910 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 



Mr. Collins exhibited a portable form of his histological Micro- 

 scope, the special feature of which was the folding-up of the heel- 

 piece of the tripod. 



Mr. Curties exhibited several of Zeiss's pocket and dissecting 

 microscopes. 



Mr. Crisp exhibited and described (1) Guillemare's School 

 Microscope (see p. 669) and (2) Prof. Abbe's Eefractometer, for 

 readily ascertaining the refractive index and dispersive power of 

 fluids to be used for homogeneous immersion. 



Mr. Kratschnitt's (New Orleans) six slides, four of which were 

 s actions of the ovaries of plants, were exhibited in support of the 

 author's view of the fertilization of the ovule. 



In the letter accompanying them, the writer said " the sections of 

 the ovaries may go to show that the theory of the fertilization of the 

 vegetable ovule by means of the pollen-tubes requires overhauling. 

 See Amer. Mon. Micr. Journ., June 1882." 



Dr. Maddox exhibited photographs of microscopical objects, 

 printed by the platinotype process, which he found very suitable for 

 scientific work, the paper being of fine texture, and capable of giving 

 minute detail. (See Brit. Journ. of Photography, Sept. 15th, 1882.) 



He also exhibited and described some new forms of warm and 

 moist stages, which he exhibited in the room, and further explained 

 by means of diagrams. 



The President said that the stages were very simple, and very 

 easily used, and would doubtless be of great use in examining blood 

 and other objects, which it was desired to keep at an even, warm 

 temperature. 



Mr. J. W. Groves exhibited and described his improved ether- 

 freezing microtome (see p. 755). 



Mr. Stewart said that his own experience was that the ether method 

 of freezing was a great advantage, for the full range of temperature 

 was at command. It was only necessary to take care that the freezing 

 was not overdone, so as to make the subjects brittle. A little practice 

 enabled a person to control the temperature at will. 



Mr. Kitton's note was read describing the results of his examina- 

 tion of the diatom material, sent by Mr. W. F. Petterd from Tasmania, 

 which contained several interesting forms, but no new genera or 

 species. 



Mr. T. B. Rosseter's paper " Eesearches on the Life-history of 

 Stephanoceros Eichornii," was read, and illustrated by drawings 

 enlarged on the black-board. 



Mr. Crisp said that the author of the paper was worthy of every 

 possible encouragement and commendation, as his observations were 



