90 



to see the beautiful arrangement which exists in nature in the adapta- 

 tion of the various organs to the special habits and mode of life of the 

 different classes of animals. 



At the close of the scientific addresses, the Rev. E. C. Bolles, Sec- 

 retary of the Portland Society of Natural History, alluded in a most 

 eloquent manner to the great good which such meetings as this were 

 doing for the cause of education, and how such institutions as the 

 Essex Institute were advancing, not only the scientific and intellect- 

 ual, but also the moral tone of the community. In conclusion, the 

 speaker called upon the people to see that an institution like this, 

 which, by its publications, its collections, its library, its meetings, its 

 manufactory of microscopic sections, illustrating the minute anatomy 

 of animals, and its workers in the various departments, was doing so 

 much to advance the great cause of popular education, should not fail 

 in its efforts from the want of warm and active support. 



At the close of Mr. Bolles' remarks the settees were removed, and 

 an hour was passed in examination .of the objects under the micro- 

 scopes. These objects were mostly prepared by Mr. E. Bicknell ex- 

 pressly for the meeting, and were very fine, the sections of teeth, 

 especially, being beautifully prepared. There were thirty-four first- 

 class instruments on the tables, each arranged to illustrate some ob- 

 ject explanatory of the remarks of the various speakers. 



A larger number of microscopes of first-class makers has probably 

 never been brought together in this country before. About half past 

 ten o'clock the meeting adjourned, and those present spent a few hours 

 in a social manner in the supper-room and hall, where, with the 

 assistance of music, all seemed to enjoy themselves. The microscopes 

 had, in the mean while, been removed to the hall below, and the more 

 scientifically inclined remained for several hours comparing instru- 

 ments and objects. Mr. Stodder here exhibited a four-tenths objective, 

 made by Tolles, and fitted with Mr. Tolles' new arrangement for the 

 illumination of opaque objects, which is accomplished by a prism fit- 

 ted into the mounting of the objective between the front pair of lenses 

 and rest of the combination ; light being thrown into this prism is re- 

 flected downwards through the front pair of lenses, illuminating the 

 object in a beautiful manner. 



There were thirty-four microscopes exhibited at the Hall, compris- 

 ing twenty-two different patterns, of fourteen different makers. The 

 most noticeable feature of this exhibition was the improvement which 

 has been effected in a few years in stands, eye-pieces, and objectives, 

 the method of adapting the different parts, and the illumination of 

 opaque objects for examination with high powers. 



The following is a list of the microscopes, with the objects shown 

 and powers used. 



