treas., Mr. F. T. Chapman; Curator, Dr. Wm. H. Seaman. 



Mr. C. W. Smiley was elected an active member. 



Dr. Reyburn made a few remarks on the use of photography in mi- 

 croscopic work, saying that photography is comparatively a simple 

 thing if ordinary powers from 75 to 100 diameters are used. All that 

 is necessary is a microscope, a lamp, and a small camera ; a con- 

 densing lens may be substituted for the mirror. The focus is easily ob- 

 tained and a dry plate slipped in. An exposure of from 30 to 40 sec- 

 onds will give the desired result. By the contact process, pictures can 

 be taken without camera or microscope. Cover a plate with black 

 cloth, make an opening in it the size of the cover-glass, apply the slide 

 to this opening, and expose to light. The copy is, of course, the exact 

 size of the original. Dr. Reyburn also explained the process of de- 

 veloping. 



Dr. Taylor thought the exposure should be longer than usually stated. 

 Mr. Chapman said that some photographers used orange or yellow in- 

 stead of red light when daylight was used. 



Mr. Skinner gave a description of stellar photography. Prof. Sea- 

 man thought that photography was of great advantage in class dem- 

 onstration. 



Dr. Balloch gave an account of some work in photography done by 

 Dr. J. M. Lamb and himself during the summer. 



