336 PEOOEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 



experiments, but found at first a good deal of difficulty. He had, how- 

 ever, been more successful by treatment with dilute sulphuric acid, 

 and then staining the cells, by which means he proved most con- 

 clusively that the cells were connected with each other. In reply to 

 a question from Mr. Bennett, he stated that he had experimented with 

 different parts of Geranium, Vallisneria, and other plants, and had been 

 successful in every case. 



Prof. Reinsch's paper on " Bacteria and Microscopic Algae on the 

 surface of Coins in currency," was read by Mr. Crisp, in which the 

 author described the constant presence of large numbers of different 

 species of bacteria and algse on all silver and copper coins which have 

 been several years in currency. 



The President said that in the form in which these facts were 

 presented, they were new to him, but he did not think the subject was 

 in itself wholly new, for it had been observed by others that similar 

 organisms existed on tool handles, such as pliers, &c. By taking 

 off the slight deposit found in the cross lines, or on the handle of an 

 engraver's tool, or of a saw, and putting it into water, an abundant 

 supply of bacteria could be obtained. Whether those described were 

 indigenous to the copper, or whether they were simply there as 

 desiccated forms of deposited putrefactive organisms, he was unable 

 to say, though he thought the latter to be the more likely. 



Prof. Abbe's note " On the Distance of Distinct Vision " was read 

 by Mr. Crisp, and discussed by Mr. J. May all, junr., Mr. Beck, and 

 Mr. Crisp. 



The following Instruments, Objects, &c., were exhibited :— 



Herr E. Bocker : — Improved Freezing Microtome. 



Mr. J. Cheshire : — Ovary of Apis mellifica (hive bee) showing the 

 spermatheca at the junction of the oviducts. 



Mr. Crisp : — (1) Schieck's No. 8 Microscope. (2) Watson's Kevol- 

 ving Stage. (3) Collins' Set of Fish Scales. (4) Section of Hydroid 

 Polyp with extended tentacles (by Mr. E. Ward). 



Mr. Massee : — Two slides illustrating his paper, and showing the 

 continuity of protoplasm in Callithamnion and Ptilota. 



Mr. J. Mayall, jun. : — Improved Nelson-Mayall Lamp. 



Mr. E. Ward : (1) Wilks' Cells, for mounting without pressure in 

 balsam ; (2) 2 slides of young Sticklebacks. 



New Fellows. — The following were elected Ordinary Fellows : — 

 Messrs. Frank E. Beddard, M.A., J. P. McMurrick, M.A., John Potts, 

 T. B. Bedding, William Tarn, John Terry, and W. H. Walmsley, 



