142 
NATURE 
1870 
[Decmae, 

balance in hand, when all expenses are paid, is incon- 
siderable. We do not wish to be misunderstood when 
we express our opinion, founded upon personal observa- 
tion, that a large proportion of those who attend the 
summer excursions look upon them as merely pleasant 
afternoon rambles, and that of those who patronise the 
soirées, many go as they would to any other entertainment, 
without the slightest interest in Natural Science. There 
are good workers at Manchester—men, who from early 
youth have been strongly imbued with a love of nature, 
and who have done, and are doing, good service to science ; 
and to their influence must be attributed the good effects 
which such a body certainly produces in spite of draw- 
backs, But, under the circumstances, it appears to us 
that instead of the somewhat lengthy, though interesting 
report, which is issued annually, containing detailed 
notices of the localities visited and papers read, which 
will be of little value to posterity, lists of the natural 
productions of the district, similar in plan to that pub- 
lished by the Folkestone Society, should be issued. One 
such list—that of the Mosses, by Mr. G. E. Hunt— 
appeared in 1864; and if only on the ground of showing 
that some real work is done, and of allowing the workers 
“fair play,” a portion of the funds should: certainly be 
devoted to the placing on permanent record, for the 
benefit of future observers, complete lists of the flora and 
fauna of the district. More especially at Manchester is 
such a record needed, inasmuch as the Committee advo- 
cate the establishment, “in places where they are likely 
to become permanently established,” of plants foreign to 
the district, and of freshwater mollusca. This suggestion 
appears to’ us, under any circumstances, unadvisable ; 
and unless some record is kept of such introductions, 
it must, if carried out, prove both misleading and 
injurious. 
Those who contemplate the establishment of a field-club 
on a small scale will do well to content themselves with 
moderate beginnings. ‘The subscription should be low— 
say 2s, 6d.; patronage should not be sought, but rather 
discouraged ; and every pains should be taken to show 
that no class distinctions would be considered of the 
slightest importance in matters connected with Natural 
History. In one society, with which we were intimately 
connected, we well remember the difficulty we had to con- 
vince an intelligent working man, with a genuine love for 
science, that he was a welcome addition to*our ranks ; 
and it is only by judicious management that such can be 
induced to co-operate with those who are considered their | 
superiors. 
The High Wycombe Natural History Society, another 
of those which has aimed at popularising science, holds 
monthly evening meetings during the winter at the houses 
of some of the principal members. These meetings 
partake somewhat of the nature of a conversazione, tea 
and coffee are handed round, papers are read, objects dis- 
played, and the evening concludes with an exhibition of 
the microscope. Despite all care, however, the intention 
of these gatherings has been somewhat lost sight of, and 
they have grown to be looked upon as mild forms of dis- 
sipation. To remedy this, the plan is to be adopted of | 
holding fortnightly, between the general meetings, in- 
struction classes, which only those who are willing to 
work are expected to attend. Each of these will last from 

an hour to an hour and a half, and be devoted to some 
one special point; and the benefit resulting from this 
arrangement seems likely to be considerable. 
A great point to be remembered by those who are en- 
gaged in organising a local Society is that it is by no 
means to be desired that a large number of members 
should be enrolled ; in fact, when once the body is esta- 
blished, and its existence generally known, we would solicit 
no one to join it. Those who really care for the thing, 
and are therefore likely to be useful members, will come 
forward readily enough to lend a helping hand; but those 
whose assistance has to be sought will probably be of but 
little use, even if it be obtained. 
Thesubject of locai museums in connection with Natural 
History Societies is now exciting some attention ; and we 
have intelligence of the recent establishment of one at 
Folkestone upon what seems to be a satisfactory basis. 

THE PHYSIOLOGICAL LABORATORY AT 
LEIPZIG* 
INCE in England we have absolutely no physiological 
laboratory open to students, an account of the best 
in Germany (there are many others) will be interesting to 
the public. Perhaps some day the University of Oxford 
may think it desirable to erect such a laboratory to match 
that recently provided for Experimental Physics. There 
is plenty of money which the colleges could use for this 
object, if once they were freed from the old restrictions by 
the aid of the Government. 
“The physiological Jaboratory, where I am at present 
working, owes its existence to the energy of Prof. Carl 
Ludwig, and to the liberality of the Government of Saxony. 
As it is universally acknowledged to be the most complete 
establishment of the kind in Europe, it seems to me to 
merit a somewhat detailed description. The building, as 
may be’seen by the annexed plan, has somewhat the form 
of a horseshoe, with a smail projecting portion in the 
middle, where the lecture-room is situated. The dimen- 
sions are—on the north and south sides, 1roft. 2in. : on 
the east side, 121ft. 11in. The right wing of the building 
constitutes the microscopical department, the left the 
chemical department of the laboratory, while the central 
portion is devoted to the study of experimental physiology 
in the narrower sense of the word. 
““To describe the rooms more minutely. Room A is 
arranged for the accommodation of beginners in the study 
of microscopy, and is furnished with boxes that contain the 
microscopes, and a large ground-glass tablet, by means of 
which the lectures on microscopy are illustrated with — 
drawings in coloured chalk. Room B is the private study 
of the assistant in microscopy. Room C is intended for 
more advanced students in microscopy, and contains an 
injecting apparatus, by means of which three different 
fluids can be injected simultaneously under any required 
pressure and for any length'‘of time, while the injection 
mass and the tissue to be injected are heated over a water 
bath. Room D contains a small library, consisting of 
such books as are most needed for constant reference. 
Room E is furnished with glass cases, in which physiological 
apparatusis kept when not in use. Asa rule, no experiments 
* From the Boston Medical and Surgical fournal. Letter fom Dr. H. 
P. Bowditch. 

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a 
