249 



MICROSCOPICAL SECTION 



aI(§odetj3 of §outlt^xx0tralia. 



ANNUAL REPORT, 1887-8. 



In presenting their annual report the Committee regret to 

 state that the attendance at the monthly meetings is still small, 

 as only a few of the members evince any real interest in micro- 

 scopical research, most of them using their microscopes only as a 

 means of amusement or relaxation in their spare hours. Still, 

 great interest has been taken in the meetings by those who 

 attended, and it is felt that much information has been derived 

 from the mutual discussions on the various subjects introduced,, 

 particularly as many of the members are beginners in the use of 

 the microscope. It is much to be regretted that the medical men 

 of Adelaide do not more warmly suj)port the Section, as in most 

 cities they form the bulk of the members of the microscopical 

 societies, and are the most able and earnest workers. 



The Committee regret to have to report the loss of one of its 

 energetic members (Mr. R. L. Mestayer, F.R.M.S.), who has re- 

 moved to Sydney. There have been also several other resigna- 

 tions through removal to the other colonies during the year. 

 Amongst them we would mention Mr. H. C. Mais, late Engineer- 

 in-Chief, who, on leaving, presented to the Section a valuable 

 collection of microscopical magazines, bound and unbound, which 

 will form the nucleus of a library. 



Mr. Mestayer also presented us with his Beck's Students'' 

 Microscope for use at the meetings. 



The number of members at the present time is 38. The average 

 attendance during the year, at the monthly meetings, has been 

 nine. 



The subjects discussed at the meetings were as follows : — 

 Oct. 11. Exhibition of objects, including those from excursion. 

 Nov. 8. Polariscope apparatus, by Mr. F. S. Crawford. 

 Mar. 13. Grinding and mounting Echinus spines, by Mr. J. Col- 

 bourne. 



