San Francisco Microscopical Society. 23 



read at its meetings, by eminent specialists, papers of great value 

 on all subjects pertaining to microscopy. Its work has been rec- 

 ognized and appreciated by kindred societies in America and 

 abroad, especially by the Royal Microscopical Society of London. 

 It is the intention of the society to publish its history and pro- 

 ceedings at an early day, including some of the valuable papers 

 read at its meetings. 



MEETING OF JUNE 25TH. 



At this meeting William Payzant exhibited a find of fresh- 

 water polyzoa from Lake Temescal, Berkeley, which proved very 

 interesting and attractive to the members present. The colony 

 shown was of the genus Plumatella, but the specific name has 

 not yet been determined by Mr. Payzant. Indeed he is in doubt 

 whether it has before been observed and named. So lar as re- 

 corded, this is the first find of Plumatella ever noted in this vicin- 

 ity. Nothing could have been more beautiful than the hundreds 

 of fully expanded tentacles, gently waving in the drop of water 

 on the stage of the microscope, and Mr. Payzant received the 

 congratulations and thanks of all present. 



The genus Plumatella consists thus far ot twelve named species, 

 of which nine are British. The name is a diminutive noun, from 

 pluma, a feather, and indicates at once the distinguishing charac- 

 teristic of the genus The coenoecium is composed of a series ot 

 membrano-corneous tubular cells, each of which constitutes a 

 short ramulus with a terminal orifice, with branches distinct trom 

 each other, and from these orifices the tentacula protrude and 

 gently wave in the water in search of food. 



EDITORIAL. 



The Scientist has lost another friend in Dr. G. W. Barnes, 

 whose protrait is given this month. His article advocating cre- 

 mation, which appeared in our preceding volume, was widely 

 read, and created much interest in the subject of the sanitary dis- 

 position of the dead. Consistent to the last, he provided in his 

 will for the incineration of his body, which was performed at Los 

 Angeles. His valuable, thoujih not voluminous, writings mainly 

 treat on medical subjects. He bequeathed the San Diego So- 

 ciety of Natural History a valuable lot of scientific books, in- 

 cluding a set of the reports of the Mexican boundary and Pacific 

 Railway surveys. 



P. C. Truman, ot Volga, South Dakota, contributes an inter- 

 esting article on the butterflies of San Diego to this issue. He 

 desires to enlist young naturalists in the collecting of his favorite 

 insects, and we advise those who are interested in this study to 

 correspond with him. 



