630 



Microscopical Society of London. 



March 17, 1852. — Geo. Jackson, Esq., President, in the chair. 



L. S. Beale, Esq., Dr. Hamilton, and C. C. Smith, Esq., were bal- 

 loted for and duly elected members of the Society. 



A paper by Geo. Shadbolt, Esq., entitled ' Hints on the subject of 

 Collecting Objects for Microscopical Investigation,' was read. In 

 this paper the author gave a brief account of the mode of collecting 

 Diatomeaj, Desmidise, and other Algae. He also mentioned several 

 localities where such objects are to be met with, more particularly 

 noticing the neighbourhood of Northfleet and Bromley, in Kent. He 

 described the necessary apparatus, and also pointed out the various 

 appearances assumed by the objects sought for. He also gave many 

 useful directions as to the mode of securing them when found. 



Mr. De la Rue described an instrument, constructed by Mr. Peters, 

 for producing minute writing on glass. Specimens of the writing were 

 afterwards exhibited to the meeting. 



April 28, 1852. — Geo. Jackson, Esq., President, in the chair. 



R. Shuter Boswell, Esq., the Rev. W. Read, Robt. Ceeley, Esq., 

 Dr. Kingsley, and Jas. Hilton, Esq., were balloted for and duly 

 elected members of the Society. 



A paper by J. B. Simonds, Esq., ' On the Occurrence of a Mem- 

 branous Cell, or Cyst, upon the Olfactory Nerve of a Horse, con- 

 taining a large Crystal of Oxalate of Lime,' was read. In March last 

 a pupil of the Royal Veterinary College found, on dissecting the brain 

 of a horse, a small, transparent cyst, possessing a very bright or glis- 

 tening aspect, attached to a portion of the olfactory nerve. It was 

 supposed to be an hydatid ; but upon examining it under the micro- 

 scope, with a two-inch object-glass, a large octahedral crystal of oxa- 

 late of lime, with beautifully-defined facets, was seen floating freely in 

 a limpid fluid which distended the walls of the cell. The exact size 

 of the crystal was not stated ; but it can be very readily seen by un- 

 assisted vision. The author concluded with some observations on the 

 frequent occurrence of carbonate of lime in herbivorous animals, and 

 the rarity of the production of oxalates. 



May 26, 1852. — Geo. Jackson, Esq., President, in the chair. 

 F. C. T. Roper, Esq., E. W, Cooke, Esq., and Henry Coles, Esq. 

 were balloted for and duly elected members of the Society. 



