173 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [September, 
A slide of anthrax bacilli in the kidney of a guinea-pig was added to the cabinet by 
Dr. Mouser. He stated that the animal had been inoculated with these bacilli from a 
pure culture grown in his laboratory. Seventy hours after inoculation the animal died, 
and its lungs, kidney, and other organs were found crowded with the bacilli in question. 
In the kidney they were found in the capillaries, very plentifully in the Malpighian 
tufts, but not at all in the tubules. 
President Wickson brought an interesting gathering of fresh-water alge, in fruit, from 
Berkeley. It contained a species of Sfzrogyra, which was apparently new, and it was 
therefore referred to the Secretary for determination. 
A specimen of the insect Pentatoma, the eggs of which had been shown at a previous 
meeting, was received from Dr. Gray, of Benicia. 
Prof. F. L. Clarke, of Honolulu, was unanimously elected a corresponding member. 
The gentleman, being present as a visitor, was introduced to the meeting, and, after 
tendering his thanks for the honor conferred, gave an interesting account of microsco- 
pical matters in the Hawaiian Islands. After narrating the career of the microscopica 
society which once existed there, he stated that he had been commissioned by the 
King (who, it seems, takes more interest in scientific matters than is generally supposed ) 
to perfect arrangements for the systematic exploration and study of the natural history 
ofthe Islands. With this end in view, Professor Clarke announced that he had already 
established connections with a number of specialists of this country and Europe, for 
the purpose of furnishing them with specimens of the fauna and flora of the Islands 
for study and determination, In further pursuance of this plan he said that the San 
Francisco Microscopical Society would be plentifully supplied with collections of objects 
suitable for microscopical investigation, and also that it had been selected as an agent 
for the distribution of such material to societies with similar aims in other parts of the 
world. The wonderful richness of the Hawaiian cryptogamic flora was alluded to, and 
the hope expressed that by the opening up of this comparatively unexplored field of 
study to the scientific workers of the world, results of the highest value would be 
obtained. 
Copies of Gavarret’s work on Optics and of Robins’ ‘ Couris d’Histolgie " were 
donated by Charles C. Riedy. The same gentleman submitted very handsome designs 
of a monogram and slide label for the society’s use. On motion the designs were 
approved, and Mr. Riedy’s offer to prepare the cuts therefrom was accepted with thanks. 
After receiving the report of ex-Treasurer Howard, the society adjourned to the 1oth 
prox. J. H. BRECKENFELD, ec. Secy. 
) 
The regular meeting of the San Francisco Microscopical Society was held in the 
society's rooms on August roth, President Wickson and a large number of members 
being present. In the absence of Secretary Breckenfeld, Dr. C. P. Bates, of Berkeley, 
acted as Secretary. 
Among donations to the cabinet were four slides of tubercular bacilli from Dr. Riehl, 
of Alameda, stained with different preparations. William Norris presented a recently 
issued part of Walker & Chase’s series of ‘New and Rare Diatoms.’ Mr. Norris 
remarked the singular beauty of some of the newly-discovered diatoms. Those shown 
were from the Barbadoes deposits, a locality which has yielded many finds of foraminif- 
era. 
Professor Henry G. Hanks read an interesting paper, illustrated by diagrams, con- 
cerning a diamond found in this State. The first diamond, he said, was found by Mr. 
Lyman, of New England, who saw in 1850, in the new gold mines, a crystal about the 
‘size ofa small pea. It was slightly straw-colored and had convex faces. From that 
time to the present these gems have been occasionally found in our State, but never in 
large numbers nor of unusual size. Professor Hanks said it has been long his opinion 
that if hydraulic mining had been allowed to continue a system of concentration would 
have been adopted which would result in a larger production of gold and platinum and 
in the finding of more diamonds. At the present time we know of the existence of 
diamondsin five counties in the State, as follows: Amador, Butte, El Dorado, Nevada, 
and Trinity. It is not unlikely that they may yet be found in California more plenti- 
fully than before. 
A very beautiful and remarkable diamond has lately come into the possession of J 
Z. Davis, a member of the Microscopical Society, and this one Professor Hanks sub- 
mitted for examination. It was found in 1882 at Volcano, Amador. county, by A. 
Schmitz. It weighs 0.361 grammes, or 5.570 grains, equal to 1.571 carats. Itisa 
modified octahedron about three-tenths of an inch in diameter, very nearly if not quite 
