380 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 



that at tlic end of it there was a slight hook-shaped irregularity. A 

 very delicate arrangement had been devised for causing the point to 

 be lifted automatically ; but the shock produced by the sudden arrest 

 of motion was translated on the end of each line by a hook. 



Mr. C. Beck exhibited a modification of the " Complete " lamp, 

 fitted with a shallow glass reservoir instead of the original one of 

 metal. It was thought this alteration would tend to prevent con- 

 densation or " sweating " of the parafiln upon the surface. Ho also 

 exhibited a " Vertical Illuminator," with a new form of diaphragm. 



Dr. Van Heurck's note was read sending a copy of Prof. 

 Abbe's opinion on the jihotographs of the " beads " of Amphipleura 

 pellucida, in which he stated that he had no reason to doubt the 

 reality of the beads. 



Mr. Crisp said that Prof. Hamilton Smith, who had had no little 

 experience on this question, was stated to doubt the reality of any 

 beaded structure in A. pcllucida, asserting that he can at any time 

 show the beaded appearance, " which is purely an illusion, and is 

 visible even with a 1/4 in. objective," and that the diatoms coated 

 with silver, jirepared by Dr. A. Y. Moore, have " failed to show any 

 peculiarity of marking in the hands of other competent observers."* 

 There was also a very curious misapprehension in connection with 

 this diatom discussion. Dr. Flogel, it would be remembered, in- 

 veighed somewhat strongly against Prof. Abbe's theory, which he 

 considered to be antagonistic to his researches. The fact was, how- 

 ever, that Prof. Abbe had always considered Dr. Flogel's methods of 

 investigation as the only proper and rational ones in regard to diatom 

 etriee, and his own theoretical views strongly confirmed this. 



Dr. J. D. Cox's note was read as to actinic and visual foci 

 (^supra, p. 331). 



Mr. Kitton's remarks in commendation of Balsam of Tolu were 

 read {suin-a, p. 352). 



Mr. Kitten also recorded the finding by Mr. E. Grove of a species 

 of the beautiful genus Asterompjhalus [A. flahellatus) in the stomach 

 contents of Ascidians collected on the Teignmouth coast. Perfect 

 frustules were frequently observed, which seemed to indicate that the 

 diatom had been recently living in that locality. It was associated 

 with numerous other forms. 



The Circular of the Treasurer of the American Society of 

 Microscopists inviting subscriptions to the Tolles Memorial Fund 

 was read. The Circular contained the following paragraph : — 



" In this connection it affords me great pleasure to announce to 



* See Amcr. Mon. Micr. Journ., vi. (1885) p. 32, 



